Painting MDO

[GregD]

Looking for some advice.  The components of my cabinet are cut out of MDO and I am looking for the best method to paint it.  I see that many use foam rollers for this job.  What is the best technique for getting a smooth coat with as little texture as possible?  Should I be thinning the paint?  What type of paint and what type of primer should be used?  Latex or oil?  Gloss or Semi Gloss?  I googled painting methods for MDO and the replies were from exterior sign makers that used some $pecialty paint.  I have no problem purchasing good paint but it should be available off the shelf at Big orange or Sherwin Williams, etc.  I do have an HVLP spray kit but everytime I have painted with it I have gotten the orange peel results even when using Flotrol to thin.  Anyone have a tried and true method?  Thanks in advance.

[Dervacumen]

Maybe check out this thread.  It's full of a bunch of gobbledegook about painting.  I didn't follow those instructions, and ended up with very light roller bumps.  Next time I'll follow these instructions.  The overlay on MDO must be very similar to MDF, no?

[GregD]

MDO has a paper overlay that takes paint really well.  It is also kind of expensive so I do not want to mess it up.  I dont see a link in your post.  Thanks

Nevermind. I see it now

[Ond]

MDO has a paper overlay that takes paint really well.  It is also kind of expensive so I do not want to mess it up.  I dont see a link in your post.  Thanks

Nevermind. I see it now

I've had pretty good results using my painting method, you can find details here (scroll down the page to a step by step guide):

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88912.960

[GregD]

So, what would work best?  Oil or latex?  I would prefer to use latex but if the results will be significantly better with oil based then I will do that.

[Dervacumen]

Just follow what Ond does, if you can.  You'll get excellent results.