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Choice of paint for furniture, doors and MDF panels. MDF is everywhere we have a road How to paint paper-coated wall panels

Can MDF panels or facades be painted? Such a process is possible. But it requires compliance with certain conditions, consisting of the choice of materials, preparatory work, milestones and finishing touches. Painting MDF panels is a task that everyone can do. The only thing that is important to consider is that not all paints are suitable for this purpose, and those that are suitable are not cheap.

MDF painting is carried out most often for two reasons:

the need to protect the material from negative environmental factors;
decorative purpose - I want to change the color of the MDF board or improve its appearance.

Regardless of the reason for painting, it has a number of advantages:

The painted element becomes resistant to high temperatures. This means that when using an MDF panel in the kitchen, hot dishes can be placed on it.
The presence of special additives in the paint allows you to get facades original design: mother-of-pearl, pearls, metallic.
As a rule, paints intended for MDF do not contain harmful chemical substances. This is a big plus, especially if the coloring of the material is planned to be done at home.
And, finally, painting products can significantly extend their service life.

Of course, staining MDF is not without drawbacks, of which the following can be distinguished:

high price, in comparison with the film coating;
the possibility of color fading under direct sunlight.

What materials to use?

Since MDF is a material that consists of wood fibers, it can be painted and ordinary paints on wood. However, to get a really high-quality result and uniform coloring, you will need special formulations, including:

primer based on polyurethane;
paint (also polyurethane);
varnish for MDF (if necessary).

Polyurethane enamel does not contain volatile components, it can be used for both indoor and outdoor use.

Coloring technology

The process of painting MDF with colored polyurethane enamels includes several stages:

grinding;
primer;
directly painting;
drying.

grinding

For good adhesion of the paintwork, it is necessary to sand the workpieces, be it facades or Wall panels. For this it is used:

dry sandpaper;
scotch brite - a soft abrasive of fine grain;
ground grinders.

If the product is small, then sandpaper on a foam basis of gradation P220-P280 is used.
For flat surfaces, 700 series sanding mats with fine grit are used. The same materials will help remove excess soil, fill the risks before painting.

The surface on which the paint will be applied is cleaned. After cleaning, the surface must be degreased with anti-silicone.

putty

MDF for painting is carefully prepared, here you can’t get off with just grinding. If there are visible flaws (cracks, dents), then the surface in these areas must be puttied, thereby leveling the surface.

Acrylic putty for wood is best suited for puttying, it should be applied and smoothed with a special rubber spatula.

Primer

For flat products, it is better to use the universal white polyurethane primer LBR30. The content of a large amount of resin in it gives a minimal tendency to shrink. Suitable for matte and glossy finishes. For the latter, where every defect is visible on the surface, the requirements for preparation are an order of magnitude higher. Best result gives the use of polyester primers.

Before painting the panels, they must be carefully prepared. Initially make a working mixture. For this you need to take:

primer LBR 30 - 100 parts by weight;
hardener LNB 77 - 40 parts by weight;
thinner LZC 1051 - 10 parts by weight.

All these components must be mixed with each other and apply the first layer of primer to the surface to be painted using a gun with an upper tank. Nozzle diameter 1.8 mm, air pressure 2-3 atmospheres. The material consumption should be 120 g per 1 m2. The optimum thickness of the resulting film is 120 microns. To complete the shrinkage process, the soil should be dried for 12 hours.

Before painting the product, it will need to be treated with an abrasive again. For gloss, an emery tool with a finer grit is additionally used. After that, the surface will be prepared, and you can apply paint for MDF panels.

On the video: priming and sanding MDF.

Painting

You can paint wall panels with a brush, roller or spray gun. The temperature in the room should be about +20°С, air humidity - within 50-80%. Can be painted with matte or glossy enamel. But first you need to prepare the working compositions. For matte enamel take:

100 weight parts of enamel;
50 parts by weight of hardener;
30 parts by weight of diluent.

For glossy enamel, 70 parts of hardener are taken. The rest of the ingredients are the same. For gloss, always use a slow thinner that will give good flow.

