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PROTECTING YOUR WORLD

Polyurea Hard Coat
for Foam, Theming
& Props

How polyurea hard coat turns carved EPS foam into durable signs, sculptures, theming and architectural shapes, and how it compares with fiberglass and cement coatings.
Hard Coat Quotes

Signs, theming or props? Get them hard coated.

Tell us the piece size, quantity and where it will live. We will connect you with a certified applicator.

  • Piece type and size
  • Number of pieces
  • Indoor or outdoor
  • Finish and color
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Seconds
Gel time: builds on vertical foam
Product data sheets
No solvent
100% solids will not melt EPS foam
Product data sheets
Sandable
Can be sanded, primed and painted
Product data sheets
Outdoor
UV-stable finish for exterior pieces
Industry practice

Polyurea hard coat is a rigid, high-hardness polyurea sprayed over foam to create a tough shell. Theme parks, sign makers, prop shops, event builders and architectural fabricators use it to turn lightweight carved EPS foam into pieces that survive weather, handling and the public. It is faster than fiberglass layup, lighter than cement coatings and does not melt foam the way many solvent coatings do.

Quick answer

Polyurea hard coat is a fast-curing, rigid polyurea sprayed over EPS or other foam to give it a hard, impact-resistant, waterproof shell. It is used for monument signs, sculptures, theming, props, architectural moldings and floating structures. A typical process is carve the foam, spray the hard coat in multiple passes, sand, prime and paint with a UV-stable finish. Compared with fiberglass, it is faster and seamless; compared with cement coatings, it is lighter and less prone to cracking.

Start here

What polyurea hard coat is used for

Signs

Monument and dimensional signs

Carved foam letters and monument signs with a hard shell that takes paint.

Theming

Theme parks and attractions

Rockwork, sculptures and props that face weather and crowds. See theme coatings.

Architecture

Moldings and shapes

Cornices, columns and trim made from foam and hard coated for exterior use.

Events

Stage sets and displays

Lightweight pieces that survive repeated setup and transport.

Marine

Floats and docks

Hard-coated foam floats and buoys resist impact and water.

Custom

Fabrication and art

Large sculptures and one-off pieces where molds do not make sense.

Compare

Hard coat vs fiberglass vs cement coatings

FactorPolyurea hard coatFiberglass resinCement / plaster coating
SpeedSprays and cures in minutesLayup and cure takes hours to daysMultiple coats, days to cure
WeightLightLight to mediumHeavy
ImpactTough, slightly resilientHard, can crackBrittle, cracks
Foam compatibilityNo solvent to melt EPSPolyester resin attacks EPS without a barrierCompatible
SeamsSeamlessSeams at lapsSeamless
EquipmentPlural-component sprayerHand layup or chopper gunHopper gun or trowel
Typical comparison; check product data sheets.
Do it right

The hard coat process

  1. Shape the foam

    Carve, cut or CNC the EPS and glue up sections.

  2. Prepare

    Remove dust and loose beads; seal the foam if the data sheet calls for it.

  3. Spray

    Apply hard coat in multiple passes to the specified thickness.

  4. Sand and detail

    Sand high spots and add detail as needed.

  5. Prime and paint

    Prime and finish with a UV-stable paint or aliphatic topcoat.

Field noteThickness, not hardness alone, drives impact resistance. Edges and corners need extra passes because that is where pieces get hit.
Get set up

Equipment and training

Hard coat is sprayed with heated plural-component equipment like other polyureas. ArmorThane supplies coatings, proportioners and complete spray rigs, and trains crews. See our polyurea spray guide and aromatic vs aliphatic polyurea.

Polyurea hard coat

Foam that takes a beating.

Talk to a certified ArmorThane applicator about hard coating signs, sculptures, theming and props.

Contractors: become an ArmorThane applicator

FAQ

Polyurea hard coat questions

What is polyurea hard coat?

A rigid, fast-curing polyurea sprayed over foam to give it a hard, impact-resistant and waterproof shell.

Can polyurea be sprayed on EPS foam?

Yes. 100%-solids polyurea contains no solvent to dissolve the foam, which is why it is widely used to hard coat EPS.

Can you paint polyurea hard coat?

Yes. After sanding and priming as needed, it can be painted. Outdoor pieces should get a UV-stable finish.

How thick should hard coat be?

It depends on use and exposure. Pieces that will be touched, climbed or handled need more thickness, especially at edges.

Is hard coat better than fiberglass over foam?

It is faster, seamless and foam-safe without a barrier coat. Fiberglass can be stiffer for structural parts. Many fabricators now use hard coat for most foam work.

AT
Written by the ArmorThane technical team. We have manufactured polyurea, polyurethane and polyaspartic coatings, spray foam and plural-component spray equipment in Springfield, Missouri since 1989. Product selection should follow the specific product data sheet.

Sources

  1. Polyurea Development Association resources. pda-online.org
  2. EPS Industry Alliance, expanded polystyrene resources. epsindustry.org

Shape it in foam, armor it with polyurea.

Fabricators and sign shops can add hard coat with our equipment and training, with no franchise fee and no royalties.

United States 417-831-5090 · Canada 780-444-6200

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