MDF panels are construction material, intended for finishing premises, cladding facades of cabinet furniture or walls, it is made from wood shavings low or medium thickness. These parts are considered an environmentally friendly finishing element, since synthetic materials are not used in their production. adhesive compositions, and natural wood resin is used, which reliably fixes all layers of the product and forms a single whole. MDF panels have medium and low density, depending on the number of layers and composition of the wood. Over time, during the operation of these parts, their surface may become scratched, the coating loses its gloss or has defects, as a result, the integrity of the entire panel is compromised, and appearance the entire finish becomes unsightly. Any owner in this case is faced with the question: how to update the facade of the panels without completely changing them?
This article discusses the possibility of painting such products as Wall panels MDF, 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 painting MDF panels may be necessary, 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 hard object, the film breaks, which exposes the core of the entire product;
- Paint fading, loss of color brightness. This deformation results from the impact ultraviolet rays And atmospheric air, which contains a small amount of moisture. Over time, the coating becomes matte, loses its shine and original appearance;
- Temperature changes also negatively affect external condition 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. When the temperature rises, MDF dries out and may crack; moreover, the glue contained in the panel loses its ability due to moisture, which leads to peeling of paper, lamination and shavings.
These causes of deformation lead to an unsightly appearance of the entire surface and disrupt the overall design of the wall. If these defects occur, you can paint MDF panels after first completing a number of preparatory procedures, but you should understand that painting parts with your own hands at home brings a result that differs from processing with paints in production.
Painting process for MDF panels
Before answering the question of how to paint MDF panels, you need to understand the composition of this product. An MDF board, wall or facade, consists of several layers of compressed paper and sawdust, laminated with a transparent or colored film with front side. Most often, it is upper layer is subject to damage and wear, so when planning to update MDF you need to prepare specified types coatings
In order to prepare MDF panels for painting at home, you will need:
- Sandpaper for preparing the surface and removing gloss or varnish;
- Solvent for degreasing the surface from glue 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 action algorithm. The first step is to sand the panel. sanding paper with a fine fraction, this can be done manually or using a pneumatic tool. It is important to follow the varnish removal technology, to prevent overheating of the surface or the formation of large marks on the laminate. The wood-fiber surface is under the decorative film, so when sanding you need to carefully monitor the thickness of the top layer so as not to erase it completely. After this procedure, the coating will no longer shine and will become rough and slightly scratchy.
Next, you need to clean all cracks and chips from dirt and dust, and also clean their edges. All irregularities, if necessary, are smoothed over with a special putty, which forms a single whole with the base of the panel; it also needs to be leveled sandpaper.
After the surface has been processed and leveled, it must be wiped with a dry cloth and degreased with a chemical solvent, which will displace and evaporate all water and wash away dust and dirt.
On next stage the top coating is primed with a special paint; it has a grainy texture and can be applied using compressed air or a simple brush. It can be used to cover the surface in several layers, with intermediate grinding until the required smoothness is achieved.
Next, the base paint is prepared, tinted and thoroughly mixed so that all the elements are mixed together. You can paint MDF panels manually or with a special paint air gun, but this will require 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 paint sagging is prevented.
The final stage will be processing the top paper-wood layer of the panel clear varnish. This procedure is not necessary, but after it is carried out, the surface of the MDF product becomes glossy, its top layer seems renewed, and the appearance of the entire structure is restored.
For your information. It is important to observe the drying intervals for elements between layers of primer, paint and varnish, since otherwise they will curl and crack, and you will have to do all the work again.
How to paint and renew MDF panels
For MDF panels you can use alkyd or acrylic enamel, but when choosing paint you should take into account the type of primer, operating conditions of the panels, as well as the composition of the top layer. If it is laminated paper with a synthetic, weakly 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 renewed and also additionally protected from the moisture of an aggressive external environment.
Thus, if the entire painting technology is followed, the question of whether it is possible to paint MDF panels becomes completely solvable at home.
Video
Today MDF is considered popular and relatively available material, without which the production of kitchen panels and various furniture. At the same time, MDF is often painted, which makes the facade smoother and more wear-resistant. In addition, due to painting, the panels receive a deeper and bright color, which can be matched to your furniture.
Regular mdf panels can be made an interior decoration by simply painting them Advantages and disadvantages of painting MDF panels
Painting of surfaces made from MDF is done not only for decorative, but also for protective purposes. The main advantages of painting panels yourself:
- The coating is resistant to elevated temperatures, which allows you to place even hot dishes on the kitchen surface.
- High quality painting MDF enamel allows you to make the facade more refined and original, giving it unique design. For example, you can decorate your furniture interesting decor in the form of pearls, mother-of-pearl, metallic and so on. To achieve this, various fillers are added to the paint.