MDF panels should be painted in a relatively spacious room if these are internal structures (for example, facades or wall elements). The house from the outside should be finished in warm time of the year. Enamel consumption should be approximately 150g/m2. Medium Density Fibreboard or MDF dries completely in 24 hours.

To obtain gloss, polishing should be done after 3 days. By this time, all polymerization processes will be completed. With the help of special additives on the surface of the product, you can create the effects of mother-of-pearl, metallic, get corrugated waves.

Wet

MDF panels can be painted with alkyd or polyurethane enamel, as well as powder mixtures. Wet technology involves the use of an atomizer with the appropriate pressure. If the paint is applied in two layers, intermediate sanding is necessary. The thickness of the layers is no more than 120 microns.

Painting surfaces must be free from small debris, dust, insects. In case of their contact, they should be eliminated in a timely manner using a tool such as tweezers. After drying, smudges formed on the painted surface are removed with a clerical knife or fine-grained sandpaper.

Powder

Is it possible to paint MDF in a different way? Yes, there are special powder mixtures, which are applied to the work surface with a sprayer. After that, the product is subjected to high temperatures until the paint is completely melted. This method provides for obtaining an almost perfectly smooth surface.

Powder coating technology involves spraying dry microscopic particles onto the surface.

Drying

You can paint MDF panels in any way. Drying completes any technological process of finishing. It is carried out subject to certain conditions:

ambient air temperature not more than 50°C;
relative humidity less than 80%.

The duration of the final stage depends on environmental conditions. It can be from 5 hours to a day. A painted MDF board will dry faster at lower temperatures and humidity.

Regardless of how you can paint the wall panels, compliance with the steps, conditions technological process allows you to get a rich color, flat surface saves time and costs. It is better to automate all the work, using special paint and varnish equipment for this.

MDF panels are a building material designed for finishing rooms, facade cladding of cabinet furniture or walls, it is made from wood chips of low or medium thickness. These parts are considered an environmentally friendly element of decoration, since they are not made using synthetic adhesives, but natural wood resin is used, which securely fixes all layers of the product and forms a single whole. MDF panels are of medium and low density, depending on the number of layers and the composition of the wood. Over time, during the operation of these parts, their surface may get scratched, the coating loses its gloss or has defects, as a result, the integrity of the entire panel is violated, and the appearance of the entire finish becomes unsightly. Any owner in this case is faced with the question: how to update the facade of the panel without changing them completely?

This article discusses the question of the possibility of painting products such as MDF wall panels, is it possible to paint MDF, as well as the process of carrying out such work at home.

Reasons for the formation of defects

There are a number of reasons why MDF panels may need to be painted, including:

Mechanical damage to the surface as a result of impact with a sharp object or other material. The top layer of the MDF panel consists of laminated or plain paper with paint applied to it, when exposed to a solid object, the film breaks, which exposes the core of the entire product;
Burnout of paint, loss of color brightness. This deformation is obtained from exposure to ultraviolet rays and atmospheric air, which contains a small amount of moisture. Over time, the coating becomes dull, loses its luster and original appearance;
Temperature fluctuations also negatively affect the external state of the surface of MDF panels, since the internal structure consists of wood, which absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and at the same time swells over the entire area. As the temperature rises, the MDF dries out and at the same time can crack, in addition, the glue contained in the panel loses its ability from moisture, which leads to peeling of paper, lamination and chips.

These causes of deformations lead to an unsightly appearance of the entire surface and violate the overall design of the wall. If these defects occur, you can paint the MDF panels, having previously done a number of preparatory procedures, but it should be understood that painting parts with your own hands at home brings a result that differs from paint processing in production.

The process of painting MDF panels

Before answering the question of how to paint MDF panels, you need to understand the composition of this product. MDF board, wall or facade, consists of several layers of compressed paper and sawdust, laminated with a transparent or colored film on the front side. Most often, it is the top layer that is subject to damage and wear, therefore, when planning to update MDF, it is necessary to prepare these types of coatings.

In order to prepare MDF panels for painting at home, you will need:

Sandpaper for surface preparation and removal of gloss or varnish;
Solvent for degreasing the surface from adhesive and liquid residues;
Dry rags or other lint-free cloth.

