sticky mess

you cannot use a solvent that will dissolve the beads = tar and feather stage.

if the polybutene attacks the beads in the first place = intractable.

Possibly you make a suspended latex. This is a mature technology used to make paint without solvents, and you may find ansers here.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&safe=off&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=%22latex+suspension%22+%2Bprocedure&spell=1

"....as a base for chewing gum".....

...and my dentist could make more boat payments!

Thanks for the link. Amazing to get collaboration from around the world. Thomas Freidman is spot on. The world is getting "flatter".

I don't know anything about the material you are talking about, however can powder coating be an option?

I have a lot of work sent out to be powder coated but my parts are metal. I don't really know what limitations powder coating has.

The ultimate goal is to coat the beads with a powder and the polybutene is a safe "adhesive" that won't attack the polystyrene. Polybutene, methinks, is the stuff used on the beads to make the kids toy called "floam".

Actually, if anyone knows how they make "floam" it would get me halfway home.

Hello again, beriberi,

Recipe for home-made "floam" is here:

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/ht/floam.htm

Pleased to be of help.....