I thought I would continue on with the clean up theme today. Yesterday’s tip “Tip of the Day: How do I clean up glitter?“, started with the leftover glitter. Today, we will move on to the snow flocking and any styrofoam that was left behind. We have sold quite a bit of crushed styrofoam that is used as artificial snow. Hopefully, this will make the cleanup a little more painless.

The main problem when cleaning up styrofoam and snow flocking is air current created in trying to pick it up and the fact that they produce quite a bit of static electricity. The static electricity is what can cause it to just seemingly blow away as you try to wipe it up especially when using a cotton rag. How can you kill both of these birds with one stone? Use anti-static spray. The link sends you to Walmart but it is pretty commonly available.

To use the anti-static spray, first spray a light layer on the snow flocking/styrofoam. The cleanup is most easily accompished with a shop vac or a vacuum that allows for attachements. On the tip of the shop vac or attachment, spray some of the anti-static spray. Try not to use the normal vacuuming motion of forward and back. Instead, dab at the piles of styrofoam from above. This will slow you down but ultimately help you to cleanup a greater amount.

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Hope this helps!

Styrofoam is a very popular choice among crafters who need a frame or shape to build on. Whether it be a custom colored and decorated cross or ball, styrofoam is pretty easy to use. The problem starts when you need the styrofoam to be a color other then the standard white or green. How do you paint styrofoam?

Do not use normal spray paint. The enamel in regular spray paint is corrosive to the styrofoam causing it to dissolve and be eaten away. The end product looks corroded and the surface layer will be pitted.

The answer is to use a latex or oil based paint applied maunally with a brush. Latex house paint is an example. Neither of these will destroy or corrode the styrofoam. It should be noted though that latex based paints have been known to have some issues with rubber. So before you combine rubber, styrofoam, and latex paint, make sure the label indicates it is safe for both.

Click on the link below to see our product lines in the following categories:

Spray Paint
Styrofoam

Hope this helps!

If you have ever worked with styrofoam, you know it can get very messy and frustrating. One of the classic uses of styrofoam is to take a block of it and create a shape out of it. If you did not know, there are many pre-made styrofoam shapes that can be found in our online store. However, if you need a shape that is not available, the only choice is to create it yourself. If you have never tried cutting styrofoam or been unsuccessful at it, this tip is for you!

We sell both a styrofoam sabre saw and a heated blade that slices through styrofoam. If one of these is not available to you or you do not have the time to get one, make sure you use a knife or saw that has a serrated edge to it, like most steak knives. The smaller the serrating (meaning more jaggedy edges per inch), the better.

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Hope this helps!

Have you ever seen a Halloween display and wondered how the cobweb effect was created? I am not talking about the cotton or thread factory created kinds. The kind that wrap figurines and have a much more random weave.

Here is what you need: two blocks of styrofoam, a hot glue pan, and the hot glue pan chips to place in the pan. Turn on the glue pan letting the glue heat and turn to liquid. Dip one block of styrofoam into it. Next, take the block of styrofoam and with the glue side facing down, push it against the other block of styrofoam. Pull them apart, and voila! You should have a web that has been created between the two blocks of styrofoam. Quickly rub the ends of the web onto whatever you would like it to be on.

If you are looking for the items, here are links to them:

Floralife Pan Melt Glue
Smithers Oasis Pan Melt Glue
Smithers Oasis Hot Glue Pan
Styrofoam Products

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Hope this helps!