One of today’s most popular structural products for furniture and home accents is medium-density fiberboard, commonly known as MDF. MDF is created by using resin to bond wood particles together to form a flat, smooth board. It is made in various thicknesses and is ideal for cabinets, furniture and home accents in large part because its surface is completely smooth. , easy to cut, drill, or machine. Because MDF is much cheaper than hardwood, it is ideal for building on a budget.
Although building with MDF is easy, painting cabinets or finished furniture is a little trickier due to the rarity of the surface to MDF. Here are some tips for painting MDF that will help you paint a nice finish too.
The major problem when it comes to painting MDF is that it is very porous. This means that the paint will drip onto the MDF surface which can result in a paint finish that is patchy, uneven and unattractive.
As the rarity of wood, the nature of MDF must always be fought. You can buy MDF that already has a primer on it, although it is more expensive than regular unfinished MDF. If you are using MDF that is not pre-primed, you should always prime it before painting.
Start by sanding any rough spots or edges so that you have a nice, smooth surface. Wipe the surface of the MDF to remove any excess dust from sanding. Using an oil based primer, apply two first coats to the MDF, allowing the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat. Although a water based primer tends to be easier to work with, the water from the primer can soak into the MDF and warp it so it’s generally a good idea to opt for an oil based one instead. Going up slightly between the primer coats will help even out any brush marks. primer will not only help to finish the final paint from becoming stained, but it will help the paint color you use to remain brighter and a truer shade.
If you are using oil based as a primer, make sure you choose an oil based paint to go with it and not an acrylic or water based paint will adhere to the primary oil. It is recommended that you always enter the type of paint you would like to use the primary type to ensure compatibility between the two.
When the primer is completely dry, you can start applying coats of paint allowing each coat to dry completely before moving on to the next coat. Apply as many coats of paint as necessary to smooth, even paint the finish. For better results you may also want to consider using very fine sandpaper between coats of sandpaper. Once you have removed all the coats, allow the item to dry thoroughly before using.
