Couple of opaque colored waterbased finishes available for spraying.
See www.homesteadfinishing.com as Jeff has a tinting machine for
matching commercial colors.

On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 16:54:47 GMT, "Yves" wrote:

Hi,

I need some advice for paintinf mdf doors (Spray).

I used to spray lacquer with sealer over wood.

But If I want some other color on MDF, what product is best.

I don't know what type of product gives the best finish, or on what type of
paint can I put laquer on , or should I use lacquer at all.


Thanks.

Hi,

I need some advice for paintinf mdf doors (Spray).

I used to spray lacquer with sealer over wood.

But If I want some other color on MDF, what product is best.

I don't know what type of product gives the best finish, or on what type of
paint can I put laquer on , or should I use lacquer at all.


Thanks.

Good interior grade latex will work great

John

On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 16:54:47 GMT, "Yves" wrote:

Hi,

I need some advice for paintinf mdf doors (Spray).

I used to spray lacquer with sealer over wood.

But If I want some other color on MDF, what product is best.

I don't know what type of product gives the best finish, or on what type of
paint can I put laquer on , or should I use lacquer at all.


Thanks.

On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 12:04:45 -0400, "
wrote:

On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 16:54:47 GMT, "Yves" wrote:

I need some advice for paintinf mdf doors (Spray).

I used to spray lacquer with sealer over wood.

But If I want some other color on MDF, what product is best.

I don't know what type of product gives the best finish, or on what type of
paint can I put laquer on , or should I use lacquer at all.

Couple of opaque colored waterbased finishes available for spraying.
See www.homesteadfinishing.com as Jeff has a tinting machine for
matching commercial colors.

I've heard great things about products from Homestead, but have never
used them. I have used the Magnalac series from M.L. Campbell
(http://www.mlcampbell.com/pages/home.asp) quite a bit. The antiqued
yellow look is apparently "hot" these days, so we've been using quite
a bit of the MagnaMax White/Opaque Base that's been pigmented to match
the customer's color preference. Prior to this, however, we use
Magnalac Primer/Undercoater as the base coat.

A few things I've recently learned - I'm posting them here for those
who may be in the position I was about 2 months ago!

- Sand well, especially on any freshly exposed MDF areas. We only
sand the hardwood frames (usually poplar) to 120, but we take the MDF
to 220. Any tiny knotholes, cracks, dips or gasp gaps in the joints
will show up much more clearly with paint than they will with
clearcoat. You can putty after the primer (as well as after a coat of
the lacquer itself), but it's more efficient to try and do it all at
once,and proprly,the first go-round.
- When applying the primer, you needn't go real heavy when you band
the edges, as they'll get hit again when you do the other side. Plus,
since they are vertical surfaces they are more prone to drip. I take
a quick pass on all four edges and then lay on a thick coat across the
surface.
- After banding, I align the door so the long edge points into the
spray booth. It seems to make it easier for me to get even overlaps,
and thus even coverage. Then I stand just off the back right corner
of the door (I'm a lefty), angle the gun 10 to 15 degrees into the
booth and start on the nearest corner, moving the gun back and forth
across the board. Paint is much easier to see from a coverage
perspective, but still can present problems with bubbling, dry spray
and overspray. I *think* I hold the gun a little closer to the work
and move a little quicker back and forth. The first one or two passes
should cover the nearest rail/stile and now you're on to the junction
of the panel and the frame. This is where it gets just a little
tricky (for me). I've learned to sort of roll my wrist under a little
bit to get the spray to hit the inside edge of the board you just
sprayed. It's just for one pass, but it can really make a difference.
From there on out it's just a back and forth motion with a little
wrist action so the inside edges of the frame get touched with finish.
I go pretty heavy.
- After priming the first side, we only let it dry for an hour or so
before flipping them to do the front. When doing a full kitchen
there's no delay at all. After everything's primed, we let it sit
overnight before sanding.
- The next day you'll want to get your sanding station really well
equipped. I cut up a bunch of 220 squares for the quarter sheet
sander and for hand sanding, grab a can of putty and a couple
different knives, hook up an airhose with a blower nozzle (VERY
important) and get the whole stack of them set up right where I can
grab them. Since you didn't have any drips or runs, you won't need
any scrapers or pads in the vise....
- First off, I grab a door and check to see what needs puttying. If
it needs it, I make sure to cut away enough finish so it will stay
seated, and then I take pains to not glop it on there. A quick pass
with the putty knife should leave a nice smooth, slightly elevated
surface. Don't mess too much with it or it'll dry out enough to get
grainy and pull away. If it needed puttying, I set it aside at the
end of the line. If not...
- Then I whack both sides with the quarter sheet sander, and quickly
blow it off to remove the swarf. If you don't, it's likely to clump
up and reattach itself to the door. Since you'll be blowing dust all
day (you'll look like a drywaller) you definitely want to wear a good
mask. Better yet, have a dedicated sanding station equipped with dust
collection. We don't have one, so I put away the DustBeeGone and
break out the Dustfoe 88. It just feels like it's providing more
protection.
- Next I pass over the edges. making sure to knock down the little
burr of finish that's frequently there. Don't worry too much about
going through the primer, because the pigmented lacquer will cover it.
- Next up, I hand sand the profiles. I play around with folding the
sandpaper this way and that for a while, and then settle on "the best"
method - and then repeat it for each and every door. It makes it
easier for me to be sure I've hit all of the surface and provides a
level of consistency about which I'm a bit anal.
- Lastly, I blow off the door and then work surface. I give the door
a final runover with my hands to feel for rough spots, and then set it
in the "done" stack. Next door.

