MDF is a common material in your home or commercial building. From shelving and storage to IKEA furniture, you’ll be surprised how much there is if you take the time to look closer. MDF is often treated to make it look better and protect it from scratches, scuffs, and general wear and tear.
However, over the years MDF can start to become an eyesore. Thankfully, you don’t have to put up with it if you choose the right paint and painting accessories. Today we’re going to explain how to paint MDF, and what you can do to ensure it looks great for a long time.
But first, the basics.
What is MDF?
Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) is made from a combination of hardwood and softwood, which are broken down and mixed with wax and resin. The mixture is then pressed into solid panels, for a fraction of the price of the equivalent hardwood.
This is why MDF is perfect for things like shelving and affordable furniture, as it combines robustness with easy manufacturing. It’s also easy to cut, so you can get everything from straight lines for a wardrobes to extreme curves for chairs and tables.
You can easily spot MDF if it isn’t covered with wood panels, as the unique, sawdust-like texture is very distinctive. Some people aren’t a fan of the look, which is why wood treatments and paint for MDF is desirable.
Can you Paint MDF?
Absolutely! Like all wood surfaces, MDF can be painted as long as you have the right paint for the job, and prepare the surface properly before you get started.
The face of MDF is fairly simple to paint, just like any other wood. However, if you want to paint the edges, where you can see the sawdust, it gets trickier.
Because of its porous nature, this part of MDF can’t be painted with any old wood paint, as thinner paints will simply disappear into the cracks, creating an uneven finish that barely looks different. Untreated MDF is also a rough surface, which will affect the final finish, and means that some brushes and rollers won’t be up to the challenge. This is why both domestic and professional painters turn to us for their painting advice.
The Benefits of Painting MDF
Although the faces can differ in colour, MDF wood often looks a little ‘samey’. For shelving, this isn’t a big deal, as the things you put on the shelves will be the centrepiece.
MDF furniture, however, can look a little dull next to your lovely painted walls, doors, and skirting boards. IKEA furniture is the best way to furnish your home thanks to the range of designs and durability, but since they’re so popular, people will know at a glance where you got it from.
We’ve talked a lot about painting IKEA furniture in the past, and they aren’t the only supplier that uses MDF, but as a quick reminder you can repaint your pieces to make them suit your style or stand out from the crowd.
But the benefits of painting MDF aren’t just aesthetic. By adding layers of paint and primer, you also protect the surface. Scuffs, marks, scratches, and stains can ruin the look of your furniture, and with pets and people around you can’t avoid this unless you wrap everything in bubble wrap. If you’ve moved recently, your furniture pieces might have taken a battering too. But with some fresh paint, you can make them look better than new.
The Best Paint for MDF
For MDF, you have a few paint options. Like any wood surface, the biggest choice is between paint and a wood treatment like varnish or wood stain.
The latter options keep the ‘wood’ look, but switch up the shade to make it look darker, lighter, or like a specific kind of wood. This gives you a great way to make your furniture and shelves look more expensive, something friends and family will be jealous of.
Wood paint gives you a lot more colour and shade options. Some people shy away from oil-based paints because they make the surface ‘plasticky’, but if you want a bold colour, this is the best paint for you. Oil-based paints are tougher than their water-based counterparts, but aren’t as beginner-friendly and create a strong odour that you’ll have to work around.
With paint, you can also choose the sheen level. Oil-based wood paint will always create a glossier (high-sheen) finish, so if matte is better for you, water-based wood paint will be the go-to.
Arguably more important than the paint itself is primer. As we mentioned, MDF can be a tricky material to paint properly; our quality GripMaster primer will create a better surface to paint onto that will also add even more protection as well as enhancing the colour.
How to Paint MDF
As long as you have the best tools for the job, and the perfect paint, MDF painting is a simple process. If you’re a relatively new painter, it’s a great way to get some easy practice before you move onto trickier surfaces.
