What is MDO (for a painting surface)

[artbirds]

I would like to thank all the artists and others who responded to my sign making help post. I will be working on the sign in the next few months, and I have one more question regarding sign making.... MDO was mentioned as the primary surface to use for the exterior signs, What is MDO? Can I buy it at a hardware or home improvement store?
My sign is a simple oval shape, with one color as a background, and one color for the lettering, and one color for the logo. Is it easy to cut to shape? The sign is for my horse stable, so I am hangng one at the end of my driveway, and one on the barn itself above the entry door.
Thank you to all who respond,
artbirds

[meriadoc]

MDO? Never heard of it.

MDF (medium density fiberboard - i think it what it stands for) is something else. Its a wood - pretty sturdy stuff, but when you cut it or sand it with a sander, make sure you were face protection as it uses either cyanide or arsenic as a binder.

Course, I could be wrong (like i nearly always am ;) )

[cindyjames]

MDO is an exterior grade plywood with a layer of paper laminated to it for a smooth surface, no knots show through. It should be sealed with a latex or oil primer and then painted whatever background color you want. Seal the edges well and it lasts a long time outdoors. Most lumber centers should have it.
Cindy

[RobinZ]

Paint the back, too. Hope you'll let us see it when it's done!!

[Enchanted]

MDO? Never heard of it.

MDF (medium density fiberboard - i think it what it stands for) is something else.

MDO and MDF are both referred to as "engineered" boards, I believe.

MDO stands for Medium Density Overlay and it's a plywood that has either one or both faces prepared for painting with a smooth overlay. It's recommended for both indoor and outdoor sign painting.

MDF stands for Medium Density Fiber board similar to that used for kitchen counter tops, cheap imitation wood-grain furniture, cabinets, etc.

[billyg]

Formaldihyde Meriadoc, Formaldihyde. LOL.(Sp).
Billyg. :D :angel: :evil:

[Sam Cree]

I was in the sign business for quite a while, MDO (medium density overlaid) was the standard used by most of the sign shops because it has a smooth surface.

Prime it with 2 coats, then apply your finish coat (usually glossy), then apply the lettering and pictorial.

The main trick is to seal the edges well, since that is where water enters most easily. If it was me, I'd look for an opportunity to add some molding or something somewhere on the sign to escape the cookie cutter appearance.