These materials are necessary for pre-treatment of MDF panels for painting and sealing cracks and scratches on the laminate.

All work must be carried out in accordance with the algorithm of actions. The first step is to sand the panel with fine sanding paper, this can be done manually or using a pneumatic tool. It is important to follow the technology of removing varnish, to prevent overheating of the surface or the formation of large scratches on the laminate. The wood-fiber surface is under a decorative film, so when sanding, you need to carefully monitor the thickness of the top layer so as not to erase it through and through. After this procedure, the coating will cease to shine and become rough, slightly cocky.

Next, you need to clean all the cracks and chips from dirt and dust, as well as clean their edges. All irregularities, if necessary, are rubbed with a special putty, which forms a single whole with the base of the panel, it also needs to be leveled with sandpaper.

After the surface has been treated and leveled, it must be wiped with a dry cloth and degreased with a chemical solvent that will displace and evaporate all water, wash away dust and dirt.

At the next stage, the top coat is primed with a special paint, it has a grainy texture and can be applied using compressed air or a simple brush. It can cover the surface in several layers, with intermediate grinding, until the required smoothness is achieved.

Next, the main paint is prepared, tinted and thoroughly mixed so that all the elements mix together. You can paint MDF panels manually or with a special pneumatic gun, but this will require a compressor unit and a moisture-water separator. The composition is applied with smooth movements in two layers: the first - across the main direction, the second - along the entire length of the part. Thus, the formation of smudges and influxes of paint is prevented.

The final step will be the processing of the upper paper-wood layer of the panel with a transparent varnish. This procedure is not necessary, but after it is carried out, the surface of the MDF product becomes glossy, its top layer seems to be updated, and the appearance of the entire structure is restored.

For your information. It is important to observe the drying intervals of the elements between the layers of primer, paint and varnish, otherwise they will curl and crack, and you will have to carry out all the work again.

How to paint and update MDF panels

For MDF panels, you can use alkyd or acrylic enamel, but when choosing a paint, you should take into account the type of primer, the operating conditions of the panels, as well as the composition of the top layer. If it is laminated paper with a synthetic, slightly absorbent film, then it would be advisable to use acrylic or water-dispersion enamel. These materials are environmentally friendly and are perfect for interior painting indoors, while the surface of the panel will be updated, as well as additionally protected from the moisture of an aggressive external environment.

Thus, subject to the entire coloring technology, the question of whether it is possible to paint MDF panels becomes completely solvable at home.

Furniture facades, doors and other MDF products can be painted. But when working, inexperienced craftsmen face various difficulties, including the difficulty in obtaining a smooth surface without streaks, strong absorption of the material, and others. We will reveal the features of the choice of paints for MDF boards.

Can MDF be painted?

facades, furniture boards, panels, door cladding and other MDF products are in great demand due to their characteristics. This is the only material among analogues that can be processed in all possible ways: milling, figured sawing, laminating, laminating, coloring. Let's take a closer look at the latter.

Painting MDF is a complex process and it begins with the choice of the main material - paintwork. If you want to get a perfectly flat surface with a semi-matte or glossy sheen, then a simple PF-115 oil paint, even from an expensive foreign manufacturer, is not enough. An inexperienced master will face several problems at once:

It turns out that it is impossible to paint MDF? Our answer is that it is possible, but it is necessary to use a whole range of products, or, in the language of professionals, to use a special program of paints and varnishes, which include:

Priming compositions of several types: barrier primers or insulators with a pore-filling effect, elastic and easily sanded multicomponent compounds, basic pigmented compositions with a dry residue index of at least 50%.
Paint with high rates hiding power, thixotropy, and after polymerization - wear resistance and durability.
To create a smooth surface with a glossy/semi-gloss finish: lacquer or polishing kits (paste + nap disc for polishing).

What paints are suitable for MDF

The easiest way to paint laminated boards. This is the surface of finished facades of furniture and doors, wall and ceiling panels. The film acts as a primer and leveling layer. The following types of coatings are suitable:

Alkyd, alkyd-urethane or oil-based enamels (Novbytkhim, Dyo, Tikkurilla)

Tikkurila alkyd enamels

These are household formulations based on synthetic oils or polymer resins. They belong to the category of universal, that is, they can be used for indoor and outdoor use, they have good adhesion to most materials: metal, wood, glass, chipboard, MDF, OSB, etc.

