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Painting MDF (Read 47149 times)
new_boy
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Painting MDF
Mar 24th, 2006, 1:55am
 
Hi all
What would be the best way to paint MDF so that I can get the smoothest finish. I know the edges can give a felting when painted
I was thinking :
good sand down with medium and fine paper,
2 coats of primer,
sand with fine paper again,
top coat,
If necessary sand again and final top coat.

Would this be the best method or shoud I do any stage different

Cheers
    Richard
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woodsmith
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #1 - Mar 24th, 2006, 8:46am
 
The only way to get a really smooth finish is to spray it.

Otherwise use a 4 inch foam roller.

Sand edges, if very rough you can paint them with a dilute Polyfilla mix

I only very lightly sand the face of the board

1st coat International MDF primer,

2nd coat Dulux quick drying primer/undercoat

3rd coat same as above.

Sand with wet, wet and dry paper 250 grit down to 400 grit

Top coat of choice but for best results use an oil/solvent based paint


Watch out there's some rubbish MDF available at the moment, once you give it the first coat of paint the chips come up and it looks like rough chipboard. Decent MDF should have two hard smooth faces.


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« Last Edit: Mar 24th, 2006, 8:47am by woodsmith »  
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hammy
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #2 - Mar 24th, 2006, 9:07am
 
If I can just add to what Woody's just said... I would avoid water based primers, no particular harm done if you do, but it tends to make the mdf swell. When it does swell, rub it down to a smooth finish.

I would rather go for an oil based wood primer, or even an oil based undercoat thinned out with a small amount of white spirit. You will only need one coat of primer.

Then apply your chosen paint system ie, two coats of satin/eggshell, or an undercoat followed by a gloss coat.
Lightly rub down between coats, and make sure there is no dust around.
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corablimey
Re: Painting MDF
Reply #3 - Mar 24th, 2006, 4:11pm
 
I agree with hamilton again Smiley,  thats how I paint MDF, try and do a thinnish coat for the first coat, as MDF soaks it up .
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #4 - Mar 24th, 2006, 6:02pm
 
The MDF primer I use is water based but itdoesn't seem to affect the MDF, even the edge doesn't need much work afterward. Plus, this way I can go from bare to finished in one day, that is if I can get away with one top coat.

Plus plus it doesn't smell Grin
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corablimey
Re: Painting MDF
Reply #5 - Mar 24th, 2006, 7:04pm
 
AH But, Ah But,  Grin  how hardwearing will it be?, will it chip and flake after a few months?

What are you painting anyway? lol, you never did say
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new_boy
Re: Painting MDF
Reply #6 - Mar 24th, 2006, 9:49pm
 
Thanks for the tips
I have painted mdf before with a brush and found it difficult to loose all the brush stokes.
 I will be using the foam roller this time and painting with dulux primer/undercoat and dulux silk emulsion for the top coat will this be hard wearing enough.
Oh by the way I am painting some home made wardrobes

Cheers Richard
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hammy
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #7 - Mar 24th, 2006, 11:01pm
 
No.
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new_boy
Re: Painting MDF
Reply #8 - Mar 24th, 2006, 11:06pm
 
George you say No,   I guess you are refering to the finish paint coat. What do you reccomend I use
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #9 - Mar 25th, 2006, 8:07am
 
[quote author=corablimey  link=1143165308/0#5 date=1143227062]AH But, Ah But,  Grin  how hardwearing will it be?, will it chip and flake after a few months?
[/quote]

I've never had any problems with it chipping, painted some of my own wardrobes this way, 4 years later they are still perfect.

...

I agree with Hamiliton though, emulsion as a top coat is not very practical, oil based eggshell or satincoat is best IMHO.

It is possible to use emulsion, I do occasionally if the customer wants to match with the paintwork on the walls, but then I give the emulsion 2 coats of decorators acrylic primer. I can't get as good a finish this way though.

This wardrobe is emulsioned

...
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corablimey
Re: Painting MDF
Reply #10 - Mar 25th, 2006, 8:14am
 
Very impressive I must say woodsmith  Smiley and I agree to finish with a couple coats of satin or eggshell.
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #11 - Mar 25th, 2006, 10:03am
 
Rich,  as Cora and Woody say, oil based satin or eggshell is fairly hard wearing, and can easily be cleaned.
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new_boy
Re: Painting MDF
Reply #12 - Mar 25th, 2006, 9:40pm
 
Thanks for the replies I will probably go for the egg shell. Is this ok to put on with a roller  ??? as i`ve only evr used gloss

Thanks Richard
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #13 - Mar 26th, 2006, 8:27am
 
Yes,

You will probably find it easier to put it (the roller) in a plastic bag between coats to stop it drying out then throw it away rather than trying to clean it.

Good luck
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #14 - Mar 26th, 2006, 6:27pm
 
Mrs Hammy made me go to Homebase yesterday to buy a bbq cover. While I was in there, I had a wander round the paint section for a laugh.

They had a kit, comprising a roller tray, 1 roller handle and two sleeves. The interesting thing was, the tray had a tight fitting lid with a small u shape taken out of the end in the centre, and a larger one to the right.

You can leave your paint in the tray overnight, with the roller in the paint and the handle going through the u shape, and also lay your brush in the larger u shape.
Then put the lid on.

I pointed to it and had a good laugh, then thought, it could work.  For six pounds something, I think I will give it a try, it must look more professional than the Morrison's plastic bag.
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Re: Painting MDF
Reply #15 - Mar 26th, 2006, 11:11pm
 
That's your problem then Hammy, you don't use ASDA carrier bags!!! see you need the Posh-ness of the BRAND name!!!LOL Grin
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Twobarrows
Re: Painting MDF
Reply #16 - Apr 5th, 2006, 9:57pm
 
>You will probably find it easier to put it (the roller) in a plastic >bag between coats to stop it drying out then throw it away >rather than trying to clean it.
>Good luck
I've also used kitchen foil successfully, very easy to 'seal round the edges'.
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