High Gloss Acrylic

[Geoff Sims]

Over the years I've built a lot of projects from timber and have never been tempted to cover it up. But, alas, my better half ha decided she want's some new furniture for the love nest, but she wants it to be white and shiny.

Since it's going to be covered up, I'm not going to sacrifice good timber so I will be using a lot of MDF.

Can anyone please tell me what kind of finish one should use on MDF to achieve a high gloss, be it white, or any other colour, and how should it be applied?

[Shane Watson]

Well you can use a lot of different products. Pigmented N/C Lacquer, Pigmented Poly-u, Automotive enamels, Household paints. Hell just about most clear finishes can be pigmented. But the above are regularly available from specialist paint suppliers ( such as automotive supply stores ) Probably the best way to apply these is by spraygun, But they can be brushed etc. Just cause there pigmented, dosn't really mean they are applied any differently. You can still use clear sealers etc before using the pigmented stuff as a top coat, this saves buying pigmented sealer/undercoat. So long as its compatible with the top coat product though.

By the way, Welcome to the board!

HTH

Cheers!!



------------------
Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

[Rod Smith]

welcome Geoff
Just jumping in to agree with Shane and doorstop, good advice. Its definately worth checking the price to get it sprayed, pigmented coatings can be a real pain to get perfect. Definately recommend using a sealer though if you do it yourself. Mdf sure soaks it up.
Good luck
Seeya
Rod

[Geoff Sims]

Many thanks for your answers. I think I will take your advice and get a professional to spray my creations for me.

I do have the gear to spraypaint, but I've never really been much good at it. OK for stuff outside, but I don't want to stuff up my furniture, especially since it will be inside the house and every man and his dog will gawk at it when they visit.

Thanks also for your for your welcome to this BB. I hope I can contribute some good ideas from time to time as I've made lots of mistakes over the years, but I learn from them and only make them once.

THANKS

[ubeaut]

G'day Geoff - You're also allowed to share your mistakes with us. Gives some of us a bit of a laugh (often a nervous laugh thinking of when we did the same thing) and sometimes stops others from making the same ones.

[Dod]

Doorstop,
Could you give some details on the painting process the paint shop will use? What do they yse for sealer/undercoat? Will they top coat in lacquer or enamel?
I am just interested.
Thanks
Dod

Originally posted by doors
I have just finished a large shop counter in mdf, the customer wants it painted, I don't want to use my guns for anything but lacquer.

The counter is now at the local panel works getting the paint applied.