Help with basing buildings

[Stavros Banjo]

HELP!  :x

I usually don't bother putting buildings on bases as it gives more freedom to slot them into various themed terrain for different games. However, I'm putting together some Old West buildings and want to put them on bases so I can add fences & other clutter to them. So far every base material I've tried has gone 'banana' on me, warping like mad when I go anywhere near it with a splash of glue & paint. I've tried sealing both sides with various mediums but nothing seems to help.

So far I've tried MDF, foamboard & thick card mounting board. Any suggestions before I have resort to concrete paving slabs!

[Lowtardog]

If they fail then rigid plastic such as that form shop signs or plastic card from art shops. Not the cheapest option but works well.

Surprised MDF warps

[Deathwing]

All my Old West (Arnica stuff mostly) is mounted on MDF and I've never had problems. They got glue on them and everything.

[Bravo Six]

Add me to the list. MDF has never warped on me. Ever.

-Todd

[Westfalia Chris]

Could it be that you have added to much water? I recently built two boards for a gaming table and was really careful to mix the paint as thickly as possible because I had experienced major warpage in the past as well...

Another thing, you might try using only PVA glue and basing material for starters: "stipple" on the glue, ie don´t brush it, since the regular brushstrokes will ease the warping; however if you apply and brush the glue in a "roughly circular motion", the warp is less.

Finally, when dry, paint using as little water as possible.

[matakishi]

MDF shouldn't warp. Hardboard doesn't warp either, I use both.

[Stavros Banjo]

I was trying to keep the bases as thin as possible, which wasn't helping matters. I've tried some thicker MDF and followed the advice about stippling on the glue rather than painting it on in strokes. This seems to have cured the warping problem and by rounding off the edges of the bases they blend in quite nicely with the table - Hurrah!

Thanks chaps.