Spray finishing MDF edges - How I do it

Richard Findley

Hi all,

Let me start by explaining that I am relatively new to spraying and have learned through a combination of trial and error and hints and tips picked up from people in the know and of course the forum!!!

Here's what I do (and the products I use)

Cut MDF to size and run a hand plane over to remove machine marks. Rout mould (or in this case chamfer):

Hand sand with 240grit - Carefully!!

A coat of Morrells White Primer 8005/641 (Waterbourne)

This appears quite rough still but a light hand sand with 400grit removes all fluffy bits and leaves a smooth finish:

2 coats of Morrells 362 "Severe Use" Waterbourne Lacquer gloss white. I've found that there is no need to rub down in-between coats. In this case I also finished with a coat of clear 90% gloss as there was another detail on the surface that needed a coat to even the gloss all over:

I hope you have enjoyed reading this and that it is of some help to someone out there.

Cheers,

Richard
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JonnyD · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:43 pm Post subject:

Hi Richard looks like you have got a good finish there pretty much how i do it.

I was just wondering how you got on with the morrells waterbased top coat. I usually use morrells Acid Cat lacquers but have been meaning to give the waterbased stuff a go and do my bit for the environment. I have tried the waterbased primer and was impressed by that.

Jon

Richard Findley · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

Hi Jon,

I've been very impressed by the waterbourne finishes. I don't have a spray booth so fumes are a bit of an issue for me. These finishes are touch dry in 1 hour and recoatable after 2 which is really the only down side compared to chemical finishes. They reckon that these waterbourne lacquers are pretty much as hard wearing as the chemical ones. The clean up is a lot easier with waterbourne. Just run under the tap and spray water through!! I love 'em!!

Cheers,

Richard
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Paul Chapman · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:06 pm Post subject:

Looks good, Richard. What sort of MDF was that - ordinary or MR?

Cheers Wink

Paul

JonnyD · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject:

Cheers Richard

I will give the waterbased a try. I am making myself some wardrobe doors so I will try it out on these before using it on any paid work.

Jon

cornucopia · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject:

looks like you have achieved an excellent finish richard-well done Smile

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BradNaylor · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject:

That looks like bog standard fluffy MDF, Richard.

You will find that the edges of MR MDF finish a lot more easily. Well worth the small extra cost.

I too use Morrells AC finishes. I might give the waterbourne ones another try.

Cheers
Dan

Richard Findley · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:35 am Post subject:

Hi guys,

Thanks for your comments. Yes, this is bog standard MDF. I've heard a number of times on here that MR MDF is far better so I may well try it next time.

Cheers,

Richard
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imaginarynumber · Forum Newbie Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 10

Hi Richard-

Re the waterbourne- are you using a compressor or turbine??? Do you get grain swell with the water based primers?

I too have only ever used the acid cat

Cheers

Richard Findley · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 7:46 am Post subject:

Hi imaginarynumber,

I used to use a little Apollo "Spray master" HVLP system which was ok but when I started having troubles with the gun I bit the bullet and bought a compressor and proper spray gun.

I now wonder how I ever managed without my compressor and the finish with this gun is much improvroved as the gun is so adjustable you can tweek it to suit your needs.

The waterbourn is a great finish and it doesn't seem to raise the grain significantly. I had some slatwal panels made for me a while ago and they used some cheapo rubbish MDF which I have struggled to get the sort of finish I would like on but as you can see from the pictures adove, normal (good quality) MDF finishes well, as does timber.

HTH

Richard
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Woodturning by Richard findley at www.turnersworkshop.co.uk
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imaginarynumber · Forum Newbie Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 10

Thanks Richard

Not sure that I have enough space for a decent compressor so i guess that I will have to stick with my Fuji HVLP.

I generally stick with acid cat as the gun is happy with it.

Although you say that the grain raising isn't too bad should I take that too mean that it is noticably more than acid cat primer???

When hand painting with acrylic primer I expect to spend as long sanding as I did applying the paint; generally back to the point where you see the parallel machining lines.

In your case are you sanding to denib or to flatten raise bits of grain.

Cheers

yo_chuci · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject:

what type of spray gun did you buy and from where...

is it hvlp?
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Richard Findley · Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject:

white_sw · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:17 am Post subject:

From you pictures, it looks like to have a fantactic finish there. I've heard lot's of good stuff about these Morrells finishing products.
Does anyone know where I can buy some in Bristol ? I wouldn't be using large amounts as it just for hobby use. I have my own
spray setup, however, have only sprayed cellulose paints on car's before.

Cheers,
Sam

dellpitch · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject: Spray finishes

Hi
Morrells have a Bristol depot, it is at Avonmouth, on the road to
Severn Beach, Tel 0845 4509070.

hope this helps
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