Gloss paint finish for MDF furniture

[Trav]

Hi all

As a relative newcomer to furniture making, I am after some basic advice on how to finish a coffee table I am making. It is a pretty simple design, constructed from MDF. I want a gloss white finish, but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I have access to a compressor and spray gear, but I'm not sure of the appropriate technique or paint to use. Can anyone make any recommendations, including perhaps a book etc that might explain the process in more detail?

Trav

[craigb]

The current issue of Fine Woodworking has a comprehensive article on finsishing MDF. It's not in the newsagents yet though so I guess it's not much good to you. The author recommends undercoating with an oil based paint as this way the fibres won't absorb any water from the paint. Acryllic is o.k. to paint over the top of this apparently.

He also says to use plasterboard jointing compound for sealing the edges.

Craig

[echnidna]

The recommendation I got a few years ago when I was commercially productive was to seal MDF with automotive primer sealer and topcoat with auto laquer. Easy to do and gives an excellent finish.

[Tonyz]

We have just done a LARGE vanity unit for the bosses bathroom It was made from 35mm thick MDF and a standard sealer was sprayed on 2 coats rubbed down each time 320grit paper with areo sander then about 4 coats of automotive gloss again rubbed down then wiped with a 'tack cloth' after each coat"The more clean and still the air the better will be the outcome."
Then it was a case of rubbing compound and electric buffing machine. This produces a very glossy finish
Its Bl....... hard work but worth the time and effort commercially. Tonto

[soundman]

Automotive products are a good option.
wattyl super etch works well as a sealer the go with enamel or laquer of choice.

or
speak to mirotone ( or similar ) they have pro products specificaly for the purpose.

[bitingmidge]

And with Auto finishes there is a nice range of metallics that often seem to work well either as features or for the whole thing.

Mostly the dark greys and bronzes are the go for furniture but I have seen a couple of kitchens done recently in pearl finishes with gold/bronze base coats which give them a white through pink through gold colour depending on the light, tastefully done they look terrific, but I can hardly wait for it to get out of hand. It's only a matter of time before one of those LCD or whatever paints that change colour from blue to green to red to yellow gets used......great for the morning after I guess!

Cheers,

P