A clean, plain‑English glossary for the materials we use in our studio builds. Skim it while you plan, or keep it open on your phone at the hardware store. Each entry includes what it is, when to use it, and a short note.
Key Takeaways
- Pick your substrate first… acrylic, PVC foam board, birch ply, or aluminum composite. Then choose a finish and a safe mounting method.
- Use water based primers, paints, and clear coats when possible for low odor indoor projects.
- For foam shaping, pair EVA or XPS with contact cement or hot glue and finish with a hardcoat or flexible paint.
- Outdoor or wet areas need rated fixtures, GFCI power, sealed edges, and removable access where wiring lives.
Niko’s Note 🐾 Test finishes on scrap first. Label the back with the exact combo so future you knows what worked.
How to Use This Glossary
- Scan by letter and tap the term you need.
- Use When to use for quick decision making.
- Check Notes for bonding, safety, or finish pairing.
A to Z Materials Table
| Term | What it is | When to use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic sheet | Rigid plastic sheet, clear or frosted | Clean plates, backlit signs, splash guards | Score and snap thin sheets or cut with fine tooth jigsaw; polish or sand edges for glow |
| Adhesion promoter | Wipe or spray that helps paint or vinyl stick | Smooth plastics, powder coat, or chrome surfaces | Light coat, then paint or vinyl within the recoat window |
| Aluminum Composite Panel (ACP/Dibond) | Thin aluminum skins on a plastic core | Slim, premium looking signs and bars | Cuts clean, stays flat, accepts vinyl well |
| Balsa wood | Very light, soft wood | Quick mockups, small trim | Seals quickly; dents easily |
| Baltic Birch plywood | Stable multi ply wood | Frames, panels, jigs | Minimal voids; takes stain and paint well |
| Bondo (body filler) | Two part polyester filler | Fast, hard fills and edge rebuilds | Sands smooth; use in ventilated area |
| CA glue (cyanoacrylate) | Fast super glue | Small parts, edge tacks before screws | Pair with accelerator; brittle under flex |
| Contact cement | Brush on adhesive that bonds when two coated faces meet | EVA foam seams, laminates | Ventilate; align carefully, no slide time |
| Dual Lock (3M) | Reclosable mushroom fastener | Removable panels, access doors | Stronger than standard hook and loop |
| E6000 | Flexible craft adhesive | Mixed materials that need flex | Slow cure; good for small loads |
| Edge banding | Thin strip that hides plywood edges | Clean furniture like edges on exposed ply | Iron on or contact cement |
| Enamel paint | Hard wearing paint | Small metal parts, high touch hardware | Longer cure; glossy unless topcoated matte |
| Epoxy (2 part) | Resin and hardener forming a hard plastic | Clear embed, high strength bonds, sealing edges | Watch mix ratio and pot life |
| EVA foam | Flexible closed cell foam sheets | Props, dimensional logos, soft corners | Cut with sharp knife; heat formable |
| Filler primer | High build spray primer | Hide print lines or small scratches | Sands to a smooth base |
| Foam board (paper faced) | Lightweight board with paper skins | Mockups, stencils | Not water friendly; cuts with craft knife |
| French cleat | Interlocking angled hanger | Heavy panels, lighted signs | Easy lift off for service; hit studs where possible |
| Gaffer tape | Cloth tape that peels clean | Temporary wire management | Do not leave on finished wood long term |
| Gesso | Acrylic primer for porous surfaces | Base under paint on foam or wood | Sands smooth; white or tinted |
| GFCI | Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlet | Any damp or outdoor zone | Test monthly; code varies by region |
| Hardcoat for foam | Brush or spray shell over foam | Durable props or signs | Options include polyurethane and specialty coats |
| Heat gun | Hot air tool | Shape EVA foam, shrink wraps | Keep moving to avoid scorching |
| Hook and loop | Standard Velcro style fastener | Light removable panels | Easy to reposition; not structural |
| Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) | Surface prep solvent | Final wipe before paint or vinyl | Use 70 to 91 percent on a lint free cloth |
| Jigsaw fine tooth blade | Acrylic and metal cutting blade | Tight curves in sheet goods | Go slow to avoid melting |
| Kraft paper | Masking and protection roll | Protect worktops, mask overspray | Tape edges so it does not lift |
| LED strip (12 or 24 V) | Low voltage flexible lights | Edge light, under shelf, accent | Pair with UL listed driver and diffuser |
| Masking film | Static cling or adhesive film | Clean paint edges and protection | Burnish edges for crisp lines |
| MDF | Medium density fiberboard | Flat, paint ready panels | Heavy; avoid wet zones; pre drill |
| Mineral spirits | Solvent for oil finishes | Wipe on oils, cleanup | Ventilate; dispose rags safely |
| Oil finish (Tung, Danish, Rubio) | Penetrating wood treatments | Natural look frames and trims | Wipe excess; allow full cure |
