How Do I Paint MDF?
MDF stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. It is an engineered wood product, which means that it combines wood fibres and wax, which gets pressed together using high pressure and heat.
Some items are better suited to MDF than others. For example, the key disadvantage of using MDF is that it doesn't react well to moisture or liquids. If it gets wet MDF will expand considerably. So, it is advisable to avoid using MDF in bathrooms and kitchens
The process of painting MDF is relatively straightforward, however, there are several crucial steps that you need to remember.
Preparation
You should first gently sand the MDF board with a fine graded paper, ideally with a sanding block – this keeps the surface flat and uniform.
Next, the surface should be wiped with a cloth dipped with a small amount of white spirit. Don’t pour the bottle onto the board as it may stain the board, just apply enough to dampen the cloth. Use this to remove the dust, oils and any contaminants from the area you want to paint
Because the edges of MDF board are incredibly absorbent, you should seal them, even if they will be hidden from view. This can be done by applying several additional layers of primer to the edges.
Once the surfaces are prepared, it’s time to apply the first coat of primer.
Priming Options
- Otex Akva
- Helmi Primer
- Akvi Primer (Fast drying option for spraying)
Topcoat Options
Once dry, the MDF can be painted with your preferred topcoat.
- Everal Aqua 10, Everal Aqua 40 or Everal Aqua 80, depending on the sheen level required
- Helmi 10, Helmi 30 or Helmi 80, depending on the sheen level required
- Empire Furniture Paint
- Akvi Top DS25 (Fast drying option for spraying)
If you require more advice on painting over MDF, give our technical team a call on 0131 334 4999 or send them a message here.
