Sealing Fiberboard??

I always paint any type of wood that I will be building anything on. The scenery process is very wet. Pouring scenic cement or any other water based adhesive on top of an engineered wood product can cause issues. Over time humidity can be an issue as well.

I painted both side of the Soundboard (a Homasote type product) with an inexpensive brown latex paint. It both seals it and gives an "earthy" base for whatever scenery I do.

Mike

I used Celotex soundboard on top 1/2 Plywood.  I painted the sound board first with cheap white latex paint.  The sound board soaks up a lot of paint so it took 2 coats.  The white paint makes a good surface for marking with pencil for cutting.  Then I put on a coat of brown latex paint.  After the sheets were cut and painted I used screws to secure it to the top of the plywood.   Where I had joints I covered them with 3 inch wide strips of old bed sheets that I would soak in a mix of white glue + water.  Spread the strip over the joint carefully and brush on additional glue + water mix.  When dry,  paint with the brown latex paint.   This hides the joints quite well. 

Steve

Latex paint will put a skin on a surface, but it won't really do much to seal the wood from moisture or humidity. If you spill a glass of water on it and wipe it up quickly, Latex will be better than nothing, but it is not water proof. If I really want to seal the wood on my layout or modules, I prefer to use MinWax solvent-based polyurethane clear satin or flat finish varnish (at least two coats for most wood, more for particle board or fiberboard, with a light sanding between coats). This can be followed by a color coat of flat latex as a scenery base.

Bill in FtL

I truly learn something new every day.

Mike

If you paint or seal the sound board are you not defeating the purpose of the sound board somewhat? Thats what I always heard when someone would paint over a drop sealing or those older tongue and groove ceilings (called? They must have a name I cant think of)

Hi. I am new to the hobby. I have a question about my foundation. What is the best material to use. Right now I have everything crammed on 2 folding tables until I start building. I see a few mentioned soundboard. Any info would help. 

Michael - Welcome to the Hobby.  When you say foundation we assume you mean your benchwork.   Building your layout starts with good benchwork.  Search the forum here and you will find discussions and pictures that will help.  1x4 or 2x4 Legs supporting a frame of 1x4 lumber with a sheet of 1/2 plywood on top.  On top of the plywood a sheet a sheet of 1/2 soundboard.  Use a sheet of Celotex or Homosoat which can be found a building supply stores.   Paint the board first.  Use cheap latex paint.  I used a first coat of white paint, then secure the soundboard to the plywood with screws.   Then paint the top with a light brown paint.  This gives a good base to hold screws to hold down track and helps reduce the sound that the trains can make as they rumble down the track.  Spend time looking at postings here on the Forum and you will get some good ideas.

Steve

Thanks Steve. Greatly appreciated.