finishing with 1 stage 2 pack paint ???

[paul ss]

hello all , new to the forum so quick hello to you all , as you probaly gatherd my names paul and i live in the missrable place called the uk where it's always bad weather :B

i have just become a member after reading varios parts of the forum as i have now decided to use MDF on a project that i am building .

i am hoping to paint my finished product with 1 stage 2 pack paint no clear coats just high gloss thiners , 1 part hardener/activator and then paint , not sure if you guys over the pond call it something else hence reason for explaining the product i plan to use , i only plan to use this paint as i have it left over from 2 weeks ago when i sprayed my car and have good 2 pints left .

i have done spraying in the past with work but non been a 2 pack paint was just painting furniture with clear and solid oak mainly , done the odd bit of staining and then shooting clear so most of the basics are there .

am a carpenter by trade not a sprayer but done spraying on and off for last couple of years hence my choice for doing this method.

i am not to familaer with using MDF more into using solid wood so am hoping pepole can shed some light and point me in the right direction .

which is the best MDF to use as we have varios kinds here and as am after a nice gloss finish as you would on car bodywork i need to make sure i get the correct matireal to start with , i am using 18mm .

whats the best way of sealing the mdf ?? couple of coats on water and pva glue mixed ???

i plan on using some decoraters caulk or bondo on the edges to give me a super smooth finish , is this the correct method of doing it ??

many thanks and appoligies about poor spelling and all the questions . :2tsup:

[durwood]

Its a bit hard to tell what actual product you are using from Australia. I presume you mean that the 2 pack paint you have is a normal solid colour which has hardener added as well as its solvent to reach the correct viscosity.

If this is the case use the paints recommended 2 pack primer which I assume you used on the car you painted.

As to what MDF, No idea what is available there but would think its similar worldwide. As the 2 pack paint uses solvent a lot different to other finishes it will possibly react with different materials underneath it like PVA in a lot of cases with disasterous results.

MDF usually has a wax incorporated in the finish which may be dissolved by the solvents. Wash the surface with the paints solvent first - wet the surface and wipe with a clean rag immediately before it evaporates The solvent will soften any wax removing it enough to allow the primer to dry without wax affecting it You should do a test first to determine if one wash is enough.

For the edge of the MDF use the same primer without thinner, brush it in, rub with your finger if you think it hasn't filled the fibres properly Let it set, rub smooth then prime the face and edges

As you have painted a car prepare the surface the same with primer and sanding till satisfactory. Then apply the colour.