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Asked by: Vianney Boladeras
hobbies and interests woodworkingShould you seal MDF before painting?
Seal MDF to Prevent Swelling and Distortion
To prevent frustration when finishing displays or items built from MDF you should seal the edges and the wood surfaces before applying acrylic (water based) paint coatings.
Similarly, do you need to seal MDF before painting?
The cut edges of MDF are especially porous, so you need to pay particular attention to sealing these areas. You should always apply two to three coats of primer before you attempt to paint MDF. In between coats of primer, it is a good idea to lightly sand the surface.
In this manner, can you paint straight onto MDF?
You need to prime the MDF - it is so absorbent that if you paint with emulsion straight onto it all of the moisture will be sucked out of the paint and you will be left with a film of dry emulsion that will not stick to the MDF properly.
Painting MDF – Key Points
- Seal the edges of the board with extra layers of primer or optionally with putty.
- Paint the back of the board to prevent moisture ingress.
- Acrylic paints are the best primers and undercoats; Blackfriars is a great option.