spraying mdf terrain

[pathatrick]

Has anyone tried this method?

http://www.pneumaticaddict.com/2014/09/trick-for-spray-painting-mdf.html

I'm afraid it might hide details.

[Major_Gilbear]

In effect, the shellac seals the MDF with an impermeable layer first, and that means that subsequent paint is not absorbed into the MDF (rather it sits on top on the surface, like it would on a model).

 

You can also acheive this with an airbrush and some thinned gloss acrylic varnish; you may need two coats to get a good smooth layer, but after that you can go over it with your regular paints. Key things to know:

 

1) Keep the varnish thin, but don't make it too watery - you don't want to soak the MDF or it will warp (or worse).

 

2) As it's partially absorbed (at least the first layer is), this shouldn't fill in detail as long as the varnish is fairly thin

 

3) You will most likely need two coats to ensure a full and even layer of varnish (and therefore avoid any paint irregularities later on).

 

4) This will work with satin varnish too, but probably not with matte.

 

5) You don't have to use water-based acrylics, but these are much kinder to your airbrush seals than other types are.

 

6) You can do this with a brush-on varnish too, but you'll need to take *much* more care in the application, and one layer may suffice.

 

Anyway, it's a good find, and worth sharing here for the with/without visuals if nothing else - good spot! :)