I'm sure I've forgotten some things, but that's the gist of it for me.

JP
****************
You'll need a sharp chisel to clean up the miters too.

Would it be possible to put a fan behind you to blow the sanding dust
into the spray booth? I have a fan in the window and another behind
me when spraying and have no overspray problems I'm aware of.


On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 17:22:35 -0400, Jay Pique
wrote:

Since you'll be blowing dust all day (you'll look like a drywaller) you definitely want to wear a good
mask. Better yet, have a dedicated sanding station equipped with dust collection. We don't have one, so I put away the DustBeeGone and break out the Dustfoe 88. It just feels like it's providing more protection.

On Sat, 07 Aug 2004 09:31:55 -0400, "
wrote:

Would it be possible to put a fan behind you to blow the sanding dust
into the spray booth?

Absolutely. We've got a pretty big booth that wouldn't even require
the fan behind you.

JP

I have a fan in the window and another behind
me when spraying and have no overspray problems I'm aware of.



On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 17:22:35 -0400, Jay Pique
wrote:

Since you'll be blowing dust all day (you'll look like a drywaller) you definitely want to wear a good
mask. Better yet, have a dedicated sanding station equipped with dust collection. We don't have one, so I put away the DustBeeGone and break out the Dustfoe 88. It just feels like it's providing more protection.

"Yves" wrote in message ...
Hi,

I need some advice for paintinf mdf doors (Spray).

I used to spray lacquer with sealer over wood.

But If I want some other color on MDF, what product is best.

I don't know what type of product gives the best finish, or on what type of
paint can I put laquer on , or should I use lacquer at all.


Thanks.

I just finished painting 8 raised panel doors (2 panels/door). FWW
just did an article on painting MDF an issue or 2 ago. They
recommended smearing drywall compound on all cut edges and sanding
smooth. After that, apply a shellac or oil based primer. Final coat
can be anything you want, including latex. I must say, I wasn't
excited about the extra step (drywall compound), but it certainly made
a big difference.

Chuck

(WoodChuck34) wrote in message . com...
"Yves" wrote in message ...
Hi,

I need some advice for paintinf mdf doors (Spray).

I used to spray lacquer with sealer over wood.

But If I want some other color on MDF, what product is best.

I don't know what type of product gives the best finish, or on what type of
paint can I put laquer on , or should I use lacquer at all.


Thanks.

I just finished painting 8 raised panel doors (2 panels/door). FWW
just did an article on painting MDF an issue or 2 ago. They
recommended smearing drywall compound on all cut edges and sanding
smooth. After that, apply a shellac or oil based primer. Final coat
can be anything you want, including latex. I must say, I wasn't
excited about the extra step (drywall compound), but it certainly made
a big difference.

