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Hey all,

Anyone got any tips for making MDF terrain look like concrete?

I have read about using wood filler, but was hoping from some first hand recommendations from terrain builders here

Thanks

What about something like the PlastiKote stone touch paints?

Something like this would look like concrete: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plasti-kote-9444-400ml-Stone-Touch/dp/B001GU6HKU

You'd probably need to use a decent primer underneath it as it may soak into the MDF a lot otherwise.

IIRC Rustoleum sells something similar to that plasti-kote spray. Searchy searchy...

http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/american-accents/stone-spray

... and a couple more finishes beside.

Liquitex clear gesso has a fine, gritty texture when dry. Might be something to look up. But the wood/wall filler option probably isn't your worst bet.

Theres a few options:

plaster of paris typically you buy in a bag and mix water into to get your consistency.

tile cement you can buy in a tub and has a "stucco" consistancy. I find this easier to work with, and will also stick to the MDF better.

you can mix things into both of these to get textures, like saw dust or sand.

most importantly you can paint these surfaces after you treat them with either of the above. This is what we do out of our scenic shop when making set panels for theater etc.



Oh yea and also you can use acrylic caulking to sculpt with, and it comes in lots of different base colors and can also be painted

If you want a subtle texture, and one that does not require covering the surfaces with something (other than paint), I can suggest clamping the walls between 2 pieces of coarse sandpaper.

I used this on a concrete fence I made from plasticard, but the technique would work for wood also.


And painted:

I've gone the route of using a mixture of plasters + sands etc to make concrete, and it turned out great BUT was labor intensive! (Worked really well for making cracked slabs since it crumbles very naturally. Had to use a 50:50 mix of extra hard plaster, and not-so-hard plaster in order stop my bases from falling apart!)

Instead lately I have been using "High Density Foam" Sort of like Floral Foam but its hard as a piece of wood!

I cut it into sections, hit it with a little rough sand paper, and then knicked the edges with an exacto. I was happy with the results. Primed it, and then drybrushed the hell out of it. Nice little texture without going overboard:

In a note unrelated to the actual structure of the concrete... I have found highlighting concrete with a tan or off white looks much better than pristine white. (On my plaster bases I highlighted with pure white, while on my high density terrain I highlighted with Ushabti Bone, a tan-ish off white)

Lots of concrete types are really smooth anyway so you could probably get away with just painting it grey and the drybrushing with another couple of lighter shades. Maybe a bit of stippling and some chalky highlighting and it should look fine.

 ComradeQuiche wrote:
I've gone the route of using a mixture of plasters + sands etc to make concrete, and it turned out great BUT was labor intensive! (Worked really well for making cracked slabs since it crumbles very naturally. Had to use a 50:50 mix of extra hard plaster, and not-so-hard plaster in order stop my bases from falling apart!)

Instead lately I have been using "High Density Foam" Sort of like Floral Foam but its hard as a piece of wood!

I cut it into sections, hit it with a little rough sand paper, and then knicked the edges with an exacto. I was happy with the results. Primed it, and then drybrushed the hell out of it. Nice little texture without going overboard:

In a note unrelated to the actual structure of the concrete... I have found highlighting concrete with a tan or off white looks much better than pristine white. (On my plaster bases I highlighted with pure white, while on my high density terrain I highlighted with Ushabti Bone, a tan-ish off white)

Wow looks awesome. May I ask what your base color and other highlights were (other than Ushabti)?

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions guys.

My go to methods are:

A) stippling with a simple filler + pva mix or something like a thick house paint

B) coating the surface with watered down pva and using sieve to lightly sprinkle on either plaster or baking powder

Good luck!

I can second using the high-density foam. It is cheap, too, as you can get a 1/2 - 5/8" thick, 4' x 8' piece for about $10. A little rough sanding, add some chips and nicks, paint and dry brush highlight, and you are good to go.

Mordian2016 wrote:

 ComradeQuiche wrote:
I've gone the route of using a mixture of plasters + sands etc to make concrete, and it turned out great BUT was labor intensive! (Worked really well for making cracked slabs since it crumbles very naturally. Had to use a 50:50 mix of extra hard plaster, and not-so-hard plaster in order stop my bases from falling apart!)

Instead lately I have been using "High Density Foam" Sort of like Floral Foam but its hard as a piece of wood!

I cut it into sections, hit it with a little rough sand paper, and then knicked the edges with an exacto. I was happy with the results. Primed it, and then drybrushed the hell out of it. Nice little texture without going overboard:

In a note unrelated to the actual structure of the concrete... I have found highlighting concrete with a tan or off white looks much better than pristine white. (On my plaster bases I highlighted with pure white, while on my high density terrain I highlighted with Ushabti Bone, a tan-ish off white)

Wow looks awesome. May I ask what your base color and other highlights were (other than Ushabti)?

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions guys.

Ugh, I should know this, but I always forget! haha

Pretty sure I did straight codex grey, then dry brushed all over it with usabti bone, then only the edges with Screaming Skull!

OR

I painted I basecoated with Skavenblight Dinge, THEN drybrushed codex grey, then ushabti, then screaming skull? Ive tried it both ways, one just comes out a bit darker than the other.

I recommend going to a builders merchant (B&Q is a good one in the uk) and buying textured masonry paint. I got a 5 ltr tub for about £10. I don't think i'll ever use that much but it works.

I mix some Tiling Grout into most paints for scenery down to 15mm for texture and it hardens nicely too.

At more Epic scales I might used Wall Filler from a Poundshop and the grains are that bit finer.