- Safety for health, since only high-quality paints and varnishes are used.
Painted MDF panels not only look better, but are also more reliable and durable Disadvantages of painting MDF panels:
- more high price compared to film coating;
- If you use low-quality paint, over time the painted facade may fade under the influence of sunlight.
Modern technology for painting MDF panels
Correct and high-quality painting must be carried out in compliance with all rules technological process. To work you will need paint, wood primer or polyurethane primer coating solution, as well as varnish.
In order for a painted facade to look beautiful and not deteriorate over time, certain temperature conditions must be observed. It is best if all processes take place at a temperature of about twenty degrees. At the same time, air humidity should be in the range from 50 to 80 percent. Humidity of wall wood panels should be 8-15%.
Before application paint and varnish materials they must be filtered using a 50-100 micron filter. It is advisable to filter twice if the paint has been stored for more than two weeks.
Selection of painting equipment
To paint MDF with your own hands, it is advisable to have a room of at least 40 square meters, equipped with a special painting chamber and a place for sanding surfaces. In addition, storage space should be provided wooden blanks and finished panels.
The temperature in the room where the façade or interior surfaces will be painted must be at least twenty degrees. It is best to equip the painting chamber with a hood and a rotating tabletop. Drying room finished parts must have shelving. It is best to equip the place where you plan to sand with reliable vacuum cleaners.
Modern painting technology involves applying paints and primers using a pneumatic spray gun with a 1.5-2 mm nozzle and a receiver compressor with a capacity of at least 80 liters. If used, it is applied using a sprayer directly to the surface. It is best to grind parts using vibration grinder. Polishing is carried out with an angular grinding machine.
Painting stages
Preparatory stage
On preparatory stage You need to pay great attention to the processing of the slab. To treat the surface to a glossy finish, you need to avoid raising the pile and eliminating embossing that occurred during the production process.
The MDF facade should be milled at maximum speed, which will avoid raising the pile. Because layer paint coating Since it is very thin, it is advisable not to leave sharp corners that can be easily knocked off. For cutting corners, it is best to use an edge cutter with a radius of about 3 mm.
To properly sand the MDF facade, it is necessary to remove the surface protective wax layer from the entire surface. An eccentric type grinder is best suited for this work. For processing complex bends It is advisable to use sandpaper. If you plan to paint MDF wall surfaces that include several component elements, then it is better to properly fill the joint gaps with a primer to fill the pores.
Surface priming
At the first stage, the most problematic relief areas are primed. After this, the edges of the panel are primed. At the final stage, the entire facade is treated with soil. Using a primer gun, apply the solution first longitudinally and then transversely. In this case, each subsequent layer is overlapped with the previous one by 50%. This is how not only the primer is carried out, but also the painting itself.
The most effective primer application technology involves two stages. The first step is to use a spray gun to apply a layer of insulating primer. It should prevent the pile from rising and absorbing subsequent layers of paint. After this, you need to let the primer dry and sand the surface with P320-400 sandpaper.
The second step of priming is to apply polyurethane primer and let it dry for at least 10 hours. Next, the surface is ground, and Scotch-brite abrasive is used in places where milling bends are made.
For sanding after applying primer, it is recommended to use sandpaper number p320 Painting stage
To paint an MDF facade with high quality, you need to use a spray gun with paint consumption parameters of 60-200 g/sq. m. All other parameters of the device are set depending on the type of paint coating used. In this regard, before you paint the facade glossy, you need to thoroughly understand the instructions for using the paint.
Wet painting technology
After the priming stage, drying is carried out at a temperature not exceeding 35 degrees. The drying period is on average five hours. The wet painting method is carried out by applying a mixture with a thickness of 120 to 140 microns. It is advisable to use polyurethane paints and varnishes.
The paint is applied using a spray gun with a certain pressure. Application in two layers is also possible, but the surface should be sanded before applying the second layer. At the same time, the thickness of each layer should not be more than 120 microns. At the next stage, several layers of polyester or polyurethane primer are applied to the MDF board, simultaneously with intermediate sanding. The final layer of glossy enamel must be polished.
When applying complex compositions of paints and varnishes with different special effects, they must be mixed well. This is necessary so that the decoration parts do not settle at the bottom of the jar.
In addition, it is necessary to provide easy passage decorative additives along the nozzle of the spray gun.
When painting and varnishing MDF surfaces, care should be taken to ensure that dust, insects or other debris does not fall on it. To remove them from a painted surface, you need to have tweezers with you. If you find smudges of primer or paint, they should be eliminated using stationery knife and sandpaper.
Using tweezers you can easily remove bugs, pieces of dirt and other stuck excess Powder mixture for painting
The dry painting method involves applying a special paint called a powder mixture. The technique involves spraying dry microparticles onto the prepared surface. After this, the applied paint is heated until it begins to melt. The result is an almost ideal, flat surface.