After curing, a dense and durable film is formed, the advantages of which are high hiding power, resistance to mechanical and chemical influences, abrasives, and water.

Of the minuses, we note a sharp chemical smell that negatively affects human health, as well as a huge amount of low-quality products on store shelves and markets.

Enamels based on polyurethane resins (Elacor, Ive, Teknos)

One- and two-component complex compositions with an increased degree of wear resistance and incredible durability - more than 20 years. These are premium class products with a corresponding price (from 400 rubles/kg). Most often these paints are used by professional painters.

Acrylic enamels (KrasKo, Tex, Belinka)

Compositions based on water-borne acrylate or latex copolymers are considered the safest and are recommended for use in residential and children's areas. It is easiest to paint facades, doors and panels with compositions produced in the form of aerosols. The resulting coating is weakly resistant to abrasives and mechanical damage, while perfectly protecting the surface from water and temperature extremes.

Special enamels for furniture or nitro-paints of the NC series (Lacra, Sadolin, Alpina)

This category includes a series of highly specialized compounds designed for woodworking, chipboard and MDF. They are characterized by high hiding power, excellent adhesion, short drying time and long service life. It is recommended only for indoor use, as the film has a low frost resistance coefficient.

MDF panels used for the production of furniture facades, door and wall cladding are more difficult to paint due to the high absorbency of the material and the need for sanding. In addition, when working with a brush, roller or spray gun, the pile rises strongly, due to which the surface is uneven, rough.

And if for priming you can choose highly specialized pore-filling elastic compounds that dry quickly and are easy to sand, then the following varieties are suitable as paints:

Household acrylic formulations produced in the form of aerosols

They give a fairly smooth glossy surface, but at least 4 layers are required. On milled bevels of doors and sharp corners of furniture, the paint will wear off quickly, so it is recommended to apply a wear-resistant alkyd or PU varnish over the coating.

Professional two-component polyurethane enamels (Milesi, Ilva, Renner)

They consist of a base composition and a hardener. They can be tinted manually or by machine in more than 2000 shades. It is used mainly in production, less often - at home.

Since the components are toxic to humans, it is recommended to paint furniture and facades outdoors using products personal protection(goggles, mask, gloves).

Specialized enamels for MDF (Palina Coating, Galamix)

These are complex compositions based on polyurethane or urethane-acrylic. Applied to the surface of furniture or doors with a sprayer or brush, the resulting coating has excellent resistance to mechanical, chemical and abrasive influences, practically does not fade over time.

Automotive enamels (Duxone, Jet, Colomics)

These compositions are highly specialized and are designed to work on metal. Paints have undeniable advantages: excellent adhesion to any materials, thixotropy, abrasion, water and chemical resistance, fast polymerization. In addition, the resulting coating withstands temperatures from -40 °C to +100 °C. Auto enamels can be used to paint facades and other elements of furniture, doors. Finished wall panels can be painted without prior preparation.

Polymer powder paint for wood and MDF (Reka, Pulver)

The composition was originally produced for the industrial painting of metal and wood products, but in the last few years, small volume packages for domestic use have appeared on the market. In addition to the polymer compound, you will also need special equipment for its application.

Powder paint first melts at temperatures above 120 ° C, and then sticks to the base. For MDF facades, a series of low-temperature or ultraviolet curing compositions is available. Heating is carried out for several minutes, then the coating is applied to a horizontally located material and polymerized.

Powder paint allows you to get a wear-resistant surface with various decorative effects: patina, shagreen, textured metallic, leather, silk and much more. The technology was not widely used in everyday life due to the complexity of the application and the high cost of materials.

The purpose of painting is to get a beautiful surface that will not be afraid of water, scratches or stains. If you need to paint wall panels, an acrylic spray is best. Furniture facades kitchen set and doors must be resistant to temperature extremes and various chemically aggressive substances (household chemicals, products), so polyurethane, automotive wear-resistant compounds or powder polymer paint are better suited for them. But the furniture for the living room, nursery or bedroom can be covered with furniture enamels that do not wear out over time and are easily updated if necessary.

