ok, so I recently got a 7' x 4' MDF board at half inch thick and I'm looking to paint it with a very basic space theme i.e. just black with some stars (for now at least anyway)

I have absolutely zero experience with painting MDF but I'd like to give it a go... From what I understand I'd have to prime the MDF with a grey(?) primer first but I also can't decide what type of black I should use? I think I'd like a bit of a sheen for some depth so I was thinking of silk emulsion (I think Americans may call this latex, not sure) but I could do with a more experienced voice on this... I don't think a matt paint is going to look good enough but I'm not sure and don't want to fork out the money trying different paints out when the whole idea was to avoid the cost of a printed gaming mat in the first place.

For what it's worth, I think you've got about the right thickness MDF (any thinner and it would be an issue). then spray it lightly with a black or near-black primer (a very deep blue or a dark chocolate will work too). There's a lot of combination primer/tones that eliminate the need for 2 sprays. Be sure that you get the edges.

The question is, how elaborate did you want to make it? There's a number of great spray and newsprint crinkle street artist examples that can work if you want to go fancy on this with planets over stars. That said, don't use a water or heavy moisture based paint or it will warp the board. In fact, it will likely warp anyway to some extent but that's over time. Oh, and you might find a satin finish could work over a matte or gloss.

For what it's worth, I think you've got about the right thickness MDF (any thinner and it would be an issue). then spray it lightly with a black or near-black primer (a very deep blue or a dark chocolate will work too). There's a lot of combination primer/tones that eliminate the need for 2 sprays. Be sure that you get the edges.

The question is, how elaborate did you want to make it? There's a number of great spray and newsprint crinkle street artist examples that can work if you want to go fancy on this. That said, don't use a water or heavy moisture based paint or it will warp the board. In fact, it will likely warp anyway to some extent but that's over time. Oh, and you might find a satin finish could work over a matte or gloss.

Not too elaborate tbh... I'm just looking to make my games of Armada feel a little more thematic lol. I did try spraying a spare bit of MDF with a few coats of black paint but it didn't seem sit very well... Dried up very quickly leaving an ugly patchy effect. I've been considering using a roller instead of a spray as all the spray paints seem to be very thin

Good Luck, I made a Go board out of MDF and its heavy cant even think about a 7 by 4 board.

Use this as a guide, I think the step by step directions worked well for me.

https://www.bamsoftware.com/go/board.html

PS when you stain it make sure to use long even brush strokes unless you want some pools of darker stain. Feel free to ask me anything else about this it has been a couple of years since I made my Go board but I might be able to help out with questions.

For what it's worth, I think you've got about the right thickness MDF (any thinner and it would be an issue). then spray it lightly with a black or near-black primer (a very deep blue or a dark chocolate will work too). There's a lot of combination primer/tones that eliminate the need for 2 sprays. Be sure that you get the edges.

The question is, how elaborate did you want to make it? There's a number of great spray and newsprint crinkle street artist examples that can work if you want to go fancy on this. That said, don't use a water or heavy moisture based paint or it will warp the board. In fact, it will likely warp anyway to some extent but that's over time. Oh, and you might find a satin finish could work over a matte or gloss.

Not too elaborate tbh... I'm just looking to make my games of Armada feel a little more thematic lol. I did try spraying a spare bit of MDF with a few coats of black paint but it didn't seem sit very well... Dried up very quickly leaving an ugly patchy effect. I've been considering using a roller instead of a spray as all the spray paints seem to be very thin

I think your going to need to do 1 coat of stain, paint then another. I did sharpe then stained mine after that dried I did a 2nd coat and it worked. I know that the board drinks what ever you apply to it so you need a lot.

I think your going to need to do 1 coat of stain, paint then another. I did sharpe then stained mine after that dried I did a 2nd coat and it worked. I know that the board drinks what ever you apply to it so you need a lot.

Hey thanks for the reply and the link! I've just applied a coat of primer and was going to ask whether I would need a second coat of primer or not and would I have to sand the first coat down if so? Or do I just sand the first coat down and start applying the first black satin coat?

I made a board a few weeks ago but chose against MDF. It's heavy, brittle, and doesn't paint very well especially with spray paint. I got a sheet of plywood with as they called it one good side. Spray painted it black, grabbed a old toothbrush, dipped it in white paint and flicked the paint at the board to make stars. Used a silver sharpie to mark off the areas of play. Just need to varnish it next.

Duplicate post

I made mine with half inch thick birch sheet. Felt more rigid than MDF at that thickness and much lighter. Although I didn't stain mine, I just put felt over it. Slightly more expensive than the MDF but a good investment in my mind.

I think your going to need to do 1 coat of stain, paint then another. I did sharpe then stained mine after that dried I did a 2nd coat and it worked. I know that the board drinks what ever you apply to it so you need a lot.

Hey thanks for the reply and the link! I've just applied a coat of primer and was going to ask whether I would need a second coat of primer or not and would I have to sand the first coat down if so? Or do I just sand the first coat down and start applying the first black satin coat?

I want to say I did sand the areas that were not smooth. The wood drinks up the primer easy

I just assembled a 4x7 tabletopper out of 3/4" MDF, that breaks down into 2 4x3.5 panels with pine connections. wasn't planning on paintnig though, but instead finishing the top in felt and trim the edges with some angle moulding. Then getting a sheet (or two?) of polycarb or acrylic to place over the felt when not in use..

Oh man, you'd better find something like that