Sticking sideart to MDF

[iscariot]

Does anyone have pointers on making things stick to MDF?  The edges of the art on my MDF cab are coming up.

[Ginsu Victim]

Did you paint it first?

[RandyT]

Does anyone have pointers on making things stick to MDF?  The edges of the art on my MDF cab are coming up.

MDF is very porous material, so it should be sealed before applying PSA backed materials to it.  If you are covering the entire side with a decal, perhaps some varnish, or some inexpensive semi-gloss or gloss paint first.  It doesn't need to be pretty, but make sure it smooth and clean before you try to apply a decal.

RandyT

[nickynooch]

I remember the fumes take a while to go away after the paint is dry.  I think I read something saying to wait 3 or 4 days AFTER the paint dries but it may have been a full week.  There are still fumes coming even when the paint is dry, which causes it to bubble and peal off if not waiting a while after the paint is dry.

I'm sure that's not the most tech-y explaination, but you get what I'm saying.

[tjterrill]

This is a good question, as I will be in the same situation very soon.

[RandyT]

I remember the fumes take a while to go away after the paint is dry.  I think I read something saying to wait 3 or 4 days AFTER the paint dries but it may have been a full week.  There are still fumes coming even when the paint is dry, which causes it to bubble and peal off if not waiting a while after the paint is dry.

I'm sure that's not the most tech-y explaination, but you get what I'm saying.

I think the technical term would be "outgassing", or something of that nature .

But yes, this is true for solvent based coatings.  A latex may be a little more forgiving in this regard.  But the weather is getting better all over, so putting the painted panels outside in the sun (if possible) or will accelerate the process.

[mark shaker]

I think that you will be much happer if you slap some laminate (such as Formica) on the MDF and then put the sideart on the laminate.

If you have to replace t-molding, they made some offset t-molding designed to cover the extra thickness of the laminate.

Yup. It's more expensive, but it makes for a sweet looking cab.

   - Mark