Treating MDF

mark · 2013-02-12T08:51:17+00:00

I'm about to start a project which basically involves building lots of MDF boxes then stacking them in a brick-like fashion to make a wall-to-wall boo kshelf. The boxes will be constructed out of 18mm MDF, and be either 280x350x400mm or 180x250x400mm in size. (I'll use 2mm MDF for backs.) I haven't decided yet whether to use veneered MDF. If I don't then I need t o treat the whole lot (probably a satin varnish, although I may paint them as MDF is quite boring), but if I use veneered then I only need to treat th e cut edges, none of which will be visible once complete (assuming I use a veneer edging strip on the visible edges). I can't get 2mm veneer for the b acks so I'll paint those to roughly match whichever veneer I choose. What's the best way to treat the "invisible" edges? I'm thinking both in te rms of the product and the method - I obviously don't want the product comi ng over the edges onto the veneer, and my DIY skills are "basic". I conside red stacking all the parts together and treating all the edges in one go bu t I wasn't sure if I'd end up sticking them together or leaving a rough edg e when they were separated. A couple of people have suggested diluted PVA to seal the edges, which woul d certainly be cheap but would it work? (The shelves will be going into a b edroom so I don't expect them to be damp.) In total I'll have around 60 boxes to build so anything complicated is out, I don't have the patience!

Treating MDF

Feb 12, 2013 25 Replies

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stuart noble 13 years ago

The birch ply *faces* look great, the edges....er....not great at all.

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Mark Rogers 13 years ago

I actually don't mind them (it has more "character" than MDF anyway). But adding an edging isn't too big a deal if I decide it bothers me.

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Andy Champ 13 years ago

look at the ply as being the "mortar" between the brick-shaped "holes" - I need to try and mock this up

25mm ply _would_ carry car engines. The bottom of my boat is 12mm, and feels solid as rock (though it does have interesting curves), but that's mostly to get the weight up to the class limit. Most are 6mm, and people run about on them.

Unlike chipboard it doesn't creep with age. (Don't know whether or not MDF does)

Andy

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Ian Jackson 13 years ago

In message , Chris Holford writes

Wood hardener should seal the edges MDF.

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stuart noble 13 years ago

Use railway sleepers and be done with it

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Mark Rogers 13 years ago

:-)

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