Creating a buoy?

[momo3]

Hi
I am not a sculptor, but an artist. I want to make a prototype of a bouy (Sp?).

I wanted to make it from foam. And then could I cover the foam with something to "plasticize" it?

Any suggestions on what I could use to make a buoy?

THank you

[Arrow]

Polyester resin and fiberglass would be durable and lowest cost choice. Polyester will melt most foams, so a sealing layer would be required ie. petroleum jelly.

Or you could go with a polyurethane hard coat. Much more user friendly material. Easy to apply if you have a hopper gun + air compressor. No sealing of the foam is required.

http://www.industrialpolymers.com/styrospray.html

[momo3]

wow. Any suggestions on how do start doing this? I have no experience in this field.

[ironman]

Hi Momo3, Your first sentence is funny. You say, "I am not a sculptor, but an artist."
What do you think we are?
Arrow gave good advice and there are others on this sight with lots of experience in plastics.
You can get 2" foam blue board at a lumber yard, glue it together with liquid nails or acrylic polymer emulsion, carve it with a sureform, etc.
Have a nice day,
Jeff

[fused]

Back up and start again with a few potential specifics about this buoy,
such as how big and the potential function you have in mind.

These could easily effect your materials
and methods employed to make it.

[momo3]

Sorry Ironman, I know you guys are all artists. I juts have never worked in 3D before.

Thanks for the info guys.

My object will float and stand about 4 feet out of the water.

If I got he foam sheets and glued them, what would I use for glue? Thanks

[momo3]

Not sure if I want the one that I create to be fully functional. But I would if possible. If I carved from foam, is htere some plastic stuff I could spray on it to make it durable in the water?

I have no tools, experience, not really a workshop.. etc.

Sorry my postings are brief, sneaking this in at work

[momo3]

ok so what about getting foam, carving it, then covering it with polyester resin?

Can I get all the materials at home depot?

[momo3]

i pretty mcuh want to make this buoy to be durable, but nto something super hardcore. I want to carve it with supplies that I can get without ordering stuff from afar.

It doesnt' have to be perfect, I dont care if it looks crude

I just want something cheap and easy

Woud foam covered with polyurethane or polyester resin be my best bet?

And could I spraypaint it?

[momo3]

And fused:

My buey is goign to be a novelty thing. I dont really want to state my idea as its something I am thiking of marketing. It will not be that detailed. It is nothing much differnet than a cylander stickign out from the water.

Again guys sorry I am brief, writing from work.

[fused]

A cylinder sticking out of the water with Home Depot supplies, eh?

1) PVC pipe, of appropriate length and volume with end caps that fit.
also some pvc solvent/glue to join them. Other pvc parts could be attached as well if you see any you like in the store.

2) Urethane insulating foam, comes in a can.

3) Something to act as ballast at the lower end and possibly an eyelet or hook at the bottom to secure buoy with a tie off or anchor.

Could also be a threaded rod that passes through entire length of buoy with nuts and washers (or cap nuts) at each end. Also some silicone or rubber gasket to seal them when attached.

Seal one end of PVC, add rod through it, add ballast, squirt full of foam, trim off excess, add top, paint appropriately and toss in the waterway.

[momo3]

i want this thing to be about 1 foot thick, 5 feet or so high. Maybe 6 feet high.

So the foam would have to Surround the PVC pipe...

[fused]

No... the foam goes inside and the pfc wouldn't require a coating. If you can't find large enough pvc --there is 1'+ D pvc pipe--
then sona-tube is another option. It's used as a cylindrical form for pouring concrete pilings & piers.

The foam inside makes it buoy (http://static.flickr.com/75/163597059_4933685853.jpg)ant and a little ballast at the bottom floats it vertical.

[momo3]

oh sorry to throw you off. The object isn't a perfect cylindar. Its got some shape to it. I'd pretty much like the rod to go inside of the foam

How can I upload an image ? I will draw it..

[momo3]

C:\Documents and Settings\marmat\Desktop\crudediagram.jpg

[momo3]

Anyone else? I really need to do this today. I just want to coat the creation with this. I have made it from green foam, sorta cheap aireated stuff. I now want to cover it.

Any ideas of where I can get fiberglass materials? I tried a bit of polyurethane for coating furniture, and it didnt' work so hot, likely because of the pores in the foam.