 Editor in Chief Bill   | 20 Jan 2016 9:16 p.m. PST |
Do they take paint well? Do they require priming? Does the MDF warp when painted? |
 Parzival  | 20 Jan 2016 9:25 p.m. PST |
I'd advise priming, though spray priming is fine.
Mine had no problem with craft acrylics. |
| Avicenna799 | 20 Jan 2016 9:58 p.m. PST |
Several sites suggest enamel primer.I have also read about and tried using a coat of shellac to seal the mdf before painting. The shellac does seal the mdf so that it doesn't soak up as much paint. It also helps to prevent the surface of the mdf from getting fuzzy (rough) from water based paint causing the outer fibers of the mdf to expand. |
| IUsedToBeSomeone | 21 Jan 2016 3:30 a.m. PST |
One tip I have seen is to spray them with hairspray to seal them… Mike |
| Vigilant | 21 Jan 2016 3:38 a.m. PST |
I use acrylic car primer spray or the Army Painter primers depending on the colour needed. Never had any problem with warping, but I've always sprayed after assembly. If painting before assembly I'd suggest spraying both sides, this should prevent any possible warping. |
| bsrlee | 21 Jan 2016 3:41 a.m. PST |
Basically avoid water based finishes until the surface is sealed. There are water resistant MDF's but it is very hard to pick them by eye – HMRMDF is what you need to look for in the description, usually only found at warehouses that supply bathroom and laundry fitters. |
| TheBeast | 21 Jan 2016 5:33 a.m. PST |
Old hairspray WAS shellac. If it's an old tip… Doug |
| Heisler | 21 Jan 2016 8:29 a.m. PST |
Hairspray is not a good sealer, it can be rubbed off through a finished layer of paint ruining your paint work. Unless you are doing a deliberate chipping affect. Anything designed to seal or prime works fine on MDF. |
| zoneofcontrol | 21 Jan 2016 9:46 a.m. PST |
The link below is a youtube video of assembly, sealing & painting Gamecraft Miniatures buildings. The video is specifically about matt board material but he states that does the exact same process to MDF buildings. Sealing & Painting start at about 10:10 minutes in. YouTube link |
| Dave Crowell | 21 Jan 2016 11:46 a.m. PST |
Fine arts painters working on MDF panels prepare and seal the surface before painting. Usually an acrylic gesso is used, but any primer/sealer will work. |
| BelgianRay | 21 Jan 2016 2:55 p.m. PST |
Use watered down white wood glue to cover the wood. Works perfectly (also for foam). |
| Rich Bliss | 22 Jan 2016 3:01 p.m. PST |
I'm experimenting on my first building right now. So far, prime and craft paint is the best. I'm also going to spackle the joints as I don't like gaps showing. |
