Spray Painting MDF

[Huskerfan]

Fozzy,  You're idea really intrigued me so I tried it tonight.  I followed your directions but the wood appeared to be just as porous when I finished.  Is this normal?  Should I put on another coat of glue/water? or is that necessary?  I NEED some words of encouragement!!!

Here's my "what if" question:  If this process does not work and I spray with my finish spray paint couldn't I just put on several more layers?  In other words, use my finish spray paint just like it was a primer.  It was only about $3.50 a can.

[fjl]

The better type to use the one that comes with wood fibers for sanding down and is weather proof.

In this application you most certainly DO NOT want one with wood fibres in it. You want plain ordinary "weatherproof white PVA wood glue" It's not for glueing things it's for sealing the surface so that it takes paint!!!

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Okay I didn't know that. I've never even tried wood fiber glue yet. I said so cause the container itself claims a more realistic wood like finish when painting and sanding since it has wood fibers in it. Maybe the ones you know of don't give a wood like finish after sanding and painting. Although, I don't think the one I saw was Elmer's brand.

[DrewKaree]

Fozzy - is the PVA really just regular old white glue (like Elmer's)?

Did anyone figure out what an equivalent to to "PVA" is in the states yet?

To answer javery, yes.  This should also answer Marty's question.

Elmer's plain old white school glue, when dry, is at least water resistant.

Also, for everyone else, here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_acetate 

The pertinent info:

PVA is sold, as an emulsion in water, as an adhesive for porous materials, particularly wood. It is the most commonly used wood glue, both as "white glue" and the yellow "carpenter's glue", the former also used extensively to glue other materials like paper and cloth and also holds cigarettes together. PVA is widely used in book making and book arts due to its flexibility and because it is not acidic like many polymers. Elmer's Glue is a popular brand of white PVA glue sold in the United States.

[Chris BEANS]

I've been reading through and was hoping for something definitive from people who've done it!!
Then the thread just stops.............. 

Right, I'm putting together my first stick (Just a standalone stick), and I'm far from any good  at woodwork so it's going to be no fancier than a square wooden box....

A few questions....

Can I spray the wooden panels completely, i.e. both sides before sticking them together, or will the paint prohibit this? - The reason I'd like to do both sides is so I can have a perspex bottom so that the insides can be seen...

Would it be quicker and easier to just buy some laminate and chuck that on the side instead?

If I did go for the paint, am I right in thinking sand, primer, sand, primer, sand, car paint, sand, car paint, sand, rubbing compound, done??

What rubbing compound is suggested? I'm sure I can find some myself but being a complete noob to this I'd rather have a brand name or type suggested.....

Thanks

EDIT: Just realised this would be better in woodworking!! Sorry!!

[richms]

The saw will mess up the paint, you may need to put some bog into the gaps where there are joins, and handling a large board with paint on both sides and not scratching it will prove challanging.

By all means paint it, but I would do the parts after cutting, and making sure not to get paint on the sides that will be glued together since thats another material that may fail causing it to break. Dont expect that paint job to be the final coats however.

BTW, MDF sealer is just a waterbased primer mixed with something like PVA, so there is no reason not to make your own. Its opaque so you can see where you have being vs a water/glue mix which is virtually transparent so hard to tell