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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Spray painting MDF…?
Having been looking at fireplace mantelpieces I am finding that in the
style and price range I'm looking at the majority seem to be rather simple affairs made out of sprayed MDF so I've decided to try my hand at making my own. The design and construction of the mantel should not be a problem however I would like a super-smooth white finish (no brush marks) and figured my best bet to achieve would be spray painting. Based on this premise, I have a few questions: 1. Will spray cans from the likes of Plastikote suffice? (e.g. http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode---4181) Depending on the success of this project it could well be a one-off so is the alternative expense of a compressor/gun justifiable? 2. The use of MDF will presumably absolutely priming - I do have a tin of MDF primer but will my desired super-smooth finish be compromised by applying said primer with a brush? Alternatively, Plastikote do do a spray primer if that would likely be better? 3. Will undercoat be required? 4. It was my intention to go for a Satin finish on the basis that this would give me some of the shine of gloss but the surface forgiveness of matt? 5. Any tips or things I should be aware of? Sorry for all these questions, but if you can help steer me on the right path it would be appreciated. Mathew |
#2
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Spray painting MDF…?
On 02/11/2010 11:19, Mathew Newton wrote:
Having been looking at fireplace mantelpieces I am finding that in the style and price range I'm looking at the majority seem to be rather simple affairs made out of sprayed MDF so I've decided to try my hand at making my own. The design and construction of the mantel should not be a problem however I would like a super-smooth white finish (no brush marks) and figured my best bet to achieve would be spray painting. Based on this premise, I have a few questions: 1. Will spray cans from the likes of Plastikote suffice? (e.g. http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode---4181) Depending on the success of this project it could well be a one-off so is the alternative expense of a compressor/gun justifiable? 2. The use of MDF will presumably absolutely priming - I do have a tin of MDF primer but will my desired super-smooth finish be compromised by applying said primer with a brush? Alternatively, Plastikote do do a spray primer if that would likely be better? 3. Will undercoat be required? 4. It was my intention to go for a Satin finish on the basis that this would give me some of the shine of gloss but the surface forgiveness of matt? 5. Any tips or things I should be aware of? Sorry for all these questions, but if you can help steer me on the right path it would be appreciated. Mathew MDF isn't the easiest stuff to finish because the face of the board is a different consistency to the edges. IME getting the edges as smooth and non-absorbent as the faces requires a lot of fine filling and sanding. You're either good at spraying or you're not. I watched a hoodlum refinishing a car wing in our local car park. Perfect job with just an aerosol can. I couldn't get close, whatever equipment I had. |
#3
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Spray painting MDF…?
On 2 Nov, 11:58, stuart noble wrote:
MDF isn't the easiest stuff to finish because the face of the board is a different consistency to the edges. Also the problem of water-based primers raising surface fibres. I just use a few coats of cheap shellac on both. Takes about three coats to do edges. |
#4
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Spray painting MDF…?
On Nov 2, 11:19*am, Mathew Newton wrote:
Having been looking at fireplace mantelpieces I am finding that in the style and price range I'm looking at the majority seem to be rather simple affairs made out of sprayed MDF so I've decided to try my hand at making my own. The design and construction of the mantel should not be a problem however I would like a super-smooth white finish (no brush marks) and figured my best bet to achieve would be spray painting. Based on this premise, I have a few questions: 1. Will spray cans from the likes of Plastikote suffice? (e.g.http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode---4181) Depending on the success of this project it could well be a one-off so is the alternative expense of a compressor/gun justifiable? any spray can should do. Cans, or the paint therein, vary a lot in their characteristics though, point it at a bit of scrap for a moment first. 2. The use of MDF will presumably absolutely priming - I do have a tin of MDF primer but will my desired super-smooth finish be compromised by applying said primer with a brush? Alternatively, Plastikote do do a spray primer if that would likely be better? 3. Will undercoat be required? 4. It was my intention to go for a Satin finish on the basis that this would give me some of the shine of gloss but the surface forgiveness of matt? 5. Any tips or things I should be aware of? Sorry for all these questions, but if you can help steer me on the right path it would be appreciated. Mathew A key point when spray painting is to do all the least important bits first, such as edges, recesses etc. Only then go over all the major areas - the latter will then be the flawless bits. Spray cans tend to use very thin paint nowadays, requiring many very thin coats to be applied. NT |
#5
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Spray painting MDF…?
On Nov 2, 1:59*pm, Tabby wrote:
A key point when spray painting is to do all the least important bits first, such as edges, recesses etc. Only then go over all the major areas - the latter will then be the flawless bits. Makes sense - thanks for that tip. Spray cans tend to use very thin paint nowadays, requiring many very thin coats to be applied. Do you think it will be an issue me applying primer with a brush? Or would I be better using a spray primer (or shellac as used by Andy)? Mathew |
#6
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Spray painting MDF…?
