what is the right foam is the question.
Im debating on carving a somewhat intricate shape that I want to mold and then pull a fiberglass copy from.
Nothing like a bumper or anything so I cant use drywall mudd to protect it.
Id like it to be very small celled foam. So that I can smooth it and cover it with primer or bondo. Obviously it has to be somewhat rigid. I dont want to try playing with cans of righstuff. It seems evertime I try to make a block of that I get huge air voids…
How big of a piece are you looking at?
If you e-mail these people and ask them about the properties of their foam, and let on that you might be in line for a big order, they will send you samples.
I have approximately 8"x10"x2" worth of foam that can be used in CNC machines. It’s high quality, closed cell, and VERY rigid.
hope this helps.
PS it’s the “Last-A-Foam” product
If you work for or know the genral plastics company, I am still going to make a large order. I’m going to end up making a whole car eventually
It depneds on what resin matrix you are going to use.
PER PUR foam only
Epoxy then PS or PUR foam
What is the size you need? PM me if you don’t want to post it here…
PUR…whats the full name?
Im guessing I can get it at fiberglass supply.
Ill need a couple blocks, never really sculpted but Im guessing it cant be too hard…hahahah yeah right.
Kinda scares me…Id need to be able to carve this by hand. With grinders and knives and stuff. If I had the shape cnc’d Id have a couple grand in it. Its more artsy than it is structured.
PUR = Polyurethane
Although brittle, floral foam is a cheap type of PUR foam. I use it to do my sculpting.
The general plastics is shapable by hand. Trust me, you should try it out. I can depress it with a fingernail and some good pressure.
Maybe I overstated it’s hardness, sorry if I lead you the wrong way with my description.
The green floral foam is another option, you just have to be carefull with it as you can ding and dent it fairly easy.
Try a higher density two part foam. Ive used floatation quality foam and it does form large air pockets.
If you find some structural quality foam, like 16# or so, it will form a much more dense brick.
On foam sheets and blocks:
It is rated by the weight (lbs) per cubic foot (12" x 12" x 12").
There’s like 2 lbs to nearly 45lbs per cubic foot rating.
PUR is in fact Polyurethane