Painting foam rubber

[Scruffy]

Okay, folks, I've just finished carving a pretty menacing looking anvil out of an old couch cushion. I used an electric knife. I HIGHLY recommend the GE model number 106612. Electric knife with carving set. it has a meat blade, a bread blade and a carving fork. plus a case.
I bought mine at goodwill on a half off sale for $3.50!!! What you want is the bread knife blade. It will slice beautifully through foam.
Any body got a good, way to color it black. In the past, I have spray painted foam. It doesn't look very good and, it can make the edges coarse and scratchy. Not the kind of thing you potentially want to take in the face. I have heard of using fabric dye to do it. However, I was hoping someone with more experience might share some insight.

Thanks!
Scruffy

[ibimus]

I would suggest soaking it in a fabric dye, such as RIT. It may take several soakings to get a really good colour, but that stuff lasts forever once it's on...

[Jamz]

I talked to Dabbles who makes foam props and teaches a class in it and he uses latex paint that you can get at a craft store
He said the latax makesit flexable

[saphireSue]

at a build a puppet class, they recommened using floral spray to spray your foam.

[Shoq T. Clown]

latex paint would be your best bet scruff! make sure you get more than what you think you need... becuase your dealing with absorbant material!

[Scruffy]

Thanks to all! I guess latex paint wins the day. I'll post a pic when its done.
Toodles,
Scruffy

[stitches]

Fabric Dye does not dye all types of fabric. Works best on cotton. I really doubt that foam is made from cotton.

[Gladman]

Scruff, Latex should work. I would thin the first coat or two so it won't build up too fast before the black has a chance to penetrate. Otherwise it may flake off later on as you hammer your styrofoam horse shoes, or when you drop the thing on your foot, or trip over it and smash your nose into the forge...
Gladman

[buttonstclown]

Floral spray paint is what I've used (as per Peachy Keene). Works great.

[Scruffy]

Thank you, Buttons!