Best material to use?

[jzarski1]

I need to make some 6" numbers on bases for my wife. I have made them in the past with MDF but it is very hard to get a good paint job on MDF. What do you all suggest me to use? I would like to be in the $20-$25 per 4x8 sheet range for .5" material. I have also tried MDO and it works ok but the edges are the issue as are the edges with MDF. Here is a picture of what I made in the past. Thank you all for any help.

John

[knight_toolworks]

if you prime mdf with a good heavy body primer and sand it it will be much better. There is not much else in that price range really gater foam would be close but the edges are just foam so they are not always great looking.

[jzarski1]

If price wasn't an issue what would you use Steve?

[knight_toolworks]

sintra would be the next choice easy to cut easy to paint but it is around 100 for a .5 sheet. it is pvc foam and pretty much even throughout. euro ply around 80.00 a sheet is the next choice.
mdf will work well if you prime and sand it smooth. sintra you could just spray it the color you want and be done with it. it glues with pvc pipe glue.
I have made a huge amount of thins out of mdf for customers to paint.

[jzarski1]

Where is a good place to buy sintra?

[knight_toolworks]

Where is a good place to buy sintra?
your local sign supply. I have two in Portland I can buy it from.

[Ajcoholic]

Try thinning wood glue (pva or aliphatic) 50% or even less with water, and brushing on a thin coat on the edges of the MDF. I do this when I need to profile MDF and then lacquer.

It eliminates the need for excessive sealer coat(s) on the edges.

Let the glue dry, and then sand lightly with 220 or 240 and then finish.

Worth a try...