Surface Treating Foam for casting

[FrankG]

Here is an update to http://www.theworkshop.ca dealing with surface coating Foam Plugs to improve the quality of the casting...

http://www.theworkshop.ca/metcastmach/f ... /lfmc4.htm

I'm now set-up for Macro shots for crisp surface images.

Frank
http://www.theworkshop.ca

[Gail]

Great Web site Frank. Thanks.

To improve surface finish on lost foam casting, I use thin plastic packing tape on surfaces that do not have conpound curves. Burns away cleanly.

When using white glue for assembly of small foam patterns, 10 seconds in a micorwave oven causes the white glue to set very quickly so you can keep working.

[FrankG]

Hey Gail,

I think I'll try the glue & Microwave tip, but add some of the glue to the thinned latex paint, to make a thicker/harder surface before applying the hi-temp paint...

I would have thought the foam would have melted in the microwave, but I'll keep the times short as noted...

Frank
http://www.theworkshop.ca

[wanderer]

Thanks for the virtual tour of your shop! The more I see the better an idea I get as to the why,what and how I am going to do in creating my little foundry!
Thanks Again
wanderer
Gentry's Garage
PS do you know about/of any castable foam?

[Gail]

Frank,
The foam is almost transparent to the microwave energy so does not get hot on its own. Just like a styrene coffee cup. The moisture in the glue is all that the microwave affects so time is not critical. Some glues might take more time.