Vanillacryl is no longer available through Special Effect Supply.

Our supplier proved to be undependable. We have replaced it with a series of new materials called Steve's Products which you can find [HERE].

We still do recommend Vanillacryl if you can get your hands on it. It was an excellent product, and unlike our products it was weather tested. Also, it has been a number of years since we carried it so our information may be out of date. Please peruse the web for the latest data. Don't call us, we only provide information about the products that we do sell.

Again, Vanillacryl is no longer available from Special Effect Supply, it has been replaced with Steve's Products.

Interested in custom cut styrofoam blocks?

As you know, expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) has its advantages and disadvantages. It's big advantage has always been that it is cheap and easy to get. It is being used more and more for architectural shapes and thanks to the Vanillacryl coating we are seeing it used for outdoor signage.

When do you want to use Styrofoam instead of polyurethane foam? Please consider the following:

Polyurethane foam is expensive and can't be cut with a hot wire. The isocyanate in urethane is potentially harmful to humans and animals. One major advantage of polyurethane is that it can be carved precisely. Flame-retarded polyurethanes are available. Vanillacryl can be used on many polyurethane foams, but not all of them.

On the other hand Styrofoam is very cheap and easy to get and it can be cut with a hot wire. In a fire it melts, so talk to your fire marshal to make sure it is OK to use in your situation. Vanillacryl does have some flame-retardant characteristics. Because Styrofoam can be cut in long shapes it is great for moldings, fake beams, timbers and the like. The big disadvantage with Styrofoam has always been it's fragile nature. Props made from Styrofoam often don't even survive storage. Vanillacryl solves this problem by creating a hard skin that is tough. Because it is rated for outdoor use, it is great for displays (including signs) that need to hold up for a long time. Because it is water-based, latex acrylic paint sticks to it really well. In terms of cost, ease of use, ease of cleanup and environmental considerations, Vanillacryl is wonderful compared to fiber-glassing over polyurethane foam. Styrofoam will dissolve when exposed to certain solvents.

Vanillacryl Hard Foam Coat: It's a weather-based, interior-exterior polystyrene foam coating system that dries to a hard durable finish.

Vanillacryl is used for: Interior, exterior foam projects - signs, rocks, architectural shapes, columns, movie sets. Coats foam creations of any kind.

How to apply: It is similar to a thick latex paint. Use brush, roller, or pressure-pot sprayer. When dry, coating is comparable to a urethane coating, but much easier to sand and cut. Stir like crazy before and during use.

How it dries: You use it straight out of the can. It air dries, 1st coat 3 to 4 hours, 2nd coat 2 hours approximately. Drying times are extended in humid weather or cool temperatures.

When you can paint it: Dry to touch after all coats have been applied. We recommend a quality latex paint or stain. Oil or lacquer, let Vanillacryl dry 2-3 days to avoid trapping moisture.

Vanillacryl Tricks:

• If you need to preserve a paper mache mask, simply paint it with Vanillacryl.

• Use Vanillacryl instead of wheat paste for super strong, water resistant paper
mache.

• If you need more strength simply paint in a layer of cheesecloth or fiberglass
between layers of Vanillacryl.

• You can cut, machine and sand Vanillacryl.

• If you want a hollow shape simply paint the Styrofoam with Vanillacryl and
then dissolve the middle out with solvent. (I haven't tried this yet, if you do this
please let me know how it works.)

• If you want a rough texture mix sand into the Vanillacryl.

• If you want larger bumps mix loose Styrofoam beads into your Vanillacryl.

• If you are using Styrofoam as an armature for a sculpture, use Vanillacryl to
seal the surface so that your sculpting clay will stick to it. Vanillacryl will lock
the beads together so they don't fall out.

Precautions: Do not freeze. Do not use when temperatures, materials are below 55 degrees. Freezing may cause coating to thicken. Agitation will restore to original form. Not recommended for continuous submersion or below the water line.

Warning- Keep out of reach of children. Do not eat. In case of accidental ingestion, contact physician immediately. If product comes into contact with eyes, flush repeatedly with water for fifteen minutes and seek medical attention immediately. If product gets onto skin, wash with soap and water. OSHA dust nuisance, when sanding or disturbing dry coating. Wear an appropriate respiration device when using product. NOISH/MSHA approved. Spills, clean up immanently with soap and water.

Coverage- 3-4 coats 35 to 50 square feet of coverage per gallon.

Directions for use- Mix well before each use and periodically while using. Keep container closed when not in use. Apply with paint brush, roller, pressure pot spray device.

1st Coat- Thin Vanillacryl Foam Hard Coat with water (thinning should be done in a separate container for longer shelf life). May be thinned up to 20% with water, may require additional coating for hardness. Applying the first coat is a base coat covering the surface evenly. (We recommend 1 pound polystyrene bead foam). The first coat is part of the hard coat process, Vanillacryl foam hard coat penetrates the surface creating a honeycomb, screen effect around the beads on the foam surface. (As fiberglass screen mesh works in synthetic stucco systems). Best if apply 65-85 degrees. Thin coats dry within hours, thick coats take 6-8 hours drying time before 2nd coat can be applied. Weather, climate, humidity, and temperatures may increase or decrease drying time. Always apply to a test surface and get to know this product.

2nd Coat- Apply when first coat is dry, or dry to touch. Apply a little thicker than the 1st base coat. Always let applied coats dry 2-3 hours before force drying with heat, sun, fan to avoid skin separation. Skin separation- Occurs with hot conditions, forced drying. Fill in separation cracks with a wood filler or automotive bondo. Vanillacryl foam hard coat may skin within 5-10 minutes. Mist with water (spray bottle) or wet paint brush and feather wet. When spraying-thick coats may sag and run, wet a paint brush and feather.

3rd and more coats- Repeat 2nd coat. (3-4 coats recommend 5-6 high traffic areas.)

Last coat- Let dry overnight before painting. Vanillacryl foam hard coat dries semi-hard in the first few days, within about 5 days, durable hard, in 2-3 weeks extremely hard.

Painting- You may paint after last coat has been applied and is dry to touch (painting will not effect the hard coat process). Paint with a water base latex paint. Let dry 2-3 days before painting with oils, lacquers, and polymers to avoid trapping moisture. High temperatures may soften the hardness but will be restored with lower temperatures.

Clean up- Soap and water, brushes, tools, spray equipment, clean immediately after use, Vanillacryl foam hard coat is resistant to most chemicals when dry.

WARRANTY- The consumer shall satisfy themselves with the suitability of this product for the intended purpose, weather, skill, and surface conditions are beyond manufactures control. We therefore limit our liability on Vanillacryl foam hard coat. The information in this technical bulletin is based on data obtained by our own research and is considered accurate. However, no warranty is expressed or implied regarding the accuracy of this data, the results to be obtained from the use thereof. This information is furnished upon the condition that the person receiving it shall make his own tests to determine the suitability thereof for his particular purpose. Sales specifications, although current at time of publication, are subject to change due to process improvements. For a MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet click below.