Hardboard, also referred to as chipboard, is a material made from wood chips pressed together and bound with synthetic resin. It is a cheap building material used in construction for home exteriors, flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Hardboard is also commonly covered with gesso or canvas and used by acrylic and oil painters as a painting surface. Before painting, hardboard must be prepped and primed if changing the color of the hardboard. If it’s a new piece of hardboard, you can go straight to painting.
Step One
Prepping - Lift and remove any loose or peeling paint gently, using a paint scraper. Gently press the paint scraper into the wood and move downward to scrape paint. Do not dig or gouge into the hardboard.