Chuck


What do you guys think about using popular for rails and stiles, and
MDF for panels? I like the drywall compound idea for the simpler panel
edges, but not the more intricate rail and stile details.

Thanks, Rich

Excellent choice for painted doors. It ain't never
gonna shrink or expand and it takes paint like
a champ. The cost is also very attractive.

Rich Dell wrote:


What do you guys think about using popular for rails and stiles, and
MDF for panels? I like the drywall compound idea for the simpler panel
edges, but not the more intricate rail and stile details.

Thanks, Rich

On 10 Aug 2004 05:46:37 -0700, (Rich Dell)
wrote:

(WoodChuck34) wrote in message . com...
"Yves" wrote in message ...
Hi,

I need some advice for paintinf mdf doors (Spray).

I used to spray lacquer with sealer over wood.

But If I want some other color on MDF, what product is best.

I don't know what type of product gives the best finish, or on what type of
paint can I put laquer on , or should I use lacquer at all.


Thanks.

I just finished painting 8 raised panel doors (2 panels/door). FWW
just did an article on painting MDF an issue or 2 ago. They
recommended smearing drywall compound on all cut edges and sanding
smooth. After that, apply a shellac or oil based primer. Final coat
can be anything you want, including latex. I must say, I wasn't
excited about the extra step (drywall compound), but it certainly made
a big difference.

Chuck


What do you guys think about using popular for rails and stiles, and
MDF for panels? I like the drywall compound idea for the simpler panel
edges, but not the more intricate rail and stile details.

Thanks, Rich



in the FWW article (I was just looking at that the other day...) they
suggested using the same router bit (handheld) that cut the detail as
a cleanup tool for the drywall mud. you definitely do want to seal the
cut edges of the MDF with something. shellac would probably do fine
for that, though it won't have the same filler abilities.


poplar frames and MDF panels should be fine.

On 9 Aug 2004 18:52:11 -0700, (WoodChuck34)
wrote:

"Yves" wrote in message ...
Hi,

I need some advice for paintinf mdf doors (Spray).

I used to spray lacquer with sealer over wood.

But If I want some other color on MDF, what product is best.

I don't know what type of product gives the best finish, or on what type of
paint can I put laquer on , or should I use lacquer at all.


Thanks.

I just finished painting 8 raised panel doors (2 panels/door). FWW
just did an article on painting MDF an issue or 2 ago. They
recommended smearing drywall compound on all cut edges and sanding
smooth. After that, apply a shellac or oil based primer. Final coat
can be anything you want, including latex. I must say, I wasn't
excited about the extra step (drywall compound), but it certainly made
a big difference.

I'll bet it did. Even sanded to 220 like we do, it still looks pretty
bad IMO. I'm going to suggest it to the man. We'll see....

JP
******************
Meliora.

On 10 Aug 2004 05:46:37 -0700, (Rich Dell)
wrote:

What do you guys think about using popular for rails and stiles, and
MDF for panels?

Poplar is easy to dent. I'd stick with MDF if I wanted cheap, or use
birch or maple for durability.

Barry

"B a r r y" wrote in message
...
On 10 Aug 2004 05:46:37 -0700, (Rich Dell)
wrote:

What do you guys think about using popular for rails and stiles, and
MDF for panels?

I used a "soupy" mix of patching plaster and painted it on the MDF, then
sanded and painted. Poplar worked fine for kitchen cabinet rails/stiles/&
dace frames
Ray

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 00:50:47 GMT, B a r r y
wrote:

On 10 Aug 2004 05:46:37 -0700, (Rich Dell)
wrote:

What do you guys think about using popular for rails and stiles, and
MDF for panels?

Poplar is easy to dent. I'd stick with MDF if I wanted cheap, or use
birch or maple for durability.

Barry



mdf is a terrible choice for rail and stile components. use wood for
that. mdf will be fine for the panels.

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 00:06:29 -0700, wrote:


mdf is a terrible choice for rail and stile components. use wood for
that. mdf will be fine for the panels.

With the proper hardware and assembly, MDF can be fine for rail and
stile. With an all MDF door, the panel can be completely glued into
the grooves, making the whole assembly quite durable. One does need
different screws for the hinges.

MDF would stink for rail and stile, if you attempted to keep the panel
floating.

