clear finish for mdf

[mic-d]

The assembly table I'm making here:
http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=80929
has an mdf top and I'm wondering what to use to finish it. My standard finish is FW floor seal followed by FW buffing oil. I don't know anything about clear finishing mdf or any other finishes besides FW. Can I use the floor seal, should I use proofseal or a sanding sealer first?
Ahh, I forgot to mention that I'll be sitting a false top on it - a piece of paulownia board, so wear is not important, but sticking of the dried finish to the false top is.
Cheers
Michael

[mic-d]

:bump:

anybody?

[Big Shed]

I always use a PU based sanding sealer, Protec in my case, followed by a couple of coats of Clear PU (again Protec). I used this on all my workshop cabinets, such as the router table (http://woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=47602&highlight=incra+router) and the most recent one, the base for the new metal lathe (http://woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=78788&highlight=lathe).

You can also use shellac as a sanding sealer followedd by the Clear PU.

Hope that helps.

[mic-d]

Thanks Big shed, is that a water-based PU? Cheers Michael

[Big Shed]

No just stock standard turps based.

[Mr Brush]

There is a water-based Estapol specifically for sealing MDF, after which you can apply several coats of the standard (turps based) Estapol over the top.

I just completed a clear-finished MDF project, but to be honest I didn't get on too well with the water-based Estapol. It is a milky colour in the can, but dries clear. They state that it can be diluted with up to 5% water for the first coat, but even with this it dries really, really quickly. Since they only specify brush application, the stuff doesn't flow out much and leaves noticeable brush marks.

I ended up laboriously sanding all the stuff off :((, then sealing my MDF with Ubeaut (what else?) white shellac diluted per the instructions on the bottle. A quick de-nib with steel wool, and the surface was sealed and ready to take multiple coats of standard Estapol to build up a tough finish.

[mic-d]

ah, okay thanks for the tip, one to avoid by the sound of it.

Cheers
Michael