I was thinking of painting some MDF boards with emulsion paint. Do they need sealing first? If so what do you recommend.
Alan
Painting MDF
Feb 09, 2005
11 Replies
Emulsion takes to MDF without a primer IME.
Seal it if using gloss, it's like try to paint a sponge otherwise!
Dave
No, they really do not need it.
Ive gort a fair bit and I can't rell it from plaster. Expet its more smooth.
She claims it looks like MDF,but that's only cos she knows its there. :-)
I did this recently for a false wall. Use a 50% PVA / 50% Water mix, one coat, then slap the emulsion straight on.
C
The edges need sealing but not the faces. I used some cheap MDF primer I bought from Wilkinsons.
Markus
I found this, sealed my edges with normal wood primer, then undercoat and gloss. Expect emulsion would be fine on primed edges.
Prime first with a non water-based primer. Otherwise you'll raise fibres on the surface. For rough work this might not matter.
You certainly need to seal the edges, or else it absorbs a huge amount of paint.
I always use an oil-based wood primer - it might not be necessary, but it works fine.
Thanks for all your replies. I'm insulating the walls of my garage/workshop and I thought I would cover the insulation with MDF boards. Judging by most of the replies I will just emulsion them.
Alan
Make sure that the bottom edges are sealed if there's any chance that they'll be exposed to damp.
Yepo.I used a water based matt white acrylic primer. after rubbing down, was a fine surface for emulsion.
Not as much as you might think. A rub down and a second coat fixes all.
*shrug* thats another way to prime it..Join the Discussion
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