Panders Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Saddo that I am, I have been saving the polystyrene bases which pizzas sit on for quite some time, now have enough for a little starry activity with them. Do you think normal liquid paint will stick to the polystyrene, maybe with some pva in it, or should I get something else, or only collage the stars with as much glittery trash as we can lay our hands on. They are quite large stars, well some of them are!
fimbo Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 ive never painted polystyrene, but i would add pva to paint to paint them, then 'glitterfy' them !!! they will look gorgeous. you must use glitter, its the law at christmas
HoneyPancakes Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 I don't know about other paints but just don't use spray paints or anything with any solvents in them unless you're after a cratered effect. Honey
emmajess Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Is it one of those health and saftey myths about not using polystyrene in schools because it doesn't show up on x-rays?
Fredbear Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Ooh you pizza queen, what a great idea, Yes i would suggest to put the pva too, with glitter as compulsory enjoy and sparkle.
Guest Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 Is it one of those health and saftey myths about not using polystyrene in schools because it doesn't show up on x-rays? That's what I thought so have never used it, but perhaps it's a myth - maybe someone could enlighten us!
Froglet Posted December 2, 2011 Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) I don't know whether there are any rules or not but I do know that this afternoon I have been using what appear to be sort of compressed polystyrene balls to make the heads of some nativity characters. They've been lurking in our school art cupboard for ages and I'm sure were bought officially. Mind you, I suppose they could have been bought before any rules existed As for paint - I just used ordinary ready mix paint, nothing added. It worked, a bit streaky in places and tricky to get read solid dark colours it's worked fine for what I needed. The only think is that it took ages to try because the polystyrene didn't absorb any of it. Edited December 2, 2011 by HelenD26
Panders Posted December 2, 2011 Author Posted December 2, 2011 Thanks guys. I'm not too concerned about H&S to be honest. The children are very sensible and won't get an opportunity to eat the polystyrene. These will be large dinnner plate sized stars which are going to be hung in the hall as decorations, they could go home, but it's not necessary really. Hadn't thought about the drying process at all so thank you Helen. Will have to try out tomorrow. Going into work anyway to finish off painting some scenery so will give it a quick go. If it proves diff, will just go with the glue and glitteratti brigade
sunnyday Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Hmmmm.........just sounds like a good excuse to feed your family nothing but pizza for weeks - good plan - wish I'd thought of it!
Panders Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 Have to admit, they are pretty sick of the sight of pizzas at the moment! The "idea" struck last Christmas as I watched the card stars groaning under the weight of glittery trash being glued to them, that we needed something more substantial, had light bulb moment over polystyrene pizza base and we have been eating them pizzas ever since Popped into work this morning quickly to try out the silver paint we had (don't suppose any of the little darlings will want silver paint now anyway), it is an acrylic silver paint called Scola I've painted one star, at least it has stuck to the surface. Any other colours will need pva I think
Guest Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 It's not a myth about the polystyrene, however I don't think you would apply it in this case. It's more about not giving children under 5 polystyrene balls (the tiny ones) or other polystyrene packaging in case they ingest it. Some LAs actually have this in their rules or guidance for settings. I can't see these stars being a problem though, that's just about using common sense and I doubt any child's going to be trying to take a bite out of them! Also as far as I know it's usually only applied to under fives though I might be wrong there. I think it sounds like a fab idea and I'm seriously considering starting my own collection of these!
Guest Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) Sorry, Firefox keeps double posting for some reason! Edited December 3, 2011 by Guest
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