Drying
The final stage of any painting is drying the panels. This procedure must be carried out when certain conditions. In particular, the air temperature should be no more than 50 degrees, and humidity less than 80%.
Drying time largely depends on conditions environment. Typically, it will take 5 to 10 hours to dry completely. In general, the lower the humidity and temperature, the faster the MDF board dries.
Conclusion
Thus, for high-quality painting MDF boards everything must be observed the necessary conditions. This process consists of several steps such as sanding, priming, painting and drying.
MDF - fibreboard- is a relatively young material. Its production began in the USA in 1966. In a short period of time, this material has almost completely replaced wood in furniture production.
Furniture facades steel common occurrence in our kitchens, in our offices and in many other places.
MDF is the material medium density, which is made by pressing (under high pressure and at high temperature) fine chips. Lignin, a naturally occurring substance found in wood, acts as a binding material.
Of course, in terms of its strength characteristics, this material is significantly inferior to wood, however, as a material for finishing surfaces, it (wood) is a worthy replacement. The main advantages of MDF include the following:
- Resists moisture well;
- Heat resistant;
- High surface strength;
- Very technologically advanced and easy to use;
- Low cost;
- Stable various microorganisms and fungi.
The use of MDF for finishing gave a new impetus to the flight of design ideas and made it possible to significantly expand the possibilities of decorating furniture.
But DDF facades, like facades made from other materials, lose their shine over time. During operation, they may require replacement, or the furniture facades no longer harmonize with the respectable appearance of a freshly renovated kitchen. Whatever the reason, there are two solutions. The facades need to either be changed or repainted.
Painting MDF facades is a relatively simple matter and does not require any special knowledge. If desired and necessary materials and tools, we are quite capable of coping with this task to an ordinary person, not experienced in modern construction technologies.
This article will discuss how to paint an MDF facade with your own hands.
Fiberboards lend themselves well to painting. This fact once again confirms high quality this material and its high manufacturability. To understand the reasons for such a loyal attitude of the material to the products of the paint and varnish industry, you should pay attention to the main advantages of MDF:
- Due to the homogeneity, naturalness and solidity of the surface, the material does not need additional training surfaces for painting, unlike most existing materials. If on fiberboard surfaces there is a layer old paint, then all surface preparation will consist of removing this layer, which will not be difficult and will not take away large quantity time;
- The MDF surface is very resistant to mechanical deformation. Due to this, the surface can not only be painted, but even minor changes can be made to the surface texture.
We paint MDF ourselves
The algorithm for painting a furniture facade made of MDF with your own hands includes the following steps:
- Surface preparation;
- Primer;
- Selecting the type and color of paint;
- Applying paint.
In the process of performing these operations you will need following materials and tools:
- Roller and paint brush;
- Painting tape;
- Construction hair dryer;
- Latex gloves;
- Primer for wood;
- Fine-grit sandpaper.
Surface preparation
First of all, in the process of preparing the surface, it is necessary to remove all elements of fittings from it.
As mentioned above, the MDF surface, provided that it has no mechanical damage, does not require preparation for painting. by using construction hair dryer. Do not attempt to perform this operation manually - it will be time-consuming and may cause significant damage to the surface of the material. If there are noticeable marks on the MDF surface mechanical damage, they can be removed using wood putty. At the end of the preparation process, the surface must be carefully treated with fine-grained sandpaper.
Surface primer
As a primer for surfaces made of MDF is better A wood primer will do just fine. The method of applying the primer is entirely up to you. Can be used .
It will take a day for the primer to dry completely.
Selecting paint type and color
When choosing the type of paint for an MDF facade, it is recommended to give preference to auto enamel. Representatives of this relatively new family paint and varnish products, are characterized by high heat and moisture resistance, and are able to create a durable coating.
Modern manufacturers of car enamels offer consumers wide choose rich products color range. There is no doubt that in this kaleidoscope of colors and shades you will be able to choose the optimal color option for yourself, which will allow you to furniture facades fit harmoniously into the interior of your room.
Applying paint
The paint has been selected. The primer has dried. You can start doing what you started all this for, applying paint. Tape off areas not intended to be painted, if any. masking tape and start painting the surface. The method and method of applying paint is at your discretion. Paint must be applied in one direction.
As a result, you will receive a durable, varnished or matte coating, depending on the texture of the paint, that will give the furniture facades the new kind and will reliably protect them for a long time.
The video shows MDF facades being painted:
If you are skeptical about your abilities and do not want to take risks, then you should seek help from specialists. But in this case, the price of painting MDF facades will be significantly higher and will range from 1200 to 2000 rubles per square meter surfaces.