Hey guys,
I have a board of standard thin MDF for my first diorama.
I want to apply large amounts of baking soda and water - to make snow.
Do I need to do anything to the MDF first - to prevent any warping (will it warp?), or will it be fine?

Thanks for your time,
Harry

Stupid question time, What exactly is MDF? Because if it's card based it's going to warp like anything....

Hi,

I don't think MDF warps but if it gets too wet it can swell and crack. It will have to be wet for quite some time for any major swelling or deformation to occur. I would suggest sealing it with some type of varnish just to be safe.

Scott

Thanks for your quick reply Scott.
Should not be wet for too long so all systems go!
Thanks again!

I am on the understanding that Harry is one of the younger members here on the site and may not exactly know what MDF is made out of and the ways of handling it.
Your average fifteen or sixteen year old will def. know what the latest Playstation game is but won't have a clue about the nature of MDF,let alone the nature of other various wood sorts.
I have read many a time here on the site,there are NO stupid questions.....

Back to the subject at hand Harry,if you coat your whole MDF sheet with various layers of paint,the type that is used for priming wood,you shouldn't have any "warping" problems.As Scott suggested layers of varnish can also be used.
Good luck with the dio,
Cheers Shay

I don't believe the response was suggesting that Harry's question was stupid.
I thing Jim was asking "what is MDF?" which may have seemed like a stupid question to him.

For those like Jim who may not know, MDF is a particle board made of wood chips compressed together with some sort of glue to make in essence, a type of plywood.

C.

Thanks Charles - exactly my question. I had no idea what MDF is at all...

Thanks guys. I normally think my questions/posts through before posting, so I'm glad it wasn't that stupid!

I now it's used by many a builder etc, but I was curious as to how much 'damp' would cause it to warp.

MDF means Medium Density Fibreboard. I learn something new every day!
Harry

Hi guys,
Firstly Jim,i wasn't trying to yank your chain .Maybe MDF has another name in various countries?!
I work as an interior decorator/carpenter so i know about the pro's and con's of MDF.
For those who are not familiar with MDF(medium dense fibreboard),it is a softwood thats mixed with other elements such as resin and wax and is made into sheets through a heat and pressure process.
MDF is relatively cheap and can be used to make cupboard doors,kitchenware etc.
It must always be painted thoroughly,top,bottom,sides,everything.Warping and cracking can occur if the MDF is left untreated.
It's always best to wear a mask if you have to cut MDF,the fine dust particles that come off during cutting can be harmful!!
MDF can contain formaldehyde which is very nasty to say the least.
Formaldehyde is found in cigarettes and is used to burn off body warts..enough said!
Cheers,Shay

OK here we go - This is MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)-

a very stable prodict that will NOT warp- it will however swell if left in a very humoid enviroment for any leanth of time - seal it with paint , shellac, laquer- what ever- I heartily endorse this stuff!
This is Particle board - good for bonfires!

This stuff WILL warp and twist and swell
This is OSB (Oriented Strand Board) Good for construction - not so much for models!


As for the initial question -ALWAYS seal wood before appying groundwork! Celluclay -whatever.