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Paint/Varnish/Woodstain*
*We’ll be using the word ‘paint’ throughout this guide, but the method still applies to wood treatments.
STEP ONE – Prepare the Room
Where you paint is just as important as what you’re painting. If it’s a furniture piece, place it in the centre of the room away from walls and other surfaces, with your dust sheets arranged around it to catch any splashes or spillages.
If you have MDF shelving that’s fixed to the wall, it’ll be more of a challenge, but if you take your time and cover your walls with sheets and/or masking tape, you’ll be fine.
Remember that if you’re using oil-based paint, you need to ventilate the room as well as you can, as the fumes will be strong. Open windows and stay close to them, wearing a mask if you need one.
STEP TWO – Prepare the Surface
Like with any painting project, the better you prepare the surface the easier it will be. This is especially true for MDF.
The first step is to clean the surface. Any imperfections and dirt will show through your paint and primer, so it’s vital that you remove them first. Cleaning will also reveal any damage or wear that you then need to address.
Since MDF is quite rough in parts, you also need to sand it down to make it as smooth as possible. Painting a rough surface leads to an uneven finish, so take your time with sanding and then give it another clean afterwards.
STEP THREE – Apply Primer to MDF
Primer is essential for wood painting. As it has a clear finish, you need to make sure you get even coverage across the surface.
Use a combination of your paintbrush and roller to apply even strokes of primer. The roller is perfect for flat, open areas, while your brush will handle the edges and fiddly bits. If there is still some roughness to the surface, make sure you choose rollers and brushes that can handle it.
STEP FOUR – Apply Paint to MDF
Now for the fun part.
Once your primer has dried, apply an even layer of your chosen paint, overlapping each stroke to ensure complete coverage. The paint or wood treatment you’ve picked will determine drying times and the recommended number of layers – always check the manufacturer’s instructions so you can plan your time wisely.
STEP FIVE – Admire your Work
Once the final layer of paint has dried, clear away your supplies and admire your freshly painted MDF. How does it look?
As well as adding more protection to the surface, you’ve taken inexpensive furnishings and turned them into something special that suits your style.
The UK’s Most Trusted Paint Supplier
MDF is an easy material to paint once you know how, and have the best paint for the task. With it you can transform your furniture, shelving, and more to give your home a unique look.
If you’re looking for a new, simple painting project, this is a great place to start. And no matter what you decide to work on, you can always rely on Paintmaster to provide the best paint and painting accessories for your needs.
FAQ's
Can you paint MDF furniture?
MDF is a common material used for all types of furniture such as kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, and cupboards. painting MDF furniture is a great way to create a durable and professional finish rather than the chalky, plain appearance of MDF panels.
The key to painting MDF furniture is heavily sanding the surface and applying a primer before adding 2 coats of our furniture paint. The best furniture paints we’d recommend are durable oil-based paints, for a clean and tough finish. Painting the corners of your MDF furniture is the trickiest part, so it’s important you have a fresh paint brush to get the perfect even finish.
Can you paint MDF with emulsion paint?
Yes, you can paint MDF boards with emulsion paint, but proper preparation is vital due to the chalky surface quality that comes with medium density fireboards. The preparation involves sanding down the surface, and applying a primer such as our multi-purpose primer.
How to paint MDF edges?
Painting the sides of MDF boards can be tricky as the cut edges can be furry or rough and tend to absorb paint unevenly.
The best way to paint MDF edges starts with the preparation, you need to sand the edges using a 120 to 240 grit sandpaper. Onece you’ve sanded the edges use a damp cloth to wipe away the dust but make sure you don’t get the MDF wet as that causes the MDF to swell. The next step is to apply a coat of primer, and leave it for around 30 minutes before applying a second coat of primer.
Once you’ve done that it’s time to paint the MDF. Common paints used to paint MDF include acrylic eggshell paint, and satinwood. We’d recommend you apply 2 or 3 thin coats of your selected paint.