Spray painting MDF board

[mickem]

Gday,

I have recently made a display stand out of 12mm mdf board, and am wanting to spray paint it a glossy finish. I know this board (the edges in particular) are extremely unkind to paint given the absorption. I am wanting to spray it a black colour. Can anyone give me some advice as to what type of undercoat and paint would be best to use, and what would be the more ideal, water or mineral based? I dont want to spend an arm and a leg on the paint, given the cabinet only cost me $30 to make.

Regards,
Mickem

[Barry_White]

Hi Mickem

When I built my projector the whole box was built from MDF and I painted it using a cheap brand of acrylic primer sealer Performer brand from Kmart and actually brushed it on to the MDF and then I sprayed it with pressure pack cans of the cheapest black enamel I could find which was again from Kmart.

I would have used a spray pack of sealer if I realised that the brush marks would have shown through but still the job didn't come out too bad.

I have posted a link to the projecter thread to have a look at the finish. All the edges I rounded over with the router and they came out ok. I sprayed it with three coats.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showpost.php?p=108597&postcount=58

[Spelunx]

Depends how serious you want it to look, but the guys over at this forum have had some real success with spray-painting their speaker kits, which are made from MDF.

Have a look under DIY Guides, and the Owners Club forum, they have a finishing tips section.

http://www.theloudspeakerkit.com/

Cheers

[mickem]

thanks for info fellas, will take advantage of the tips!
regards,
mickem

[Pulse]

Mickem, fill the edges with timbermate thinned to a runny paste with water. Then prime with you choice of primer.]


Cheers
Pulse