"Brush Painting MDF Buildings?" Topic

Has anyone tried brush painting MDF buildings as opposed to airbrushing?

I'd prefer not spending a minimum of a couple of hundred dollars on decent airbrush/compressor, more for a new set of paints and having to learn a new skill.

Guess I'm cheap AND lazy.

Done loads. Seal first. No problem.

Yep, it's pretty straightforward.

use a wide brush.

I rarely use an air brush (or spray paint) on MDF buildings. Sometimes I will spray paint a base coat on sub-assemblies before final assembly. Then I will hand paint some of the details, do some dry brushing and weathering, etc. This building was painted 100% by brush, I think:

When you say seal, do you mean coat with PVA?

use a wide brush.

Hard bristle, soft bristle? I was thinking maybe foam?

To seal MDF do not use a water based primer, use an oil based primer, Just check the can for clean up instructions, if it says turpentine or mineral spirits then its 'oil' based and won't make the MDF swell or go fluffy.

If it says water clean up then its not suitable for MDF.

I think most people use spray cans for primer – if you local store does not seem to have anything check out the auto shops for generic primer – just make sure you get the type that does NOT have filler mixed in.

If you are going to use a brush it will have to be small and/or soft enough to get the primer into all the corners and details, so you may want to use two or more brushes – a big flat brush for wide panels and a smaller, pointy brush to get into the details.

That is how I have done mine. Spray prime first with car primer (acrylic). Then paint with the usual miniature acrylics. It works well.

I brush paint most of mine. No priming either. I use cheap craft paints for buildings. Then clear coat them. Nothing fancy.

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas!

I stipple mine then sponge on top to provide percieved texture