The abbreviation MDF in the last two decades has firmly entered our everyday life, as this type of fiberboard is used in the furniture industry, and for the manufacture of doors, and as a wall material. This is a great alternative to natural wood, the price of which remains high.

Your attention will be presented useful information about this material: how it is produced, where it is used, how MDF panels can be painted, and much more. A great addition to our story will be the video in this article on the topic: "Painted MDF facades."

Features of MDF

Most of those who plan to build country house, make repairs or make built-in furniture on your own, the question is: “What is the difference between MDF and chipboard?”. In appearance, they are very similar, but the production technologies are different and, accordingly, the performance is also different.

For comparison, you are offered a small instruction:

Differences	Chipboard	MDF
Raw materials for production	Large shavings of low-value wood	Fine sawdust is waste from the woodworking industry, as well as wood intended for felling.
Technology difference	Pressing under hot steam. In production, formaldehyde is used - a very toxic substance.	Pressing under high pressure and temperature. Paraffin and woody humus, which is called lingin, are used as a binder. So, MDF is an environmentally friendly material.
Application	Only in dry rooms. As a rule, these are floors, partitions, built-in furniture. It is not recommended to use in bedrooms and children's rooms.	Can be used in rooms with humidity levels up to 80%. Since MDF does not contain toxic substances, it can be used for interior decoration for any purpose.

Since MDF has a denser structure and is able to withstand higher levels of humidity, it practically does not deform over time. That is why in the production of cabinet and upholstered furniture factories use only MDF today. Painting technology MDF facades and chipboard is similar, and we will talk about it in a separate chapter.

Note! In this case, we are talking about furniture and built-in interior facades. Neither material is used to finish the exterior walls! Facades of houses are sheathed OSB boards which are completely impervious to moisture. They obtain such properties due to the presence of polymer resins in the composition.

Medium-density fiberboards, namely the so-called MDF, are in demand not only in the furniture industry, but also in the production of interior finishing materials. In addition to wall and ceiling panels, these are also molded products: slats, platbands, MDF plinth for painting.

And how great laminate floors look! But what can I say: look at the picture above, and it immediately becomes clear that without this material today, nowhere.

Sizes and face covering

Manufacturers of sheet MDF offer material of various sizes and thicknesses. There are no uniform standards in the world, and each enterprise determines independently which standard sizes to produce. Ultimately, it all depends on the purpose of the sheets and consumer demand.

If you decide to make a wardrobe, then for the back wall you can take whole-pressed sheets with a thickness of only 3 mm, for the sidewalls and furniture facade, 10 mm is already required. To build an interior partition, you need a material with a thickness of 12-16 mm, and, for example, to build a rack - 24 mm.
Here is such a wide range. The dimensions of the sheets also differ, but not so much. On average, the width and length of the sheets is: 1220 * 2440 mm; 1830*2440mm; 2070*2800 mm. As you can see, the dimensions allow, if necessary, to block the walls along the entire height.

As for finishing their surface, the buyer always has a choice: painting MDF with his own hands or using sheets with a ready-made factory coating - and, by the way, it can be not only painted. Decorative cladding of sheet MDF is also carried out by pasting it with PVC film, laminating and veneering.
When using such sheets, for example, for the manufacture of built-in furniture, painting MDF facades is not required at all. If you look closely at the photo above, you can see that even the edges have already been processed, and when using such a sheathing material, it remains only to decorate the cuts.

MDF surface decor can be not only imitation various breeds wood. Wall material stylized as stone, plaster or brickwork, makes it possible to create interesting compositions in the interior, one of which we see in the above example. Sheets for finishing wet rooms, protected by melamine coating.

Some features of wall cladding

Before talking about whether it is possible to paint MDF panels and how to do it: with enamel or water-dispersion compositions, we will briefly talk about the nuances of installation. After all, errors can greatly affect the geometry of the skin or structural element and, accordingly, nullify all your work.