On 2 Nov, 20:08, Mathew Newton wrote:
Do you think it will be an issue me applying primer with a brush? Or would I be better using a spray primer (or shellac as used by Andy)? Spray cans are an expensive way to do anything. I only use them when I can't do it any other way. If you're brushing shellac, use a cheap artist's nylon (aka "Golden Taklon") 3/4" filbert. Don't clean it, just wipe it, let it go hard, then soften it with more shellac next time. Nylon (or at least synthetic) bristles are the trick. |
#7
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Spray painting MDF…?
On Nov 2, 11:19 am, Mathew Newton wrote:
Having been looking at fireplace mantelpieces I am finding that in the style and price range I'm looking at the majority seem to be rather simple affairs made out of sprayed MDF so I've decided to try my hand at making my own. The design and construction of the mantel should not be a problem however I would like a super-smooth white finish (no brush marks) and figured my best bet to achieve would be spray painting. Based on this premise, I have a few questions: 1. Will spray cans from the likes of Plastikote suffice? (e.g.http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode---4181) Depending on the success of this project it could well be a one-off so is the alternative expense of a compressor/gun justifiable? 2. The use of MDF will presumably absolutely priming - I do have a tin of MDF primer but will my desired super-smooth finish be compromised by applying said primer with a brush? Alternatively, Plastikote do do a spray primer if that would likely be better? 3. Will undercoat be required? 4. It was my intention to go for a Satin finish on the basis that this would give me some of the shine of gloss but the surface forgiveness of matt? 5. Any tips or things I should be aware of? Sorry for all these questions, but if you can help steer me on the right path it would be appreciated. Mathew FWIW I recently sprayed a plywood bathroom window cill in Plastikote gloss white, ontop of High Build primer (car), on top of primer and fine filler to bung the grain up (which you won;t have being MDF) Looked fantastic and still looks v. good - but the white plastikote top layer does seem rather sensitive to scratches, chips and most annoyingly the kids' bath toys - a wet submarine for e.g left definite indented marks in the surface when moved the next day - which was not the desired effect!! Twas almost like the submarine had stuck/melted to the paint?? Spose could be a reaction between the different layers/types of paint I used? certainly when I tried to over lacquer the plastikote with car lacquer (on a test piece) it reacted badly and effectively ruined the plastikote layer.... I wonder if using all car paints (from paint factor not halfords ;)) would be a better route next time? Jim K |
#8
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Spray painting MDF…?
On Nov 2, 8:08*pm, Mathew Newton wrote:
On Nov 2, 1:59*pm, Tabby wrote: A key point when spray painting is to do all the least important bits first, such as edges, recesses etc. Only then go over all the major areas - the latter will then be the flawless bits. Makes sense - thanks for that tip. Spray cans tend to use very thin paint nowadays, requiring many very thin coats to be applied. Do you think it will be an issue me applying primer with a brush? Or would I be better using a spray primer (or shellac as used by Andy)? Mathew I havent spray painted in a while, but if going to the trouble of spraying for a great finish I wouldnt want to d that onto an icky brushpainted layer. NT |
#9
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Spray painting MDF…?
Andy Dingley wrote:
On 2 Nov, 20:08, Mathew Newton wrote: Do you think it will be an issue me applying primer with a brush? Or would I be better using a spray primer (or shellac as used by Andy)? Spray cans are an expensive way to do anything. I only use them when I can't do it any other way. I've just sprayed a couple of kitchen cabinet doors to get a smooth finish. Used grey primer undercoat a pound a can from Poundland. Seemed to work well. Much better than my attempt at brushing although the brushing effect would probably have been better if I had thinned it a bit more. Andrew |
#10
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Spray painting MDF…?
In message
Jim K wrote: On Nov 2, 11:19 am, Mathew Newton wrote: Having been looking at fireplace mantelpieces I am finding that in the style and price range I'm looking at the majority seem to be rather simple affairs made out of sprayed MDF so I've decided to try my hand at making my own. Spose could be a reaction between the different layers/types of paint I used? certainly when I tried to over lacquer the plastikote with car lacquer (on a test piece) it reacted badly and effectively ruined the plastikote layer.... I wonder if using all car paints (from paint factor not halfords ;)) would be a better route next time? Jim K You are supposed to use the same paint type when using highly volatile paints like Plasti-Kote because the thinner can cause adverse reactions, even when using the exact paint type and thinner can still cause reactions, as there is a time frame to apply or reapply these types of volatile solvent based paints, which tend to bond a bit like cellulose by softening the underneath layer, of course this doesn't apply to conventional oil or water based paints, usually just car paints. Stephen. -- http://www.stephen.hull.btinternet.co.uk Coach painting tips and techniques + Land Rover colour codes "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble". Henry Royce |
#11
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Spray painting MDF…?
On Nov 3, 1:41*am, Tabby wrote:
I havent spray painted in a while, but if going to the trouble of spraying for a great finish I wouldnt want to d that onto an icky brushpainted layer. Another reason to use shellac. Thin film, solvent based rather than film curing, easy to brush smooth. |
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