| Paint (acrylic latex) | Water based wall paint | Large panels, foam with primer | Low odor; topcoat matte for camera |
| Plasti Dip | Flexible rubberized coating | Grip zones, foam surfaces | Multiple light coats |
| Plywood | Layered wood sheet | General construction, frames | Edge band for clean look |
| Polycrylic | Water based clear coat | Clear topcoat indoors | Dries clear; low yellowing |
| Polyurethane (water based) | Tough clear coat | High wear surfaces | Choose matte for low glare |
| Primer (water based) | First coat that helps paint stick | Any raw wood or PVC foam board | Sand lightly between coats |
| PVC foam board (Sintra style) | Lightweight plastic sheet | Indoor signs, arrows, vinyl graphics | Knife cut or jigsaw; sands easily |
| Respirator (P100) | Protective mask for dust and fumes | Cutting, sanding, spraying | Store in bag; change filters regularly |
| Rubio Monocoat | Single coat oil plus accelerator | Fast, matte wood finish | Exact prep matters; read instructions |
| Rub n Buff | Wax metallic finish | Quick antique metal look | Light finger application; seal if needed |
| Sandpaper grits | Abrasive sheets | Surface prep from 80 to 400 | Work through grits; dust off |
| Sealant (silicone or hybrid) | Flexible joint seal | Splash guards and wet areas | Paintable hybrids exist; silicone not paintable |
| Shellac | Alcohol based sealer | Knot sealing and fast dry primer | Great under light colors; sands fast |
| Shou Sugi Ban | Charred wood finish on softwoods | Accents, frames, exterior trims | Seal fully; practice outdoors first |
| Spar urethane | Exterior clear coat | Wet or UV exposed wood | Amber tone; multiple thin coats |
| Stain (oil or water based) | Pigment that colors wood | Frames, trims | Test color on the actual species |
| Standoff | Metal spacer hardware | Float acrylic plates and panels | Requires drilling; looks premium |
| Superfine steel wool (0000) | Abrasive wool | Knock sheen down on finishes | Wipe dust; magnet helps pickup |
| Transfer tape | Low tack film for vinyl | Move cut lettering to panels | Burnish firmly; peel back on itself |
| VHB tape (very high bond) | Structural double sided tape | Permanent face mounting on clean surfaces | Great on ACP and acrylic; clean well |
| Vinyl (adhesive) | Cut graphics film | Lettering, arrows, icons | Use outdoor rated vinyl for durability |
| Water based contact cement | Low odor contact cement | Foam seams where fumes are a concern | Longer tack time; press firmly |
| Wet location fixture | Light fixture rated for water exposure | Baths, outdoors near splash | Check the rating and follow instructions |
| Wood filler | Ready mixed filler | Nail holes and small dings | Stainable versions exist |
| XPS foam (extruded polystyrene) | Rigid foam board | Carved signs, dimensional backers | Melts under solvent paints; prime first |
| Yellow glue (PVA wood glue) | Standard wood glue | Wood to wood joints | Clamp for full cure; not waterproof without type II or III |
| Z clip (panel clip) | Low profile interlocking hanger | Flush mount panels | Great when cleats would show |
Finish Pairings Cheat Sheet
- Acrylic primer not required for vinyl; scuff and prime for paint; clear edges glow with edge light.
- PVC foam board light sanding, water based primer, acrylic latex paint; vinyl sticks well.
- Birch ply sand to 180 grit; stain or oil; clear with polycrylic matte.
- ACP clean with IPA; apply vinyl; do not over torque screws.
- EVA foam contact cement seams; gesso or flexible primer; acrylic paint or Plasti Dip; optional hardcoat.
Mounting at a Glance
- Removable hook and loop, Dual Lock, Command style strips.
- Premium standoffs or Z clips.
- Heavy or powered French cleat into studs; plan a service path.
Safety and Good Sense
- Ventilate when using solvents, epoxies, and spray finishes. Wear a P100 respirator when sanding and spraying.
- Use GFCI for any damp area and keep drivers accessible.
- Check for electrical and plumbing before drilling.
- Dispose of oil finish rags safely; lay flat to dry to avoid spontaneous heating.
Keep Building
- Pillar: Bringing Theme Park Design Home… Small Builds That Wow
- Wayfinding and icons: Wayfinding Signage at Home… Fonts, Materials, Mounting
- Project example: Japanese Onsen Vibes… Our Hot Tub Area Build
FAQ
Can I paint directly on acrylic or PVC Scuff sand, clean with IPA, and use a plastic friendly primer. Vinyl sticks without primer.
Is contact cement safe indoors Traditional formulas off gas. Use in a ventilated area or choose water based versions for small projects.
Which clear coat stays least yellow Water based polycrylic. Oil based and spar formulas warm the tone.
What primer do I use on foam Gesso or a flexible water based primer. Avoid solvent sprays unless labeled foam safe.
Can I mount heavy acrylic with tape only Use VHB on clean, flat surfaces and support the bottom edge where possible. For very heavy panels, switch to standoffs or a French cleat.
