A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
oups.com...
A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?


Sounds like the MDF was wet in spots.

On Aug 13, 4:14 pm, "Leon" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

oups.com...





A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?


- Sounds like the MDF was wet in spots.-

I doubt it was wet...at least not obviously. It was in my dry basement
for few days, then in my shop. Built, dusted and finished. No obvious
signs of moisture...it was evenly colored.

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Aug 13, 4:14 pm, "Leon" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

oups.com...





A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?


- Sounds like the MDF was wet in spots.-

I doubt it was wet...at least not obviously. It was in my dry basement
for few days, then in my shop. Built, dusted and finished. No obvious
signs of moisture...it was evenly colored.

could your player be shedding oil from a cap that may be going bad? how
about oil slung out of the motor driving the disk? if it were me, i'd open
the bottom of the player to see if there's anything in there or any kind of
wetness on the bottom plate.

On Aug 13, 5:46 pm, "charlie"
wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

oups.com...





On Aug 13, 4:14 pm, "Leon" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

groups.com...

A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?

- Sounds like the MDF was wet in spots.-

I doubt it was wet...at least not obviously. It was in my dry basement
for few days, then in my shop. Built, dusted and finished. No obvious
signs of moisture...it was evenly colored.

could your player be shedding oil from a cap that may be going bad? how
about oil slung out of the motor driving the disk? if it were me, i'd open
the bottom of the player to see if there's anything in there or any kind of
wetness on the bottom plate.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Thought of that...brand new unit, no leaks. Besides, my CD's would
have to be leaking also.

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
oups.com...


Thought of that...brand new unit, no leaks. Besides, my CD's would
have to be leaking also.


Maybe Cocaroach poo. ?

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
oups.com...
A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?

=====All of the above and one other thought! Could you have been playing
some real tear-jerker cds?*G*

Leif

On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:20:13 -0700, DerbyDad03
wrote:

A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?

Clearly the woodworking gods are angry that you attempted to make
something of MDF semi-permanent.

MDF really really doesn't like getting wet. I'd be a nice explanation
to think that it got a good soaking before you bought it, then the
surface dried out to where you would think it was fine. But the stuff
would just disintegrate on you when you tried to work with it if that
happened. So I don't know. Maybe you had a breakin by a very skinny
cat that likes music.

I'd test that finish on scraps of that MDF and on something else.
that should answer some questions.


-Leuf

On Aug 13, 8:27 pm, "Leif Thorvaldson" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

oups.com...



A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?

=====All of the above and one other thought! Could you have been
playing
some real tear-jerker cds?*G*

I did play Stevie Ray Vaughan's version of "The Sky Is Crying"
recently, along with some cuts from Leon Redbone's "Up A Lazy River"
and a Muddy Water's CD. Who knows...

DerbyDad03 wrote:
A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?


Here's what I've found sometimes happens.
MDF is usually transported in a pack, on open tray trucks. (In OZ it is)
The top and bottom sheets are regarded as cover sheets and are not sold
by distributors as they sometimes have diesel, road grime etc. on them.
I sometimes obtain these sheets for rough projects, for 5 or 10 dollars
each and they seem to suffer the same as you are describing, even after
a good sanding.

Perhaps your supplier reckoned the sheet looked good enough to sell?

Just speculating

regards
John

On Aug 13, 11:51 pm, Leuf wrote:
On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:46:11 -0700, DerbyDad03
wrote:





Here's what I've found sometimes happens.
MDF is usually transported in a pack, on open tray trucks. (In OZ it is)
The top and bottom sheets are regarded as cover sheets and are not sold
by distributors as they sometimes have diesel, road grime etc. on them.
I sometimes obtain these sheets for rough projects, for 5 or 10 dollars
each and they seem to suffer the same as you are describing, even after
a good sanding.

Perhaps your supplier reckoned the sheet looked good enough to sell?

Your explanation sounds plausible, but I have some doubts. These were
2' x 4' sheets and the defects are showing on parts made from 3
different sheets. I bought 6 of the dozen or so sheets at the borg so
the odds of getting 3 cover sheets seems pretty slim - but not
impossible. I certainly didn't notice any stains on them, 'cuz I'm
pretty picky.

BTW - the 2' by 4' sizing is at best a minimum. The sheets I bought
ranged from 24.5'' to 25" x 48.5" to 49". I planned my prototype
around the 2' x 4' sheets to minimize cuts. Guess how well that worked
out?

Well they started out as full sheets and the borg cuts them in
quarters. So it would make sense that 4 in a row in the stack would
have the same problem. I'd have thought something like that would
show up right away during finishing, but I confess to have never tried
to finish MDF Last time I got 2x4 sheets they were all the same
size though.

-Leuf- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


-- Well they started out as full sheets and the borg cuts them in
-- quarters...
-- Last time I got 2x4 sheets they were all the same
-- size though.

