Author Topic: Expanding Polystyrene Tommy & James
posted 02-05-2000 09:50 AM
To anyone,

My business partner and I recently worked on the movie Anna and the King, filmed in Malaysia and are interested in learning the technique of expanding polystyrene. Both of us have searched endlessly on the net and haven't really found anything.

The Malaysian film and advertising industry in small and reletively new. No one has ever seen this done before and Tommy and myself, along with many others would like to know "How'd they do that".

If anyone out there can help we would be very grateful.

Sincerely,

James

Jeff F
posted 02-05-2000 08:09 PM
Cold foam systems are sold by Burman Foam, along with Videos and books.
http://www.burmanfoam.com/

And go to the online catalog. Search under rigid & flexible polyfoams. I have used flexible cold foams with good results, but they are best used outdoors due to the resulting Isocyanate gas (LETHAL!) and they are temperasture sensitive, so warm weather is a must. I made a batch in October in the US here, but had to warm the molds and blow hot air on them as the foam set up out in the garage.

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Jeff F - Magic and FX
Amazing the Masses

crazy lou
posted 02-06-2000 01:37 AM
i may be wrong, but polyfoam and expanded polystrene aren't the same thing. unless i'm thinking of something else expanded polystrene is the that foam that they insulate houses with (not styrofoam, but that denser colored foam, i've seen it in pink lately)

uh, am i wrong or just thinking of something else.

later
Tom?

lyvewyer
posted 02-06-2000 05:47 PM
if i remember my 5th grade science class, (which i barely do), polystyrene is styrofoam, i have no idea what that house insulation stuff is called

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I was normal once..... I didn't like it.

check my site www.angelfire.com/al2/NOViCE

Ale
posted 02-06-2000 11:50 PM
I think what you are looking for is “Polyurethane expanding foam”. It has an expanding ratio of about 1:20. It is vary strong, and we have used it to make a one wall set. They sell it in large containers for a lot of $$$. If you just want to make temporary movie sets, take a look at expanding “packing foam”, much less $$$ and looks puffier, expands about 1:200. We have an entire floor to sealing cave made out of that stuff, fragile but cool. Both can be panted (air brush recommended).

Ale

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