Painting foam letters!!!!!

[gibl5s]

I am in the process of trying to make some individual letters aprx. 18-22" tall.I am going to use 2" think foam. Now can anyone give me any advise on the font, and also the process in painting these.letters? I found some foam @ lowes. Is this the kind of foam that I need to get?
I appreciate any input to guide me through this. ( my first time!!!!)

[bleeth]

You can coat the foam with Shellac or Killz and then paint it what you want. You can also seal it with epoxy.
Is this a permanent installation?
Indoors or out?
The Font should reflect the purpose of the sign.
Although most signmakers will use HDU rather than "the pink stuff" there are those who use it in some circumstances due to it's low cost. It does need to be well sealed and some hardcoat it with various products including stucco.
Post in the signmaking section and you may get more response.

[gibl5s]

Thanks Dave, I am using this outside "in the weather".
I am still feeling my way around in this forum.
thanks Perry

[Mayo]

Any water based latex or acrylic house paint can be used.
The H.D. Behr brand with primer and paint covers well and seems to have more pigment than other brands I've tried. Flat finish hides defects, gloss finish will accent every little pit and ding.

Just make sure to clean off any dust or foam shavings before painting.
When you remove a little spec of foam after the paint has dried, it leaves a nice unpainted spot where it used to be.

I use compressed air to clean foam before painting but this can sometimes (depending on humidity) cause more static charge which attracts the little shavings right back to the foam. You can use water from a hose to wash off any dust but then you have to wait until everything is dry before painting.