Pink high density polystyrene - warping?

[Wargamer Dave]

I'm going to be building a couple terrain boards (2' x 4') using the 2" thick pink high density polystyrene found at Home Depot here in the US.

In reading some of Captain Blood's excellent threads it looks like he doesn't base his on MDF or any other support base - whereas others say an MDF (or even having a wood framework) are important.

I've heard that without attaching the polystyrene to a base it will warp once all the paint goes on one side? I'd hate to build the things and have them end up looking like elf shoes!

Thanks!

[oldskoolrebel]

I've not had any trouble with mine warping. I followed captain bloods tutorial thread on the construction of mine.

I would recommend glueing some 6mm mdf down the side to help to protect the sides. My boards have taken a bit of damage through use and transport.

[Wargamer Dave]

Thanks - I've read somewhere of people using "cloth tape" to protect the sides? I have no idea what that is though.

I doubt I will ever take these out of my home - and they will be stored flat under the game table on a series of racks.

[oldskoolrebel]

I'm pretty sure that cloth tape is just gaffer or duct tape.

[Wargamer Dave]

What a bummer. I thought it might be some magical material that would solve all problems!

[jon_1066]

Duct tape is the magical material that solves all problems - certainly where I work it is.

[DS615]

I have a number of terrain boards, 2x2 and 2x4, made from 2" pink foam.  None of them are warped at all, and it's been 5-6 years since I made them.
No base board, no tape. 
Like you, I don't travel with them.  It may be more important to reinforce them if you did.

[Wargamer Dave]

Like you, I don't travel with them.  It may be more important to reinforce them if you did.

I think this is the key reason for others.