The major down side of luaun is that it's made to be stained rather than painted. it takes a lot of priming and sanding to get the smooth surface that masonite has to start with.
Linoleum backdrop, pros & cons
- Thread starter ocalicreek
- Start date
Scott,
The lauan I used had a fairly smooth surface without sanding, but when I did start to paint it, the grain raised a bit making it rougher than before. If I used all my woodworking skills, I guess I would have sanded, filled, sanded again then painted, but I didn't. Still, it was more than acceptable after one coat. Hardboard is usually so slick that it takes two coats before it gets covered well.
This is a good conversation though since it brings out points that you normally don't think about until you're there.
To me, either is fine for a backdrop, but when I get ready to wrap my layout sides, I will use Masonite.... no splinters and I shouldn't have to sand the edges.
The lauan I used had a fairly smooth surface without sanding, but when I did start to paint it, the grain raised a bit making it rougher than before. If I used all my woodworking skills, I guess I would have sanded, filled, sanded again then painted, but I didn't. Still, it was more than acceptable after one coat. Hardboard is usually so slick that it takes two coats before it gets covered well.
This is a good conversation though since it brings out points that you normally don't think about until you're there.
To me, either is fine for a backdrop, but when I get ready to wrap my layout sides, I will use Masonite.... no splinters and I shouldn't have to sand the edges.