How to Paint MDF - Video #1

A complete walk through of all the steps you need to take in order to obtain a really good paint finish on MDF.

There are two ways you can paint MDF:

OPTION 1 - the complete process
- Apply an MDF Primer
- Sand lightly
- Vacuum the dust up and wipe down with a rag dipped in white spirit, to degrease the surface
- Apply a very thin layer of wood filler to the edges, and sand down
- Apply an Undercoat
- Appy a Top Coat

Whilst the best approach to ensure a really decent finish, this is going to take a very long time - something most of us don't have, so I have always taken a slightly simpler approach to painting MDF:

OPTION 2 - the way I PAINT MDF!
- Apply a quick dry wood primer undercoat
- Sand the edges to smooth out the end grain
- Apply a second coat to the edges (not essential)
- Apply two coats of Satin/ Gloss, again, lightly sanding the edges between each coat

In Today's Toolkit:
- Sand paper (120 grade or finer) and sanding/ wood block

- Mini roller with mohair roller sleeve (you can use a larger roller if you're painting larger areas
- Paint brush for painting in hard to reach areas, and the edges
- Johnstone's water based Satin top coat - purchased from my local Johnstone's Decorators Centre

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LET'S CONNECT!
Charlie DIYte

[allandavies]

Good clear illustrated video....focused on what one needs to see with perfect talk over. One of the best . Thank you for sharing!!

[jdnmsca]

I did not use an MDF primer but did need 2 coats of undercoat and 2 coats of satin (both water based). Turned out really well. Thanks for the video which was really helpful.

[ricbarker]

Good tip with the respirator. I became allergic to woodwork dust, especially MDF after years of woodworking as a hobby.

[Berre]

You are right about not using an MDF primer. I have painted a lot of MDF with a high quality fast drying wood primer. Never had any blistering or swelling on the edges. I apply at least two coats of primer, sand, then third coat of primer. Sand. Then top coat, usually two. I even have done a high gloss piano finish on MDF, looks stunning.

[xxnickthegreekxx]

After a good acrylic primer if going white I use dulux trade vinyl Matt let cure then finish sand back then hit with oil based speeds things up a bit 👍🏼

[anonymike]

Just a tip. Working on the top of a computer desk which got a little water damage which went through the laiminate. Wood stain seemed to work very well to stabilize the bare areas of the MDF and make them less able to absorb moisture, I imagine certain wood treatment products would work just as weil but stain costs about the same and everyone knows what it is.


Makes a good base to put primer on. It really doesn't have that much color anyway.

[CMB_Vinyl]

Wish I'd watched this before doing a job I've just finished in my kitchen sorting some boxing in that had been done badly with MDF. I didn't realise I could have used a roller, I did it all with a brush! Good tip for next time though, I'm going through lots of your videos & getting some good tips, keep them coming, many thanks!

[meganr]

I'm getting ready to paint some cabinets and was getting a bit baffled by all the conflicting advice out there about various products to use. This is super-clear, I can go paint shopping with confidence now - thank you!

[gertvanjoe]

Kudos on hammering in the safety aspect. A lot of Youtubers these days are like, mehh, it's just one drop of dimethyl-mercury, what could it possibly do ?
Top tip, some automotive body putty works wonders on that endgrain

[freebornjohn]

For the porous edges of MDF I always prime with some slightly watered down PVA wood glue. Once dry, sand smooth then apply acrylic primer undercoat. Always gets a great finish.

[robbrown]

Careful not to sand too much in between coats. Your first coat will raise the grain of those fibers in the MDF. So your natural inclination is to sand those completely smooth. If you do that, the grain will raise again after the application of your second coat of sealer or paint.

[ashleygainard]

I've used Albany trade acrylic primer undercoat X 2 coats. 240 grit sand between coats, 2 top coats of 161* french grey pale intelligent eggshell by little greene. Looks a treat

[MrCorfuz]

You can use any primer, however if you start with an oil based primer you should continue with oil based paint. If you start with water based you can continue with whatever you want. Oil based primer will swell fibers slightly less than water based.

[jonwells]

Hi Charlie, love the videos and think its great you touched on the point about a mask when working with MDF. Think its important to highlight that for MDF you require a P3 mask, not a P2 as you've linked. If you're cutting it with power tools, then a mask able to filter out the formaldehyde given off due to the heat is best

[КонстантинРозум-не]

Thank you, video was helpful . I would only hide screws and 2 boards joint before painting . U can easily do it with wood plaster or pva glue plus mdf dust after sanding . And for front doors edges I personally need a better quality like on the top .

[matthewronson]

Preparation is key paining any substrate, if you want the best outcome. If fact, painting is relatively easy, most of the work is in the prep and set-up.

[marysimms]

Thankyou Charlie your video was very useful.

[bumblebee]

Did you obtain a smooth finish with the roller or was it orange peel?

[andrzejkordys]

love your videos. usefull for me so much. greetings from Ireland

[lordbutler]

How long do you leave the primer before painting the top coat on? Mines quick drying so would a few hours be ok as I noticed you waited 24hrs