> Has anyone ever found a coating or paint that will put a finish like the
> skin that come on the raw [minicell] foam?

Funny, I was going to ask the same question. In response, the only thing I can add is that I built a foam back rest for my Pintail (Valley Canoe Products fg sea kayak) about six years ago and covered it with two mil neoprene, nylon-coated on one side only. The rubber side conformed well to complex curves and has stayed attached to the foam without a problem in pretty rough use; the outer surface of nylon serves as an adequate slide to get in and out of this very tight boat.

But I'm hoping someone else has found something survivable to paint on, too.

Jack Martin