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Paint and Vinyl/Artwork?
rdmustang:
I'm about to start painting my cabinet this weekend (built from scratch using MDF). I'm also in the process of designing artwork that I am going to have printed at mamemarquees.com.
My questions is... what has everyone done UNDER the vinyl (or whatever the proprietary material that they use). I was planning on using just the primer that I already have (latex) but I just read on mamemarquees not to use latex paint.
I'd like to hear what others have done (bare wood, latex/other primer, paint, etc?).
MYX:
I have used oil based paint with MAME Marquee's stuff and it worked great.
johnvv:
What has worked for me (and seen others use):
- Two layers of oil-based primer to protect and control the wood/mdf/particle boad. Sand, sand, sand between coats.
- if you art has transparent or opaque areas/material, then a color coat of oil-based paint works. Wet sand the paint (600 grit+).
The above gets the surface really smooth. Thin vinyl will show any underlying surface 'warts.' Thicker vinyl is more forgiving of a surface imperfections.
rdmustang:
My art has no transparency (at least for now)..
I already have latex primer and paint.. Will I ruin the artwork by using the latex? Would it be worth the $10-$15 or whatever to go ahead and get oil-based primer?
johnvv:
I understand that latex paint will lose adhesion (don't the the technical paint term) to the wood surface unless properly cured. That means drying for several weeks. I don't know if that applies to latex primer.
The value of going back to oil-based probably depends on the value of you art and your time. Given the overall effort you are likely putting into this, I'd go buy an oil-based primer (Killz is a brand I use).
Check out the painting section at rgvac.com:
http://www.rgvac.com/restoration.asp?projid=16
With MDF, you should definitely prime to protect it from possible water/humidity damage down the road. Just use a small roller to apply it and then sand with 200+ grit to get real smooth. Get some tack cloths (~$2) to pick up all the residual primer and dust on the sides before apply the art.