HOW TO OBTAIN AN EVEN, "mirror like" SURFACE ON PAINTED MDF

[Storm]

Can you tell me where to get the Nordsco Easy Sand'n'Fill?

[mailee]

I use standard poly car body filler for screw holes and this seems to work. Just make sure the filler isn't sanded completely out so there is a perfectly round shape, it must blend into the surrounding area. Any vehicle bodyworker will tell you how it should look. Once this is acheived you should have no problem. It may show very slightly once the paint is applied but will dissapear after the nibbing and polishing process is complete. HTH.

[pawnhead]

Good tip there mailee. Interesting thread, and some good detailed advice from soundman.
I'll put it all to use when I make my kitchen doors next year.

One thing, is it possible to get a reasonable finish without buying a spraygun? I realise that it won't be quite as flat, but can anyone provide pics or a link to a good brush finished surface?
If not, can anyone recommend a reasonable (read cheapest) spraygun? I've got a nail gun compressor so I won't have to buy one of those at least.

[mailee]

Sorry John I can't comment on the paint applied by brush as I normally spray. You could try a foam roller which may be better. As for the spraygun I can't say as I am in the UK but you may look out for one of the small HVLP sprayguns and turbine compressor out there. I know of the Fuji one but it is very expensive but our local B&Q DIY store used to sell a cheap version of this that did a fine job for furniture. I think your compressor is a little too small for an HVLP gun and a normal spray gun would need many many more coats to allow you to sand back the finish. IMHO.

[soundman]

getting a perfectly flat surface finish isnt easy with anyhthing other than a spray gun
BUT
if you are happy with close....

depending on what you are working with and the surface you can get some good results by using an appropriate high quality brush, or a roller.

Just dont expect to use the finish product straight form the can.... you will almost cretianly have to thin.....(the appropriate thinner that can be an interesting question)..adding one of the flow improvers or a retarding thinner can sometimes be a worthwhile option.........you will have to rub out each coat very carefully and persistence will develop skill...... translation....you will keed redoing it till you get it right

There are heaps of cheap compressors and guns about you should be able to get something that sprays paint for $200......but you will soon realise the limitations and frustrations of such systems.

cheers

[Cruzi]

To get glass like effect as in car finishing, you apply a few layers of clear gloss over your coloured paint.

[astrid]

he could probably hire a spray gun.
Astrid

[soundman]

To get glass like effect as in car finishing, you apply a few layers of clear gloss over your coloured paint.

indeed so, but if you surface preparation and subsiquent between coat tratment isnt up to snuff you will just end up with very glossy imperfections which will stick out like ...... well you know.

we also need to understand that with nitro and acrilic laquers there is a certain amout of reflow as the top coats reflow the underlying coats....this cand be good and bad.....if your surface prep is perfect and your laying up of the coats is good the last coat will reflow the sanding scratces of the coat below giving a perfect surface.
If however your surface prep is sus and you are heavy handed with the coats your inperfections will keep reflowing on each following coat... a real PITA.

most other finished do not reflow like laquer.

As using a hire gun......I dont think it would be economical.

cheers

[pawnhead]

Well there's some really cheap guns on eBay. There's others around the $70 mark, and there's more expensive than that. I wouldn't know what to look for, but $6 pp isn't that much to loose.

$70 isn't all that much either, but are they crap as well?