Painting MDF - How to?

[Alpharius]

OK!

That long hoped for day is here!

My Wave 1 shipment has arrived, and along with a host of fantastic miniatures, I also have a nice collection of CNC Workshop MDF terrain too!

So...having never painted MDF terrain before, is there a 'how to' and/or step by step so that I can paint these up 'correctly'?

I've heard horror stories about MDF and paint absorption, so can we get a rundown of how the painted samples were done so we can attempt to replicate the procedure?

Thanks!

[PeteDG]

There are some tricks! I'll see if Craig, our terrain guru, can help.

[Alpharius]

That will be greatly appreciated!

I'm not going to start building/painting them until I know what's what and what is best to do!

[Mousemuffins]

I do intend to do a bit of an article on tips and tricks with MDF, but for the short term, the easiest preparation to prevent (the edges mostly) from soaking up unnecessarily extravagant quantities of precious and expensive paint, is to brush some thinned PVA/elmers/aquadehre / white glue (about 50/50 with water) on all the edges and let it dry. Just beware of excessive drippage.

[Alpharius]

Now that you mention it, I have heard that suggested before.

Would you do this pre-assembly, or would you do it after assembly, on any exposed edges?

Might make the whole thing stronger/sturdier if post-assembly...

[Mousemuffins]

Mostly post assembly. It's just easier and saves time.

[Alpharius]

OK, thanks!

I'm glad to hear that because I do want to get started on building them up!

[kotep]

That's a solid tip, one I'll most certainly use!

[Math Mathonwy]

One tip that I've been doing is building MDF structures into separate pieces like doors, roofs, and the rest of the building, for example. And then spraying them separately using different coloured sprays. And only then putting them completely together.

[Alpharius]

I like that idea - and I've heard of that before - but thank you for the reminder!