hey just wondering if anyone could help me i'm tying to make my first custom playset..And it is coming along pretty good i'm just not sure how to make the walls look like concrete could anyone help me out???

_________________

With foamcore, due to that sheet of cardboard/paper covering the styrofoam, I'm sure. The best I would say is if you maybe use some rough sandpaper and lightly sand the surface. Don't press too hard so that it just roughens the cardboard up. Hit it with some acrylic based paint and it should look good. You can't use spraypaint though since it'll eat the foam.

_________________

Maybe use http://www.joedios.com/dioramas/showimage.php?i=36&c=8 ??

_________________

This site has some good tips

http://www.009.cd2.com/members/how_to/nouaillier_a.htm

_________________

It just seems like more work that necessary to use foamcore. But then I haven't bothered to try too much with it. The few things I did do, I always ran into the issue of fighting the foam. Then I like to spray paint most everything and that eats the foam.

But yeah, give that site Darko posted, or just print out the pattern like roguetiger suggested. Those are 2 good options. Foamcore just scares me.

_________________

I would say use spackle and a sponge. Scoop a little spackle onto a paper plate. Dab the side edge of the dry sponge, the cheap ones that are hard when they dry work great, and then blot it onto the foamcore. Apply a very thin coating, you dont want the texture to be too deep. If you want it to look like cinderblock you can use the edge of a ruler to push lines into the wet spackle. When it is dry you can then paint it. If you spackled the edges of teh foam core you could even spraypaint it when you are done.

_________________

Spray texture at any art store. I forget the actual name of the stuff, but you spray it on and its in wacky colors that you can just paint over. Usually in the spray paint area.

_________________

careful spray texture will have some of the same solvent properties as spray paint.

_________________

Use a foam cutter.

_________________

I use the Mi-Tientes textured art papers which come on a huge sheet for under $3.00, and just adhere it to a 20 X 30 sheet. You can find it in Michael's and Jo-Ann Fabrics. Or Pearl Paint if you have one near.

Doc showed me a neat way using the DecoArt Sno-Tex, layered out thin on the foamboard, and then scored with a tool to simulate cracks and mortar lines. Painted up, it even feels like concrete.

_________________

Get some free latex paint off of craigslist and then stiple it on with an big old ratty paint brush, and then paint over it with gray. Like this guy here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP6_aFyM5Q0.

Or glue tissue paper to the foam core, then paint over it with watered down glue. Also you can spread a thin layer of wood putty over the surface and paint over it.

as long as you keep it on the paper, and away from the foam, it should be OK, no?

or, you can add sand to any regular paint for texture, or get that spray popcorn for home ceilings. i keep that on hand, it was like four bucks.

_________________

Here's what I did with foam core and wood putty/filler.

Gotta say again, that johnwayne technique is amazing!

fleckstone... thats what i was trying to think of. it sprays on texture (in crap colors), then you paint if however you want it to look.

_________________