But were they 2x4? If they did start as full sheets and the borg cut
them, then either your 2x4 sheets were just under 2x4 or the original
sheet was over 4x8. In my case, all my sheets were well over 2x4, some
as much as an inch over in both directions. Assuming none of the
sheets in the rack were under 2x4 (and I didn't see any) then the
original sheet must have been way over 4x8.

DerbyDad03 wrote in
ups.com:

snip
But were they 2x4? If they did start as full sheets and the borg cut
them, then either your 2x4 sheets were just under 2x4 or the original
sheet was over 4x8. In my case, all my sheets were well over 2x4, some
as much as an inch over in both directions. Assuming none of the
sheets in the rack were under 2x4 (and I didn't see any) then the
original sheet must have been way over 4x8.


It's not unknown that MDF sheets are oversized in both directions...

Patriarch

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
oups.com...
A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?

Since you're in the market for suggestions, I have a theory.

Perhaps your wipe-on poly hadn't finished outgassing (or even the MDF), and the CDs prevented proper
ventilation to allow the evaporant (is that a word?) to properly boil off.
Under your CD player, perhaps some heat radiated downwards and did some damage to the surface.

On 14 Aug, 06:44, "Dave Gordon" d@p wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

oups.com...





A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?

Since you're in the market for suggestions, I have a theory.

Perhaps your wipe-on poly hadn't finished outgassing (or even the MDF), and the CDs prevented proper
ventilation to allow the evaporant (is that a word?) to properly boil off.
Under your CD player, perhaps some heat radiated downwards and did some damage to the surface.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

-- Perhaps your wipe-on poly hadn't finished outgassing (or even the
MDF)

That theory has always been in the back of my mind. I let the final
coat dry for about 24 hours and then moved it to the living room and
loaded it it up. You could smell the poly for a few days afterward. I
could tell you the whole saga of my kid's HS graduation, the out-of-
town guests, the new living room furniture, etc. but suffice it to say
I was was rushed and had to get it set up AQAP.

I'll call that theory the winner. Thanks!

In article . com,
DerbyDad03 wrote:
On 14 Aug, 06:44, "Dave Gordon" d@p wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

oups.com...

A few weekends ago I built a prototype of a low-slung entertainment
center out of MDF. SWMBO wanted a visual of the size and shape before
I commited time and funds to the actual item. Sort of like this, but
with no drawers or doors on the prototype:

http://www.sauder.com/images/drawing...nza_401111.jpg

Since building the real one is going to be my winter project, I
figured I would finish the MDF with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly.
Now, a few weeks later, I am beginning to see spots and areas where
the finish is turning white and other areas where the surface is
cloudy and rough.

I store CD's on one shelf and the finish under the CD's is white and
rough. There's a rough, cloudy spot under the DVD player where it
looks like something dripped on it, but there's no way that could have
happened - it's *under* the player. One exterior side has spots that
look like something splashed on it, but it's on a rug with the side
facing a area where no liquids would have been present.

It looked fine (well, fine for an MDF entertainment center!) for a
couple of weeks and then I noticed these imperfections in various
areas. Any idea what might be happening?

Since you're in the market for suggestions, I have a theory.

Perhaps your wipe-on poly hadn't finished outgassing (or even the
MDF), and the CDs prevented proper
ventilation to allow the evaporant (is that a word?) to properly boil off.
Under your CD player, perhaps some heat radiated downwards and did
some damage to the surface.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

-- Perhaps your wipe-on poly hadn't finished outgassing (or even the
MDF)

That theory has always been in the back of my mind. I let the final
coat dry for about 24 hours and then moved it to the living room and
loaded it it up. You could smell the poly for a few days afterward. I
could tell you the whole saga of my kid's HS graduation, the out-of-
town guests, the new living room furniture, etc. but suffice it to say
I was was rushed and had to get it set up AQAP.

I'll call that theory the winner. Thanks!

If you'd _previously_ mentioned 24-hrs from finish to 'installation' and
loading, practically *everybody* would have jumped on that.

Poly generally needs _at_least_ a week to 'mostly' cure. Figure 2-4 weeks
for the process to be 'essentially' complete. The curing process never
completely stops -- it just gets 'slower' the closer to complete things get.

What you're seeing under the CD player is almost assuredly the result of a
'heat' issue from the CD player.

"Under the CD's" sounds like a 'lack of fresh air with something sitting
on it' problem. The surface will pick up 'texturing' from the stuff it is
in extended contact with, _before_ being fully cured.

In addition, *most* MDF _itself_ has an 'outgassing' issue for an _extended_
period (e.g., 6-12 months or more) after manufacture. Somewhat erratic, but
it happens more/faster when exposed to even medium heat.