gloss on MDF

[Tonyz]

as a project for someone else I have been asked to make some cabinets and have a semi/gloss finish on them.
Its 17mm std MDF
I plan on sealing first, but due to the sixe and number of these units was toying with finishing in automotive paint and using a spray gun. much quicker but will it be suitable?
I know that between each coat a going over with 240g sanding will help with the edges.

what else do I need to think of
Youtube is full of various ideas some conflicting

[China]

I would not consider any thing but a spray gun, nothing special, just a good undercoat sealer suitable for MDF sand between coats etc. On doors especially do the same back and front to prevent banana doors.

[woodPixel]

I did a good writeup on painting MDF.

I did HUGE quantities of it when I was doing kids furniture on commish for retailers.

Let me find it.

Here: Help wanted High Gloss finish on MDF?
Here: Sealing MDF board
More experiences: Haymes Tricoat anyone ?
A video: YouTube

Def use a sandable sealer/undercoat. Haymes Tricoat (now called something else?) was absolutely the go-to product. It was quick, fast and sanded very well. I could lay down 2 or 3 undercoats for a perfect prep (VERY light sand to de-nib and check edges) and then colour.

[jack620]

Haymes Tricoat (now called something else?) was absolutely the go-to product.

They still make a Tricoat. Was this it?

Product Information - Haymes Paint

[Tonyz]

what a fantastic read WP.

my problem is no availability in Pt Lincoln. I see its available Mitre 10 Whyalla <3 hours drive one way, I will contact the local Mitre10 tomorrow plus another paint specalist.
but is there another paint brand suitable?

[Pearo]

I had a crack with some water based gloss enamel recently (dulux brand). Did a few doors, sprayed on, was ok. I sanded back with 600 grit and buffed it and got an very glossy finish. Matched the 2 pack kitchen finish.

[woodPixel]

They still make a Tricoat. Was this it?

Product Information - Haymes Paint

Thats it.

Same stuff. Sealer, filler, undercoat.

Its great, it goes under everything.

On painting, I hate water based finishes. Undercoats are fine, but finishes just dont flow properly.

Water based is good for walls and that's all. They just don't carry the gloss, they flow horribly and bloom so friggin easily it ends up being a pain.

A well finished surface with tricoat and a dust of oil colours, let it tack, then two thin coats more and you are done. Absolutely no need to lay on a zillion coats or do extra work.

[woodPixel]

what a fantastic read WP.

my problem is no availability in Pt Lincoln. I see its available Mitre 10 Whyalla <3 hours drive one way, I will contact the local Mitre10 tomorrow plus another paint specalist.
but is there another paint brand suitable?

Just have them post it to you. Haymes is sold in heaps of places. The Paint Place is where I grab mine (or used to!)

[Tonyz]

Mitre 10 must be after new clients, they sold me 1 litre Dulux 1Step primer sealer undercoat for half price as they dont sell Haymes.
My comment well if it dosent work I havent lost much.