How to spray paint Styrofoam balls

Styrofoam balls are a great product for craft projects, including science, holiday, pre-school and home decorating crafts. Spray paining a Styrofoam ball is tricky, however, as a directly spray painted Styrofoam ball can melt under a heavy coating of certain paints. There are ways to spray paint a Styrofoam ball that will keep it from melting.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Styrofoam ball
• fabric
• aluminum foil
• flat top push pins
• wooden skewers

1. First cover a Styrofoam ball in aluminum foil or fabric. Aluminum foil can be wrapped around the ball in a single layer. It may take some work to get the surface flat and fabric may make for a more rounded look if you need the Styrofoam to look smooth. Push pins will not be needed for aluminum foil. If using fabric, wrap in a single layer and place push pins in the places the fabric does not lay down or is overlapping and creating a raised area.

2. Stick a wooden skewer in the Styrofoam ball. It is best to use skewers with a pointed end that will go through the fabric or aluminum foil.

3. Hold the Styrofoam ball up by the wooden skewer and begin spraying with spray paint. Hold the can at least 8 inches away to avoid pools of paint and dripping. The first layer may not cover the entire ball completely.

4. Allow the ball to dry by setting it upright by placing the skewer in a foam block or other mode of keeping it stationary while drying.

5. Apply another layer as in step 3. Allow to dry and then continue with craft project as planned.

Tips & Warnings

• Use fabric scraps, the thinner the better, to wrap the Styrofoam ball. The fabric will not show after it is spray painted.
• Styrofoam balls can be painted without covering by using acrylic paint and a paintbrush. This difference is a more smooth surface, however, it takes more time.