To prevent this from happening, it is very important that the MDF be adapted to the microclimate of the room in which it will be used before installation. It cannot be used immediately after delivery from the store and unloading. In a normal dry room, it should lie down for a day. If you have to sheathe a basement or an unheated attic, it takes at least 48 hours to adapt.

Mounting options

At this time, you can start preparing the surface of the walls, the degree of which depends on the chosen installation option. Wall decoration with sheet MDF can be done in two ways: frame and glue.

In the first case, the material is mounted on the crate. At the same time, special preparation is not required, and if the walls are uneven, the frame elements are installed on direct suspensions.

In order to be able to mount the panels on glue, the walls must be well leveled, sanded, cleaned of dust and primed. If sheet material is used in the installation, it is glued to the base base. Small format panels can also be glued to plasterboard sheathing and even to the surface of wooden battens.

The sawing of sheet and modular material is carried out with a manual or electric cutting tool. In order not to damage the factory decorative coating of the sheets, the following nuances must be taken into account when cutting: when using a hacksaw, saw from the front side, and when using a circular saw - from the inside.

Note! During installation, it is very important to leave a technological gap of 2 cm between the casing and the ceiling. This is especially true for bathrooms and kitchens, where the temperature and humidity of the air changes several times a day. In the absence of a gap, the expanded material will rest against the ceiling and, accordingly, deform. For the same reason, in these rooms, it is better to install on the crate, since it also provides a ventilated space.

Long and classic wall panels, as a rule, do not require any surface modification, including grouting. After sheathing the walls with sheet MDF, the joints are sealed by filling with a special compound, and then closed with plastic moldings.
Sheets with a factory decorative coating can also be mounted with a gap, which looks very interesting. The necessary distance between the ends of the panels is provided by special cruciform plastic inserts. If the lining is made in the usual sheet material, who do not have decorative coating, then its surface must still be prepared.

Since MDF has a high density and a fairly smooth surface, it is not necessary to putty it. It is simply lightly sanded with fine sandpaper and, having cleaned of dust, is treated with a pore-filling primer. But what kind of paint for MDF facades is best suited and how to apply it correctly, we will tell in the next chapter.

What and how to paint MDF

First of all, sheet MDF is a constructive material. Along with drywall, it is used for interior wall cladding of frame-panel houses. But compared to GKL, MDF is more durable and has high thermal insulation properties, so there is every reason to use it.

Is it possible to paint MDF panels so that they are indistinguishable from a plastered surface? Of course! Take a look at the example below and you will see a beautifully painted interior. frame house made in fachwerk style.

In this case, the load-bearing structures of the house are involved in the design, but even if this is not possible, moldings from the same material as the sheathing can be used for decorative wall paneling. The main thing is to invent interesting design, and then you can already think about how to paint MDF.

MDF products for painting

Both for natural wood and for all its derivatives - whether it be chipboard, OSB or MDF, similar types of paints are used. Just before painting MDF doors or the same panels, make sure that the paint is designed for wood or is a universal paintwork. In this case, the label will say: "For all types of surfaces."

The main thing here is not even the type of paint, but the correct primer. It is important that it be made from the same substance as the paint. That is, if polyurethane paint is used for MDF, then the primer must also be polyurethane.

Paint for MDF doors, as well as molding material, which are called "for painting", is selected in accordance with the type of primer already applied at the factory. Most often, it is acrylic paint-primer. white color, replacing not only adhesive impregnation, but also the first layer of paint. So, for finishing painting, you also need to purchase acrylic paint.
But its color can be any, and not necessarily white. In general, doors primed for painting are a budget option. They are chosen mainly because of the lowest cost. In such a situation, the question arises before a person: “How to paint MDF doors so that the coating looks no worse than in the factory version?”.
If you want to get a high-quality surface, you need to forget about brushes and rollers, and use an airbrush. Painting MDF panels, facades homemade furniture and door blocks will turn out in this case the most uniform and accurate.

This is especially true for doors - it is generally better to paint them first, and then install them. Firstly, they won’t get dirty with paint door hinges, accessories and especially glazing. And secondly, when the door is installed, it is much more difficult to paint over its ends, layout, panels.

It is good if white paint is applied on white ground. And if it is a different color, in some places bald spots will still be visible.

