"MDF tile priming advice" Topic

Looking for some MDF advice for modular tiles. I've got 3/8" MDF tiles to mix with a Realm of Battle board. My table is setup, but I'm ready to prime and texture the tiles and worried about stories of warping.

I am planning to paint Gesso primer on the top of each tile in place, but might have to go with oil-based primers?

I recommend shellac. That will help a lot with moisture caused warping. You will still need to keep an eye on mechanical stress.

Paint both sides – that is the best way of avoiding warping.

Although I am a fan of gesso, I wouldn't use it on a wood surface. The fact that gesso shrinks and tightens on a surface is not something I want on a piece of wood, or wood byproduct.

Coating both sides is a definite, don't forget the edges.

I would avoid painting and letting things dry in direct sunlight.

Any oil based primer paint, or shellac (thinned first coat) should work.

The size of the tiles and how they are subsequently stores are big factors as well.

gesso was actually created specifically to paint on wood. I do not think it would be a problem at all on (decent quality) MDF.

9mm MDF of any decent quality will take an acrylic primer with minimal warping if applied in a fairly thin coat (add extra thin coats if you want better coverage) on both sides. Problems can arise on boards over about 200mm and it is advisable to paint the whole board in one go for the first coat and lay it on flat supports to dry.

Thanks all! The tiles are 2'x4' and 1'x4' and 3/8" thickness. I've primed some MDF buildings with Gesso and had no issues but got worried with people talying about warping. Maybe I'll try one of the 1x4 first to see how it goes… Or just get oil.based primer.