Thread: Weatherproofing tombstones UK

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Hi guys. So last year I made three tombstones out of foam insulation board that I got at Wickes. I spraypainted them but didn't end up putting them out in the end. This year I'd like to do a small cemetary in our back yard (we don't have a front yard) BUT I don't know how to make them weatherproof? All these products you guys in the US use like Drylock, I don't think we have over here. Spoke to my friend (he who knows about these things) and he seemed to think that everything I could get to weatherproof them would melt the insulation, thus wrecking my tombstones. With our weather being the way it is, I'm 99% sure it will rain on Hallowe'en and I don't want my spraypaint to run. Plain foam insulation is NOT scary!

So, for anyone in the UK, do you know of a product that can weatherproof stones without melting the foam? Any help would be greately appreciated.

I'm guessing u used normal aerosol paint that you'd use on cars and such like.. in that case I imagine that would be ok. did that melt the foam at all?. we used PVA mixed in with our paint which u can pick cheap from asda or Wilkos for £1 or so. I'd try a test patch of pva on one of your stones. . fingers crossed for the weather

The grey I used was actually "Primer", because it was the only thing they had in the shop that said Matt Grey. All the rest were pearlised or glittery LOL. I don't really know what primer is. LMAO

Any exterior house latex (water-based) paint will be fine. In Britain I believe you call it 'emulsion paint'.

What you have to worry about is using oil-based paint. It has acetone in it. Acetone is also an ingredient found in spray paints. Acetone is the chemical that eats away foam.

I like to use acetone in a controlled way to eat away the foam to add etching, aging and other decayed effects. But, afterward, you paint your stone with the latex (or Emulsion) paints to protect the foam from the elements.

hope that helps

I don't weather proof my stones at all...no need to weather proof the foam...I used a basic interior primer then spray painted my stones...no issues at all.