With a brush, it is generally difficult to paint even a smooth surface with high quality - what can we say about such a design as a door. On request: "MDF: painting technology" you can watch one or two videos, where this process is explained and shown in an accessible way.

The nuances of painting work

It is much easier, of course, to paint an MDF product that is already prepared at the factory for painting. And if you have to ennoble sheet sheathing that does not have a decorative coating? We have already mentioned that such a surface is polished before painting.

Why is this done if the surface of the MDF is already smooth:

The fact is that during the production process the material is covered with a protective wax layer. This is what needs to be removed, otherwise the front surface will not have any adhesion to either the primer or the paint. Grinding of sheathing material is best done not with sandpaper, but with a machine - but it all depends on the amount of work.

It is very important that this be done with high quality, over the entire plane of the sheet. Otherwise, when painting, it will turn out that in some places the paint does not stick to the base. If you decide with manual router apply a relief on the panels, special attention should be paid to these places when grinding and priming.
In general, before painting MDF facades, they first apply primer to the relief or overhead elements, then prime the edges, and only after that they begin to cover the entire plane of the product. When working with the spray gun, the nozzle should move in parallel rows, with a fifty percent overlap on each other.
First, longitudinal rows are applied, then transverse ones. Coatings are applied in the same manner. If you need to paint the facade of built-in furniture, then this is done on both sides. First, the back side is painted, and after it dries, the front side.

Next, you need to let the product dry completely, then it will have to be sanded again to remove the pile that has risen during the primer. In this case, the most important thing is to correctly calculate the effort and not completely remove the soil layer, having reached the MDF. At the next stage, a covering paint-primer is applied.

For painting furniture facades, polyurethane-based paints are used. They create the most durable surface, and the furniture is subjected to constant mechanical stress. Well, for wall cladding it is best to use paints on water based- especially since they do not have such a toxic smell as polyurethane enamels.

Often a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, or even all the furniture that has served us for more than one year, ceases to meet the changed needs. They become unfashionable, do not match the color of the new tiles or wallpaper, get bored and simply do not please. Of course, you can buy new ones, but not everyone is ready to spend a considerable amount on this. Yes, and old things, albeit not fashionable, familiar and comfortable, pleasant memories are often associated with them.

The best way out is to repaint them in a different color. If successful, familiar things will not only get a second life, but will turn into a real element of the author's design.

MDF boards in different colors

Is it possible to paint MDF furniture at home, how to paint MDF furniture at home, how to repaint MDF furniture with your own hands and what is needed for this - we will tell below.

Enamel universal KUDO in a can

Coloring compositions for MDF are produced taking into account the characteristics of the material - high absorbency. Right choice depends on the type of facade coating made of MDF:

For all types of coatings, water-based acrylic enamel and acrylic car enamel in an aerosol package are suitable.

Acrylic enamels produced by Belinka

Different types of paints for MDF have their advantages and disadvantages. Thus, polyurethane compounds have high adhesion to the surface and, after drying, give a coating resistant to mechanical stress, but require careful handling during application due to the presence of harmful substances. Oils and alkyds take a long time to dry and have a strong smell that lasts for a long time. Water-based acrylic enamels are safe, practically odorless and easy to use, but inferior to those listed above in terms of coating strength.

Automotive enamels are designed for metal surfaces, MDF is also suitable for painting.

Paints and varnishes for MDF are produced by almost all leading manufacturers and are present in the assortment of most building supermarkets. On sale there are glossy, matte and semi-gloss options, differing in the degree of gloss of the finished product. If you cannot find a special paint for MDF, you can use coloring compositions for windows and doors, or for wood.

Necessary materials

Materials and tools for painting MDF furniture

In order to paint MDF furniture at home, you will need:

dye;
primer;
putty;
the solvent corresponding to the chosen paint;
masking tape;
cover film.

Depending on the chosen method of painting, you will need tools:

sandpaper, mesh and sponge with different grain sizes;
brushes, rollers, spray gun;
spatula narrow and wide;
stationery or construction knife;
screwdriwer set;
protective gloves, goggles, respirator;
clean rag.

You will also need patience and a firm intention to work a miracle.

