Opinions on masonite and other grounds for oils

Hello everyone,
I would like to ask if anyone would share opinions or experiences with using masonite or other boards or panels for oils. I purchased some masonite panels (Houston art brand) from a local art/craft supplier and after checking some major art suppliers and doing some searches on the net I was suprised to find no info on painting on panels or anyone offering masonite or other panels and I was wondering the reason for this? do they not stand up to the test of time or is there other issues?

Thank you for sharing your opinions and experience.

[Lei Iverson]

I and my students, have been using masonite for oil painting for many years. A untempered masonite. First I sand to roughen up the smooth side of the board, then I either brush or roll on two or three coats of gesso.

Having said that, I would like to caution against using commercially prepared boards. All the ones that my students have tried, gave them problems with paint sticking to the slick surface. The brush ends up pulling off the paint, when you try laying layers on top they end up, with what looks like cat scratches. The oil seems to just sit on top, instead bonding to the ground. I can't even remember one student that hasn't found this frustrating, and that ends trashing the commercial boards.

It works well for medium to small paintings, I don't use it for anything larger than 18"x24" or 20"x20." Any larger is just far, too heavy to hang and ship. I find that, if given a chose, clients tend to like Linen or Canvas.

Painting Best To You!
Lei Iverson

[Chris Saper]

Although I do not paint directly on masonite panels, I use them as a support for my Belgian linen canvases. I usually get tempered, double-sided masonite (smooth on both sides, my lumber yard calls them Duolux)although I have used both 1/4 and 18 inch in one or two sided.

I use an archival bookbinder's glue distributed by Demco out of Wisconisn (recommended by Dan Gerhartz) to adhere the linen to the panel. I love the rigid surface. The weight is reasonable up to about 24 x 30. Larger sizes tend to be too heavy and the surfaces more difficult to smooth; so if I am working larger, I 'll go to a stretched canvas..

Best wishes, Chris

[Lesley Grindlay]

Ive never experienced any problems with masonite. When I first started experimenting with oils, I painted on masonite panels, primed with an alkyd primer on both sides, had no problems with paint pealing, no warping, no fraying edges, chipping, none of that, and that was ten yrs ago and those pieces are still in great shape, theyve been roughed up, moved about by movers many times and not even a buckle or a scratch! Perhaps the priming is the key? especially the edges!

[Richard Monro]

There is an abundance of information on grounds in the archives. Type "masonite" in the search dropdown and you will find most of them.

The following thread will be very helpful:
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) for large art panels started by
Sharon Knettell

I have used masonite, mdf, abs and birch plywood panels in the past. I now have standardized on Dibond panels as these are the archival panels used by many museums.

[Lesley Grindlay]

Hello Richard, do u adhere canvas to the dibond panel? Ive never used dibond before. do u brace the panel when painting large pieces and what do u brace it with?

[Richard Monro]

Leslie,

I apply a coat of Sherwin Williams DTM Bonding Primer directly to the surface of the Dibond panel after a good sanding with a green scrubbie to scuff the surface. I then apply 3 coats of acrylic primer (sanding in between coats) and then paint on top of that surface.

[Lesley Grindlay]

ah I see you paint with acrylic, Richard, i guess that a whole other story. So priming with acrylic primer is out of the question for me. I think i would be more inclined to go for a more rigid surface like wood panels. I wonder if anyone has painted on dibond in oils?

[Richard Monro]

Leslie,

Many fine oil artists use oil paints over an acrylic underpainting. Also, many oil canvases are acrylic gesso primed. You should have no trouble painting oils on the panels as described above.

In my post i should have used the words acrylic gesso instead of acrylic prime. My word choice certainly was misleading.

[Lesley Grindlay]

There are so many in discrepancies when it comes to oil painting over acrylic gesso or acrylic primer, an alkyd primer would be a better choice. This of course was based on an article I read at the art renewel site written by Virgil Elliot