nope

I don't think it's painted. What is coming off should be a surface film that helps protect the plant.

Not painted/ The waxy like surface which rubs off is called "bloom"- basically the same thing that's on the surface of grapes and plums.

The sponge around it has.

I believe the "sponge" you are referring to is staghorn lichen.

Oh okay! Thank you :) and I haven't watered it since I got it so it should actually be really dry. Thanks about the sponge too :)

Is the lichen still alive? I hear that they are sometimes dried out when they are bought. If it is alive, how do I water it?