Furniture painting tools

Getting Started

Degreasing of the treated coating

It is necessary to wash the parts to be painted well with a sponge dipped in vodka with the addition of detergent to remove dirt and grease. Remove the facades from the body. Remove all handles, glass and curtains. Repair cracks and chips. Any wood putty is suitable for sealing cracks.

Wood putty is needed if, after grinding, chips form on the surface of the part

Acrylic is preferred, because it is easy to apply, dries quickly and is easy to process. For plastic and acrylic coatings, it is better to use automotive putty. Narrow cracks in front of the putty are cut with the blunt side of the knife. Putty is applied to the places of chips "with a margin", in layers no thicker than 1 mm. Every new layer superimposed after curing the previous one.

Sanding MDF before painting

The elements are carefully polished. Grinding removes excess putty and gives the surface the roughness necessary for better adhesion to the future coating. For grinding, we use sandpaper with a particle size of 150-180.

Sanding the surface of MDF with a surface grinder

The desired shape is given to puttied chips. It is better to use an abrasive mesh, because it clogs less. In hard-to-reach and relief places it is convenient to use an abrasive sponge. Sanded facades are carefully cleaned of dust with a clean brush and vacuum cleaner.

Primer - the main character

wood primer sample

This is not an exaggeration. Properly selected primer not only provides reliable adhesion to the surface to be painted, but also strengthens it, fills in small defects, prevents the pile from rising and reduces absorbency, significantly reducing the consumption of the coloring composition.

We prime the prepared areas of furniture

The most commonly used two-component polyurethane and water-dispersed primer compositions. Water-based primers are not recommended over polyurethane and nitrocellulose primers, and polyester paints are not recommended over them. There are no such restrictions for polyurethane primers. When choosing a primer, it is advisable to consult with a consultant from a hardware store.

Applying a primer to a prepared surface

The primer must be applied in a clean, well-ventilated area in several steps. First, it is necessary to prime the ends and relief details of the elements, and then the entire element.

Applying a primer with a pneumatic spray gun

After the polymerization of the first layer, the product is cleaned from the risen wood fibers and other small defects with an abrasive mesh or sponge with a particle size of 220-240.

Small roughness on the surface of MDF or "wood pile"

The polished surface is thoroughly cleaned of dust and primed for the 2nd time. Re-sanding with 280-300 grit is necessary before applying the top coat.

The most important step is painting.

Painting MDF panels with a spray gun

Spray painting (spray gun) gives the best results, but not everyone House master has at its disposal necessary equipment. You can also use paint in aerosol cans. The spray-applied coating is characterized by high uniformity and perfect appearance. The difficulties of this method include the need for a separate room, which is not a pity to paint at the same time.

Can be applied with a brush or rollers

If there is no such room, it is better to paint with a brush or a roller with a fine pile. When buying brushes and rollers, be sure to check with the seller whether they are suitable for the selected type of coloring composition.

Paint must be applied strictly in one direction, usually in two layers. The second layer is applied only after the previous one has completely dried. It is desirable to place the painted facades horizontally. Work must be carried out at a temperature of at least 15 degrees in a well-ventilated area, but at the same time avoid drafts. Be sure to use a respirator, protective gloves and goggles. Cover with a film that you do not need to paint at all.

Lacquer is used for finishing wood surfaces.

If a speck or an accidental insect has fallen on a freshly painted surface, remove them with the sharp tip of a knife. If, after drying, a defect remains in this place, gently sand it with abrasive paper and tint it with a cotton swab with light tangential movements.

Painted surfaces must be allowed to dry completely before assembly. The time for complete drying is indicated on the packaging of paints and varnishes. No need to strive to repaint everything at once. It's better to do it element by element. Then, preparing for painting and repainting the next element, it will be possible to take into account the nuances and correct the mistakes made when working with the previous one. It is important to perform with the utmost care all technological operations and the manufacturer's requirements for temperature regime and the drying time of primers and paints.

Polishing the painted surface

The process of repainting is quite laborious and painstaking, but the result is worth it. Updated favorite things please not only their own modern look, but also the consciousness that this miracle was created by one's own hands.