How to Prepare a Masonite Panel for Oil Paint
- 1). Lay the Masonite panel flat on a table or other level surface.
- 2). Dip the brush first in a container of water, then in the container of gesso. If the gesso container isn't wide enough to admit the brush, transfer some gesso to a plastic container big enough to accommodate the width of the brush.
- 3). Apply the gesso either horizontally or vertically, using a back-and-forth motion and smoothing out ridges as you go.
- 4). Cover the entire panel in this fashion. Don't apply the gesso too thickly; thinner layers are better. The first coat will not cover the Masonite well; this is not a problem.
- 5). Set your brush in the container of water so it doesn't dry out and wait for the gesso to dry, in about 30 minutes.
- 6). Sand the first coat of gesso lightly.
- 7). Repeat the process above to apply a second coat, brushing in a perpendicular direction to the first coat. This will help ensure you cover the panel completely. Allow the gesso to dry, and sand the panel lightly.
- 8). Repeat the process to apply a third coat, brushing in the same direction you did for the first coat. After you have sanded the third coat, your panel is ready for painting.