While Styrofoam is often used as a craft material, in some cases it can be used to create moldings, architectural arches and even mantels over fireplaces. To paint your Styrofoam mantel to look like real wood, use paints that are safe to use on Styrofoam and incorporate faux wood painting techniques to get the look you seek.
Instructions
1. Select a sample of the type of wood you would like to mimic.
2. Select your painting materials. The paint must be water-based and a stiff stencil brush delivers the best coverage. The colors you choose for the paint should be the lightest and darkest colors you see on the wood sample.
3. Tape off the edges of the mantel where it attaches to the wall.
4. Paint a base coat on the Styrofoam. This coat should be the lightest color you see on the wood sample. For blond woods, this will be a light yellow color. For darker woods like mahogany, this will be a dark tan or brown-red color. Use the bristle brush to paint all the cracks and crevices. The surface of Styrofoam is naturally rough, so you'll need to work hard to get the paint to thoroughly coat it. Paint the mantel two or three times, if necessary, to get an even finish. Water-based craft paint should dry quickly -- within a matter of minutes -- so wait for the paint to dry between coats.
5. Paint the wood grain over the base coat. This requires patience. Some woods have long, wiggly woodgrains that meet in the center of the wood in a V shape. Other types of wood have long, straight grains that are not as difficult to duplicate. Paint the woodgrain in the shape you see on the piece of wood you selected. Faux painters have special woodgraining combs they use when painting doors and firmer surfaces, but these could damage the structure of the Styrofoam. You'll have to duplicate the woodgrains by hand. Water down the paint as necessary to get the smoothest lines possible. Work to mimic the shape of the woodgrain by painting long, straight lines or wobbly, wiggly lines as necessary. Practice this step on a piece of practice foam first, so you can anticipate what sort of problems you may encounter. Wait for the woodgrain to dry.
6. Thin the paint you used for the woodgrain so it's transparent. Use water to thin the paint. Paint over the woodgrain with a coat of this color to soften the effect of the grain. The coat should be transparent so you can still see the woodgrain and the lighter color beneath.
7. Remove the painter's tape.
