Similar product to poly to put over paint?

[javeryh]

I am trying to get a very very smooth finish on my MDF cabinet - something that you'd get with 3 or 4 coats of poly over stained wood.  I definitely want to avoid the bumps that paint has when you touch it. 

I have heard that spraying on the paint is quite difficult to do evenly if you don't have any experience (I guess at some point I'll have to get experience though, right?)  Anyway, if I roll on the paint using a high quality roller is there something similar to poly but not exactly like it that I can add over the paint that will give me the finish I desire?  I'm open to suggestions...

Thanks.

[johnperkins21]

Way out there suggestion: plexi?

[Kaytrim]

The only way to get the glass like paint job is spray, wet sand, repeat.  If you know somebody that has an auto paint shop maybe they would paint the cab for you there.  Then you might get a glass like coat.

[javeryh]

The only way to get the glass like paint job is spray, wet sand, repeat.  If you know somebody that has an auto paint shop maybe they would paint the cab for you there.  Then you might get a glass like coat.

DO you need a special kind of paint?  Can Behr paint work?  How do you wet sand?  Just dip the sandpaper in water?  Ack... time for some google/wiki investigation I guess...

[Kaytrim]

While following up on another thread I came across this item.  It is expensive but it sounds like just what you are looking for. http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4140

[Mattiekrome]

While following up on another thread I came across this item.  It is expensive but it sounds like just what you are looking for. http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4140

You can actually create “floating” objects in your finish by embedding them between coats.

Wonder how side art would look "floating" between a couple coats of that stuff

[Kaytrim]

While following up on another thread I came across this item.  It is expensive but it sounds like just what you are looking for. http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4140

You can actually create “floating” objects in your finish by embedding them between coats.

Wonder how side art would look "floating" between a couple coats of that stuff

Think about some of the '3-D effects' you could produce.

[javeryh]

The thing that concerns me is that it is self leveling - applying it to an assembled cabinet might be disasterous but if you had the foresight to prefinish everything I bet you could get amazing results floating the art and whatnot.

[johnvv]

Javeryh:

For MDF painting, I highly recommend you:

- sand the MDF while wearing a protective mask
- apply a coat of primer (Killz or other are fine).  Use oil- base for oil-based paint, water-based for latex paints.  Apply via roller or brush, not via spray can.
- sand, with mask, using 120+ grit sanding material
- apply second coat of primer
- sand, with maks, using 220+ grit sanding material.

This will get the sides very smooth and protect them against water and moisture.

For paint, use quality paint.  Go to a real paint store, not Home Depot or Lowe's, and tell them what you are trying to accomplish.  A good paint store should be happy to help and sell you a high-quality paint that will self-level and perform well.  You may pay a bit more, but it will be worth it.  They should be able to tell which application method is best matches your desired results with their paint.

Modern latex paints are fine as long as they are high quality.  They are much easier to work with than oil-based paints.

[javeryh]

Thanks johnvv.  I pretty much followed your advice on a test panel.  I used a foam brush on the last coat of paint to avoid the "orange peel" texture as much as possible.  I added poly to the top coat and I'm going to add 3 more coats of it before I'm done.  I'll post pics of the results in a few days...