MDF -. Does it Need Primer?

[Argonor]

I just recently started collecting laser-cut mdf-buildings from Sarissa (Old West, for now), and am rather pleased with the kits, and I think the raw mdf will be ok for the first couple of games.

Obviously, though, the buildings are going to need some paint along the way, so I would like to know if they need to be primed before painting or if the mdf takes paint well enough directly to the surface?

I'll probably be using acrylic craft paint, thinned to a suitable consistency.

[Eric the Shed]

Primer yes, but thinned paint good

[Argonor]

Primer yes, but thinned paint good

So, thinned paint as primer, instead of expensive spray?

[Michi]

I didn´t prime these Sarissa buildings:








First in the row is the telegraph and post office which is also home of the local newspaper with its own print shop.












The next building is strictly for male visitors, even if it has a lot of female staff.












The floors are fully accessible for gaming inside the buildings:




Then comes a hotel.















There is another two-story building which gives shelter to the finest clothes in the west. Ladies fashion upstairs, gents first floor please:








Last but not least is a rather useful and certainly prospering enterprise in wild west times.






I will try to cramp some furniture in there later.

[Argonor]

Painting goes a long way to make the buildings look better by coverning the un-attractive burn marks from the laser.

It seems you added window glass? And the roof shingles look different than those on my buildings?

I am going to get furniture and props, first, then later slap some paint on.

[Connectamabob]

MDF, compact as it is, is still starchy and porous, so I wouldn't think it'd need primer for adhesion reasons. Maybe to get a unifying base color, but I wouldn't expect there'd be any trouble with paint lifting or flaking on bare MDF.

If one did want to prime it, it seems like a perfect job for gesso, IMO.

[Ragnar]

Michi, they look fantastic!

[Ray Rivers]

Never thought MDF could come out so well... 

Nice job, Michi. I assume the lettering is freehand. 

[exploding youth]

The MDF is very thirsty, so priming helps achieve an even coat of paint. I'd recommend priming for sure.

Those buildings above look incredible!

[Eric the Shed]

So, thinned paint as primer, instead of expensive spray?

Yes...especially if you want to keep all the etched detail

[OSHIROmodels]

The cut edge of the MDF soaks paint up more than the flat normal surface but the burnt lasered surface goes some way to help seal it.

I would recommend priming as it will also help to keep the noxious fumes at bay 

A rattle can of automotive primer would do the trick.

cheers

James

[ancientsociety]

Remember, you prime objects to give paint a ground to stick to. The texture and porousness of MDF already act as sufficient ground for painting, so you don't need to prime it.

[NurgleHH]

For My boards I used Mdf-primer. It worked well and was Not expensive.

[Dr. Zombie]

MDF drinks up paint like a sponge. I have "primed" my MDF buildings with hairspray as it is very much cheaper than spray paint.  And then painted with watered down paint.

[Malebolgia]

Are we talking MDF or HDF? Makes a big difference. The HDF stuff soaks way less paint than MDF. Even then, I always prime the stuff.