"Do you paint your wooden buildings?" Topic

I have on several occasions purchased MDF(?) buildings. The laser cut thin wooden buildings that you assemble. They have rock and wood cut into it. I have thought about giving them some light color washes in certain areas but am not sure if they will warp or how this might look. Any ideas or knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I've used paint, paint washes and stain on MDF buildings without any warping problems. Improves the appearance as it no long has that easily identifiable MDF look. You can get wood stain colours from railway hobby stores, at least you could until Covid caused a shortage of alcohol!

Seal before painting and no problem, After all, quite a few of those outfits sell them already painted!

There are some good videos on Youtube on how best to do this.

Wood stain might be better

I painted mine with craft paints. 2 coats. No issues with warping or anything….

Thanks guys. It looks like I have some work to due. Those western buildings look real nice.

Always paint mine.

I'd recommend painting them.
The resins used in manufacture are carcinogenic and prone to 'release' when not covered.
I have a friend who manufactured the building stuff for about 12 years, 12 hours a shift sucking in the fumes in a factory and has developed an invasive, inoperable cancer, which can't be a coincidence. He'd never been ill in his entire life. And I've known him for 45 years.

If you want proof of the volatility (and floors are recommended to be sealed for the last 20 years here) check any unsealed boards next to painted ones (white/ pale colours); they will be discoloured by the gases emitted.
And I'd make sure never to leave this stuff in a childs bedroom unpainted or unsealed.

As far as I'm concerned the industry has a major issue that has been hidden for a long time; we used formaldehyde in the paperboard industry whch was badly used at times. Like Agent orange, this stuff is equally invasive.

FWIW, d

You might find the following useful. It's a link to the March attack website and has three good articles on painting MDF. The 5 Page article supplied to Wargames Soldiers and strategy Magazine is particularly good. March Attack is run by Gary Peach, Sarissa Precisions main designer, so he should know a thing or two about painting MDF buildings.

link

I hope that this helps.

Thank you, those are some good articles.