Basing board material for scenery

[Burni]

As part of my ‘finish dem Orks’ project, I’ve also dug out my Octarius Ork scenery. 
 

Just wondering what people use for basing boards or if they don’t bother putting their scenery on boards and just have it free standing?

 

My first thought was to order 3mm plasticard as I like the solid bond plastic cement gives. But I worry it might be too flexible? I’ve never used 3mm though, how rigid is it? It’ll be fixed to the very solid Ork buildings along 2 sides with a leg in the opposite corner. I’d say the max size would be about A5 (148 x 210mm). Would that be pretty stiff?

 

What other options are there? MDF? PVC foam board? Card? What do fraters prefer?

[Bouargh]

Most of the time I use 2mm plasticard, but for buildings I usualy do no use anything.

If there is a flooring inside it is for scenery purpose (rumbles, objectives...) but are made to be independant

For home made scenery I used 2 mm plasticard too but I experienced issues with it when working with clay as, either the clay do not stick well, or the clay shrinkage bend the card. Soo for clays I go now on 3 mm plywood. 

[Xenith]

I've used plasticard on the last lot I built, and I wouln't go back to regular card or wood. 3mm should be way more than enough, I think I used 2mm. Even better if you can bevel the edges. If you're sticking plastic terrain to it, the thickness shouldn't matter as the terrain will hold it in shape. I'd just advise to sand it a little first, especially on the smooth sides so paint has something to key into, and use actual primer over GW's 'paint primer'. I've found paint to flake off on some homemade terrain and plasticard if I havent primed properly. 

Edited March 13, 2023 by Xenith

[Jolemai]

There's a few ideas here too:

 

 

[Burni]

@Xenith Sorry quick follow up question - I've seen some matt black 2mmm plasticard on ebay that looks ideal for what I want to do - does the matt finish take paint better?

[Urauloth]

Slightly, but you'll still want to prime it.

[Uncle Mel]

I usualy put stuff on 5mm black foamboard, everything gets coated in glue/gravel/sand anyway so the edges don't get nuked by spraypaint.

[Xenith]

On 3/14/2023 at 8:14 AM, Burni said:

@Xenith Sorry quick follow up question - I've seen some matt black 2mmm plasticard on ebay that looks ideal for what I want to do - does the matt finish take paint better?

 

As it is still...err...'formed' (?) plastic, even matte it'll still be super smooth and run the risk of things falling off - I've found even superglue and PVA don't like it without something to grip onto - unlike poly cement which physically melts and welds the plastic bits to one another.

 

I have some 1000grit modelling sandpaper that I just ran over the surface a bit, and didn't leave big scratches or anything. 

Edited March 15, 2023 by Xenith