MDF terrain and laser engraving

[Charles92027]

I'm building my first MDF building kit. It's the Dniogas filling station: https://ttcombat.com/collections/city-scenics/products/dinogas-filling-station
I've just started gluing the sub-assemblies, but I'm wondering how I'm going to paint it.

What happens to the laser engraving when it's primed, will they all disappear?
The engraving seems awfully thin, does it take a wash?

[snitcythedog]

What happens to the laser engraving when it's primed, will they all disappear?
The engraving seems awfully thin, does it take a wash?

Generally no.  I usually prime mine on the fret to stop warping.  TT engraving is usually pretty good. 

[Charles92027]

How do you paint it? If you wash the engraving does it fill in the lines?

[fred]

Ive used different techniques. For some brick type houses, I used household emulsion paint tester pots, and used the sponge from a blister pack, to kind of heavy dry brush the paint on, as I was very keen to protect the etched detail.

For my old west buildings I just painted with a largish brush.

You can certainly use a pin wash to bring out any etched lines that get lost in painting.

Found a photo of one of the Wild West buildings - this was brush painted, some dry brushing over the top. Might have washed a few plank lines back in (but I certainly didn’t need to do many)

[fred]

And this was one after the sponge brushing



Where the many bricks are still very visible

[snitcythedog]

How do you paint it? If you wash the engraving does it fill in the lines?

I just shot these with a rattle can white then masked the areas to do the second color.  All the engraved details came out fine.  Have since weathered them with pin washes and sponged on acrylics. 

Most of the manufactures engraved details deep enough to that they will not be covered up. 

[Charles92027]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I have the buildings built, and I'm going to prime this weekend.