Has anybody tried painting using the domestic vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner also comes with an attachment to spray liquid.

Shreekant

Yes, i am gonna use my vacuum cleaner. I just want to know the correct proportion of water to poster paint.

I have done a trial by spraying water to my plants before using paint. It works great. You just put a thumb over a small hole on the top and the water or paint sprays out and if you remove your thumb it doesn't spray out.

The vacuum cleaner is Euroclean X force http://www.eurekaforbes.com/vacuum-cleaners/euroclean-xforce.aspx

canned spray paints work best for me. took 2mins to colour my 36" span flying"wing"

But Rs:350 per can

What is the name of the paint and the brand? I bought canned spray paint here but it ate the foam totally.

Let me share my "desi" method of spray painting without pressurized cans / vacuum cleaner 

You will need the following:
- A regular toothbrush (does not have to be new)
- Some fabric / acrylic paint
- Cup of water
- Cello tape
- Knife / Scissor
- Stencil of the design you want on your plane on a heavy stock paper

The Process:
First, create a stencil for the design on heavy paper (card stock) and cut-out the parts that you want painted on the plane using a knife/scissor (Alphabet and other simple design stencils are available in stationary stores). 
Next, lay your stencil design on top of the plane (let's say wing) and tape the four corners with some cello-tape (we want temporary adhesion).
Third, take the toothbrush and soak it in water and then dip it in the paint of your choice (we don't want too much water, but initially the tooth brush has to be soaked in water). Now hold the paint dipped toothbrush between your thumb & index finger over the design and gently rub your thumb over the bristles of the tooth brush.
Lastly, repeat this process a few times and you will see a smooth/even spay design of the stencil pattern. Now let the paint dry and remove the cello-tape to reveal the actual design painted on the wings.

Word of advice:
Please practice this on some sample area before painting on your precious plane.

Can use those sketch pen blowers that sell for Rs.30/- Its a very simple blower - tube inside which you keep the sketch pen and then blow into the tube from the other end. You get a nice spray paint effect. Very easy and simple.

Quote from: rohitgupta322 on March 16, 2011, 12:21:14 PM
What is the name of the paint and the brand? I bought canned spray paint here but it ate the foam totally.

Its called 'RUST-OLEUM' specialty, flourescent spray paint. You got to hold the can 12" away from the target area & spray the MIST only..DO NOT allow the paint to drip on to the foam, as prolonged spraying (keeping the cap pressed for a long duration)will cause liquid to drip from the nozzel and it will eat into the foam!! One mistake we tend to make is that the cans are not shaken properly. Good amount of pressure has to be maintained in the can.

Good idea there Ritesh bhaiya but the point is that with that method I will not be able to paint the whole plane because it is too cumbersome.

I have decided to use fabric/acrylic paint with the vacuum cleaner, because i am really impressed with the outcome. Now, the last bit to know is what proportion of water and poster or fabric/acrylic paint is normally used?

How do i know that i have mixed too much water or too less? 

Anyone with the answer to the above question?

Alright, went to Starmark today and found the 100ml tubes of Raphael Acrylic colours http://www.raphael.fr/en/catalog/colors/color_acrylic.php . Each tube costs Rs 190. I wanted to confirm whether this can be used on foam, so tried to read what was written on the back of the tube, but it was all "greek" to me, continued reading and realized that it was "made in france", so it must have been "french". I didn't buy it. 

Anyhow, i asked the salesman and as expected he had no idea. So, now I ask the forum members, please refer to the site above and tell me whether this is foam-safe or not?

Quote from: Vector on March 16, 2011, 02:22:30 PM

Quote from: rohitgupta322 on March 16, 2011, 12:21:14 PM
What is the name of the paint and the brand? I bought canned spray paint here but it ate the foam totally.

One mistake we tend to make is that the cans are not shaken properly. Good amount of pressure has to be maintained in the can.

Shaking the can is required to mix the paint/solvent thoroughly.There is usually a ball inside that helps in this.  The pressure is purely from the propellant.

Rohit,
What you need to know is whether these have any solvents and what is that solvent. Generally words like toluene or similar would be spelt similar in all langauges. So as long as the script is Roman it should not pose any problems.
If it is in Cyrillic or other it would be pretty difficult to make out.

Other practical way is to buy tube/can and try it out on scrap piece to check suitability. This also gives you idea on coverage, colour depth etc and another tip is always start painting on the bottom/less visible area so that if you have any issues it would be easy to conceal  

And my research on the Raphael site indicates that the acrylic colours from the firm are water soluble. Therefore I am more or less convinced that these would be foam safe, but still a good idea to test on scrap piece before putting it on your pride and joy

With regards to post #1, be warned, the method of using your household vaccum cleaner would work perfectly if you want to paint your house/wall on a model it would make sure to leave a heavy coat of paint which might weigh in as much as your model itself, and you certainly do not want that.
Ask me how I know that 

Ok so found this on their website. Hope this gives a clearer picture of whether this could be used on foam.


"
Bright intense acrylic colour that dries to a satin finish. Large colour palette for great possibilities of colour mixing. Buttery oilpaint like texture, not too fluid, not too thick. High covering and colour power due to the quality and concentration of pigments.
Dries to a non-yellowing, non-resoluble, waterproof paint film. Colours are opaque and lightfast. Easy to use and manipulate
with brush or palette knife. Full body. Able to maintain impasto brushmarks and palette marks when dry. Will not crack when
dry. Apply on various non-greasy (preferably rigid) surfaces: paper, canvas, cardboard, wood, fabric... Dilute with Raphael
Gloss Medium for washes on sealed surface, such as gessoed canvas. Dilute with water for even washes on absorbent surface
such as paper. Able to be used for a wide variety of techniques and mixed media applications, such as collage, overlaying
colour, mixing with aggregates such as sand..."

So please anyone?

Rohit
I have used acrylic on depron and on Parkmaster they are fine, water based colour too ain't bad, used those too (Parkmaster Canopy)

I have used fevicryll on foam. Another thing one can do is to apply a coat or two of WBPU before painting.

Thanks everyone.