Finishing a wooden base?

Hi Hook-

Yes, I finish my bases first then start ground-work.  This is even more true if I'm working with WET materials (i.e.- Cel-u-clay, plaster) because I've had bases worp and twist due to the few days drying time needed.

Good Luck and remember- Keep your stick on the ice

-Ray

PS- Nice job so far on the fire engine, it's great your finally starting it.  Believe me when I say that many more of my projects STAY in the planning phase than get finished.

"Do you stain, finish and seal the wood first, then mask it off and apply the ground materials?"

If I use wood, Always...

I usually use plastic photo frames though..

Any pics?

 

I think I've seen it, but I cannot remember...  But yeah, a picture frame is probably the easiest frame to get, or atleast from what I've seen/read.

 

Take care,
Austin

Yeah, using wood picture frames will save a lot of time finishing the base... Just inserting the base into the frame will eliminate having to finish it..

I use pine as bases with celluclay. Because of this the base has to be stained and poly'd or the pine will warp from the moisture in the clay.

 

Before I finish the base I draw out the perimeter of the celluclay and score the wood with something like a screwdriver.. then stain and poly/varnish.....this gives the clay something to grab into.

After all is done I place the green round felt things under the base.

As an alternative to wood, you might try mdf, available at any diy store. This is a smooth, inexpensive base material that is easy to machine and paint. Because of its weight. it makes a very stable base for top heavy scenes. Prime it and paint it and you can achieve a finish that looks like wood, metal, stone or just about anything that can be faux finished. Be sure though to seal it as it is a fibre board and if it gets wet will swell and deform a bit.
Its cheaper than wood and comes in 1/4", 1/2", 5/8" 3/4", and 1" thicknesses.