Can I fiberglass over styrofoam?

[Wiski]

Don't laugh.

I have an old "floating lawn chair" that has plain old styrofoam for the float. It is getting a bit ratty, and I have been TOLD (by the better half) to get rid of it. I thought of prettying it up and keeping it, but want to seal in the foam. This has become somewhat of a mission.

Can I use fiberglass resin and cloth? Or will the resin eat away the styrofoam? Would white latex paint work to seal it first, then glass over it, or would the paint be durable enough?

[Looper]

I had a styrofoam sea-snark sail boat when I was 6. (Actually a Kool-Boat.) My dad glassed over the whole thing. It pretty much bonded to the outside somehow, but delaminated on the interior. Had blisters insided that filled with water that would squish around when you sat on it.

If you make it strong enough, it probably won't bond, but will hold up for a few years.

I know acetone will go right through a styrofoam cup, but I think you can mix resin/MEK without it melting it, unless you mix it too hot. Might want to test on a coffee cup to find out.

[Gerben]

Polyester should melt the foam.
Epoxy will not.

Gerben

[Reese]

the resin will eat both the syrofoam and latex paint...I'm not sure if it's the styrene or MEK or both...good luck

[RedAllison]

DITCH THE NAGGIN BYATCH!!!

lmao,
RA

First its the floatin easy chair, next it will be the boat or YOU!!!

[Wiski]

I will try the paint method, and see how long that will hold up. If I can get a year out of chair, then I WIN!

RA, I think I will keep her for a while anyway... I ain't the most handsome devil to start "shopping".

[Looper]

Gerben is right, it was epoxy. Polyester melts styrofoam.
Probably cheaper to buy a new chair.