MDF terrain advice please.

[MagpieJono]

Hoping someone can give me a bit of advice.

I've just put some MDF terrain together, relatively small pieces, shipping containers, barriers, pallets etc.

I was wondering if it would be advisable to seal it first with a thin PVA mix before I paint.

I have heard differing advice. Some saying seal first to prevent the water based paint soaking in and causing the wood to swell and warp. Other advice says you can just paint it and its fine.

Any advice gratefully accepted as would hope to ruin the pieces.

Jono

[Andym]

The edges/cuts on the MDF do soak up paint, but I found that just doing what I normally do with miniatures and spray prime it was enough to do the trick!......

[Dr Mathias]

I just finished up a pretty large set of MDF/card industrial terrain. I spray primed it well first, then airbrushed relatively watery paint with no issues.

[Peithetairos]

I recommend shellac without wax to seal the MDF. Then paint as usual. Did that with bases etc. and had never warped MDF again.

[Andym]

I just finished up a pretty large set of MDF/card industrial terrain. I spray primed it well first, then airbrushed relatively watery paint with no issues.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get that set from? I could see that being really useful.

[Dr Mathias]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get that set from? I could see that being really useful.

I picked it up during a Kickstarter, it is produced by Impudent Mortal:

http://impudentmortal.com/product-category/terrain/28mm-terrain/

Not a bad set overall, it uses drinking straws for pipes, which don't hold paint well. I actually ended up leaving a lot of those off, or just left them black. I have some more pics on my blog. I paid a student of mine to build them (I didn't have time) so there are some minor construction flaws and fit issues, nothing to do with the quality of the kits.

http://miniatureextravaganza.blogspot.com/2017/01/impudent-mortal-industrial-terrain.html

I was wondering where the Dragon Inn came from, looks pretty cool. I have plans for a Chinatown someday

[grant]

Both examples are excellent terrain sets.

[MagpieJono]

Thanks for the advice on this.

Dr Mathias that is a lovely terrain set there.

AndyM that Chinese pub is very well done. The neon lights are excellent.

[Andym]

Your welcome Magpiejono!

@Dr Mathias-it's the Chinese restaurant from Knights of Dice.....

http://knightsofdice.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=51_65&products_id=68&zenid=6a1a899de03c07902739ec9577ec07be