Thread: Painting MDF with 2Pac?

You'd most be best of directing this question at the auto shop where you're planning on taking it to.

They'll be able to advise on what primers are most suitable to be used with their 2-pack finishes

I have used the whiteknight stuff under enamels.....and it works ok but DJ is right...best check with the autoshop.... I would think their metal primer would be ok.

The most important thing is to get a good flat finish first if you are doing it yourself. That means sanding the edges smooth, giving a good build up of the sealer/undercoat and sanding the the whole thing with wet/dry atleast 400 with water and a little detergent. Some use filler in the edges.

Have you considered just sending your cabinet to a cabinet maker/kitchen place as they do this stuff all the time with mdf. They will have the experience to get a good 2 pac finish with mdf.

Just my 2c worth!

i'm not sure if its avalible in oz but the vey best mdf primer is a shellac based primer called zinnser BIN. but as has been sugested speak to your spray guys first.

Zinnser BIN is available here. I'm not overly impressed with it. It sticks to anything, but the top coat seems to get easily damaged

Use the proper primer for the top coat, that's all we used for doing car audio. Do wipe down all surfaces a dewaxer before painting.
Some resin(casting/fibreglass/epoxy)is a quick way to seal mdf endgrain.

timbermate.. watered down is the best for an edge filler. Mirotone make good 2 pac polys for timber

Cheers
Pulse

Originally Posted by Harry72

Use the proper primer for the top coat, that's all we used for doing car audio. Do wipe down all surfaces a dewaxer before painting.
Some resin(casting/fibreglass/epoxy)is a quick way to seal mdf endgrain.

Dewaxer is the all purpose wonder stuff for all things automotive, apart from dewaxing new imported vehicles, it is also a great stain remover for carpets and seats and its great for removing bitumen from paint work, can also be used as a degreaser and bug guts remover.

Ok well i have seen a lot of people looking for ways to seal mdf edges and unless you get it proffesionaly done i suggest that if you are using 9-18mm thick mdf to seal the edges with white .4 thick iron on edgeing then paint over that i have used this method a 100 times and it works the best but i still use acrylic sealer on the top surface as it still sucks in the paint. i work at a benchtop factory and i have contacts with mdf cabinet door making companies and they all suggest that if you want a perfect finish to get it done by prrofessionals..

i have also had fantastic result using standard gloss enamels instead of wasting money on automotive paints please email [email protected] for more help

Diluted PVA is a good sealer for MDF edges and sands more easily than most of the other recommendations. It soaks in quickly and sands to a good finish. 1 in 4 or 1 in 3 dilution is about right

Originally Posted by Chipman

I have used the whiteknight stuff under enamels.....and it works ok but DJ is right...best check with the autoshop.... I would think their metal primer would be ok.

The most important thing is to get a good flat finish first if you are doing it yourself. That means sanding the edges smooth, giving a good build up of the sealer/undercoat and sanding the the whole thing with wet/dry atleast 400 with water and a little detergent. Some use filler in the edges.

Have you considered just sending your cabinet to a cabinet maker/kitchen place as they do this stuff all the time with mdf. They will have the experience to get a good 2 pac finish with mdf.

Just my 2c worth!

Thanks mate great advice! The first cabinet maker in town I rang said that all the local cabinet makers send their stuff to a local 2 pack kitchen finisher. I gave them a call and they will do it from bare MDF. They sounded like they know what they are doing too.

Cheers