The best paint for MDF board is Oil-based paint. Oil-based paints are common and will work with any solvent-based primer on your MDF. Remember that you need to use paint thinner with oil-based paints. The paint thinner is also used to clean brushes and trays.
You can use both oil-based paint and water-based paint on MDF. In general, while oil-based paint has traditionally been higher quality than water-based paint, todays technology means that water-based paint is just as good.
Prime the MDF with a solvent-based primer, such as Zinsser (buy online) or KILZ (buy online). Avoid water-based primer, as it may cause the wood fibers to swell, resulting in a surface that appears to have a raised grain (no matter how much effort you put into sanding).
For a smooth finish, you need to sand the edges of MDF down, but first, lightly sand the surface. A lightly sanded surface will give the MDF board a 'key' that the paint can cling to. Then wipe away any dust with a soft cloth. I would avoid wetting the cloth as MDF sucks up water, which causes swelling.
Do I Need to Apply a Primer Before Painting MDF? Yes. While MDF is versatile and easy to work with, it doesn't like moisture. If any gets into the wood it can swell and warp.
Priming the MDF properly is very important for, as well as sealing it ready for painting, it prevents the compounds being released. It is always a good idea to wear a mask when working with MDF, even if not actually sawing it.
Paint the Furniture
If the MDF furniture is currently unfinished, sand the edges smooth and use a solvent-based primer rather than a water-based product to prevent bubbling. Choose an opaque finish in white, black or a bold color such as cherry red for modern or traditional spaces, advises Huffpost.
MDF can be painted with ordinary paint once it has been coated with a special primer, such as the one below.
With its porous surface and flaky edges, MDF may not seem like a good candidate for a successful paint job. It's true that paint applied directly to MDF can cause the surface to become swollen and distorted. Edges siphon up paint, no matter how much paint you apply.
For sealing your MDF surfaces, we would recommend the use of our Kilz Original oil-based primer. This product should be able to properly prime and seal your project and offers the versatility of being top-coated with a latex paint.
Water based will be fine i use water based paint on mdf all the time! However make sure the edges of your mdf a sanded really well! Like to the point of it being smooth! The edges will suck the paint up so primer is always a good idea on mdf!
MDF will absorb moisture and water, causing the board to splinter, swell or crack. Because MDF is so sensitive to water and moisture, it's best to avoid using water-based paint on anything made with MDF.
Yes, you can paint MDF with emulsion which is very convenient if you're looking to paint your MDF wall panels. However, for a hard-wearing finish on objects such as display cabinets and storage units, it's better to use a self-priming satinwood or gloss.
As soon as you seal the MDF with a primer and apply a coat of paint, you can use any paint you like. However, you should avoid emulsion if possible. In order to achieve a durable finish, you should add an eggshell, satinwood, or gloss layer, depending on the type of finish you want.
Seal MDF Edges Which Are the Most Absorbent
You can use an acrylic paint sealer or drywall sealer, or you can use glue or oil based primers which will help prevent the edges from swelling. Use whichever primer will dry fastest in your particular humidity. The trick is to keep moisture to a minimum.
I have used mdf sealer, diluted pva, and acrylic primer for the initial coat, with the main purpose being to seal the mdf prior to the main painting. I think it depends on how much painting you want to do. The mdf sealer gives you a better 'looking' finish when you apply the first coat of paint.
MDF can be painted with acrylic paint of any quality. You can apply latex primer and latex paint to large surfaces such as bookshelves or cabinets made of MDF after rolling on a latex primer. You will ruin your hard work if you let any moisture in the MDF.
Apply one or two coats of primer to your cabinets and follow the drying time for each coat. It is tempting to recoat soon after but always allow for the paint to fully dry. Once the primer is dry you can apply your topcoat. You can use either an eggshell paint or satinwood paint.
MDF can be painted with acrylic paint of any quality. You can apply latex primer and latex paint to large surfaces such as bookshelves or cabinets made of MDF after rolling on a latex primer.
You should never use a latex primer for your MDF because it will cause the wood to expand, and stay away from multi-purpose primers too. You should only use a solvent-based primer.
In this guide we show you how to overcome these problems using Zinsser products such as Bulls Eye 1-2-3, an unrivalled MDF primer with exellent adhesion that dries quickly and can be used on a whole host of substrates.
Priming. Ensure the surface is free from any contaminants and anything that could interfere with adhesion. Prime overall with one full coat of Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 Primer Sealer in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Allow a minimum drying time of 1 hour in normal conditions.
Zinsser's Bullseye 1-2-3 is our top selection for wood primers. Incredibly versatile, both on wood and other porous surfaces, this primer provides excellent enamel undercoating. A fast-drying interior surface primer, the 1-2-3 will go outside and do exterior priming also.
If it is properly dried, you can paint over it. Make sure you leave enough time between coats if you are doing two coats over it. It seems that BE123 slows the drying process a little, and if you try and apply a second coat soon, you will notice the paint dragging.