U.B. Fine Art, a Phoenix Arizona fine art firm, is using the next generation of polyurethane plastic encapsulation coatings ("hard coats" or DuraFoam) for foam. These spray-applied, two component polymers protect fragile, lightweight foams from impact, abrasion and water intrusion. The process transforms soft foam into a hard surface that can be finished to appear like stone, wood, metal or any other material.

The product is a two-component polyurethane that is spray-applied directly to expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane foam (PUF), wood or other substrates. Within 5-20 seconds, the polyurethane begins curing to form a hard (4800+ psi/33.3MPa) chemical-resistant and moisture-resistant coating. The coating is dry to the touch within seconds of being sprayed, and it can be sanded, primed or painted within minuteThis fast set production process means you can produce more parts, faster than conventional polyester fiberglass or epoxy mastic encapsulation systems.

DuraFoam gives specialty prop, stage scenery, fine art and architectural fabricators the ability to coat their lightweight foam products in a production-line fashion. DuraFoam is perfect for making any size lightweight props with foam. We can turn around foam encapsulated props and scenery in a fraction of the time it would take to make them with polyester fiberglass or other hard coating materials. "When it comes to creating cost effective, highly detailed architectural trim, traditional EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing Systems) are being replaced by modern fast-set polyurethane/foam composite systems. The result means improved production times and reduced labor."