Several years ago, I made some rail and stile MDF doors for a nursery
school, they're still holding up great.

Barry

(Rich Dell) wrote in message

What do you guys think about using popular for rails and stiles, and
MDF for panels? I like the drywall compound idea for the simpler panel
edges, but not the more intricate rail and stile details.

Thanks, Rich


Rich,

I actually did those 8 panel doors in a basement playroom I'm
finishing. Its been my own personal labratory. I did 6 of those 8
panel doors using MDF for the rails and stiles. I was curious to see
how it would work and the lack of warping issues was also attractive.
They want together fine and I did glue the panels into the
rails/stiles, but the back edge of the groove on the rails/stiles is
very weak. The weakness isn't an issue after gluing the panels in,
but if the rails/stile don't fit together just so, the back edge of
that groove will just pop off.

I read the FWW article in between doors 6 and 7, so I did switch to
poplar. Worked fine.

I actually had the doors with the MDF rails/stiles finished but not
painted before reading the article, so I did go back and use the
drywall compound after the fact. Because of that, I was unable to
scrap the excess compound off with router bits. I just rough sanded
them with drywall compound sand paper (the stuff that looks like
screening) and then finish sanded with 220 grit. The thing about
drywall compound is that its easy to sand.

Chuck

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 11:22:14 GMT, B a r r y
wrote:

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 00:06:29 -0700, wrote:


mdf is a terrible choice for rail and stile components. use wood for
that. mdf will be fine for the panels.

With the proper hardware and assembly, MDF can be fine for rail and
stile. With an all MDF door, the panel can be completely glued into
the grooves, making the whole assembly quite durable. One does need
different screws for the hinges.

MDF would stink for rail and stile, if you attempted to keep the panel
floating.

Several years ago, I made some rail and stile MDF doors for a nursery
school, they're still holding up great.

Barry



if you're gonna do that why not just mill it from a sheet?

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 14:57:01 -0700, wrote:


if you're gonna do that why not just mill it from a sheet?


Good idea, Bridge - can I come over and borrow your CNC this weekend?



Regards,
Tom.

Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.)
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email)
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 14:57:01 -0700, wrote:


if you're gonna do that why not just mill it from a sheet?

Milled sheets have rounded corners in the "panel", like the
"Thermofoil" doors sold in BORGs.

Rail & stile glued to a panel, can look just like a "real" door.
Since the panel dosen't need to float, the whole assembly actually
ends up quite strong. This is important if trying to match an
existing style, and they look more like higher end doors at trailer
park prices. G

If I'm painting doors, I prefer maple or birch, but some folks have
really tight budgets. G

Barry

On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 00:40:26 GMT, B a r r y
wrote:


Milled sheets have rounded corners in the "panel", like the
"Thermofoil" doors sold in BORGs.


Ain't necessarily so. See below (there are many others).

The square cornered versions cost a little more.



http://www.maplecraftusa.com/HTML/cabinet-paint.html




Regards,
Tom.

Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.)
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email)
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 20:48:56 -0400, Tom Watson
wrote:

On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 00:40:26 GMT, B a r r y
wrote:


Milled sheets have rounded corners in the "panel", like the
"Thermofoil" doors sold in BORGs.


Ain't necessarily so. See below (there are many others).

Clarify that to "the ones I can make". G

Barry

Tom Watson wrote in message . ..
On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 14:57:01 -0700, wrote:


if you're gonna do that why not just mill it from a sheet?


Good idea, Bridge - can I come over and borrow your CNC this weekend?


I haven't tried them, but Whiteside makes MDF door bits to do this kind of job.

See:

http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/catalog/MDFDoors.pdf

I was tempted, but decided not to spend the money.

Chuck

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 18:08:38 -0400, Tom Watson
wrote:

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 14:57:01 -0700, wrote:


if you're gonna do that why not just mill it from a sheet?


Good idea, Bridge - can I come over and borrow your CNC this weekend?



think you can get installed by then?

On 12 Aug 2004 07:31:21 -0700, (WoodChuck34)
wrote:


I haven't tried them, but Whiteside makes MDF door bits to do this kind of job.

Those are the type that leave rounded inside corners. Other brands
make them as well. I don't think they look all that hot.

Barry