Painting Basswood without Warping?

[ednadolski]

I'm building a laser-cut wood structure kit and my experience with these (and other woods - balsa, some plywoods, ....) is that painting them with a water-based paint is likely to cause warping, especially with sheet and strip material.  (I don't like to use enamels since the smell seems to last forever).  Is there a better approach to avoid this?    I thought that perhaps a shellac primer might be an option (and doesn't have the after-smell).  What do all you wood structure builders use?  Thanks in advance for all advice/input.

Ed

[garethashenden]

Some sort of primer of sealer is probably a good idea, but I think the most important thing is to paint both sides, preferably at the same time if possible. Warping usually comes from one side being wetter than the other.

[wazzou]

The first thing I do is to brace the inside liberally with HO Scale 6x6 Strip wood that I've picked up on sale over the years.
After that, I do tend to spray cheap automotive primer on both sides.

[N_DaveS]

For bracing I have had success using the scraps left over after removing the walls etc. from the sheet, especially when the grain of the brace runs against the grain of the wall.

For un-warping I have had mixed results placing the parts on a flat surface then applying a heavy weight, in my case an antique (cast iron) iron.

[haasmarc]

Bracing, bracing, bracing and more bracing.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Paint one side and put a weight on it to lay flat (if you can
Then paint the other side and ditto.
Brace wherever possible first though. I use cheap square balsa in the corners and along flat sections.
Do not allow your acrylic paint to be too watery as this aids in warping.
Acrylic spray cans work pretty well as they are a lot dryer when they hit the surface.
Rod.

[glakedylan]

for another hobby of mine...i give the whole piece, on all sides, a coat of modpodge which works to seal the wood, and when thoroughly dry accepts paint well. usually using the $1.00 plastic containers of craft paint from wal-mart.


sincerely
Gary

[reinhardtjh]

The first thing I do is to brace the inside liberally with HO Scale 6x6 Strip wood that I've picked up on sale over the years.
After that, I do tend to spray cheap automotive primer on both sides.

Bracing, bracing, bracing and more bracing.

How is said bracing done?  Brace strips glued flat to the inside of the wall?  Or do you mean bracing from one wall to another?  Trying to picture this. Thanks!

[wazzou]

How is said bracing done?  Brace strips glued flat to the inside of the wall?  Or do you mean bracing from one wall to another?  Trying to picture this. Thanks!

I lay the unpainted walls face down and run strip wood from one end of the wall to the other, both top/bottom and depending on the height of the building, down the center also. 
Additionally, I'll run several from "floor to ceiling" or vertically.
I use Aleene's tacky glue but any PVA, school glue or wood glue will work.
It is important to do a dry test fit of the construction of the walls so that your bracing won't interfere with window installation, joining one wall to another or the roof install.

[N_DaveS]

It is important to do a dry test fit of the construction of the walls so that your bracing won't interfere with window installation, joining one wall to another or the roof install.

I can attest to the importance of this, having recently not done so! Fortunately I was able to modify the part to fit...