Painting Question

[Effayy]

People always say that there are no stupid questions.  Well I'm here to stretch that phrase as far as it can go and see if it breaks.

I'd assume this applies to painting in general, but I'm very curious to know this:

I laminate one side of a sheet of MDF.  I prime the other side to keep moisture from getting inside. (my cabinet will end up in my unfinished basement, booooo)  What about the egdes?  They won't be visible, and will be screwed at 90o into other peices of MDF.  Will they still need to be primed to seal out moisture?

Also, considering that the primed sides of MDF will be facing the inside of the cabinet, is it still recommended to apply a coat of paint as well, or will a coat or two of primer be enough to seal out the moisture?

As you can see, I'm a painting n00b.  Commence laughing..... now!

- FA

[HaRuMaN]

I would think you would be fine with a coat or two of primer.  No need to do the edges, either.  As long as you're not spraying the thing with a water hose you should be ok.  

[old school gamer]

It wouldnt hurt to paint the edges, I mean you came this far. As for painting the inside.... it might be a good idea,just in case you have any gaps in the cab,and if you have a light inside the cab ( Marquee light )...you could see the primer through the gaps. If the primers the same color as the laminate then dont worry about it. I painted mine inside and out though,just to be on the safe side.

[unclet]

I agree, as long as you do not spill water all over it, you should be able to get away with just two coats of primer.  Make sure you do "2" coats though since MDF sucks in the primer.

Although keep in mind that if you have a party which includes a keg of beer and someone (who might be on their 8th beer ... since it is free   ) spills a bit, you do not want it to leak through any crevaces (sp?) and get inside.    

What I personally did was two coats of prime on everything outside of the cab and also everything inside the cab which was around cracks and spaces.   I also painted my cabinet black and painted the places I primed inside my cab black as well so I would not see "white" color through any holes, gaps, etc... from the outside.

Ok, rambling....I will stop...good luck.

PS:  God for bid anyone sets their beer "on" your control panel !!!!!!

[traig]

Unclet (and everyone else!), did you use oil-based primers and paints on your MDF? I'm just now about to begin this stage. I want a black cab and don't know what kind of primer or paint (oil or water based, semi or full gloss, etc) to use yet.

[old school gamer]

Use OIL based primer on MDF. After that you can use whatever type of paint you like. OSG

[DrewKaree]

...if you have a party which includes a keg of beer and someone (who might be on their 8th beer ... since it is free   ) spills a bit, you do not want it to leak through any crevaces (sp?) and get inside.....PS:  God for bid anyone sets their beer "on" your control panel !!!!!!

When you buy your primer, have them tint it to more closely match your final color.

While you're at the hardware store, make sure to buy a dowel rod...one of those long thin whippy kind, about a quarter inch thick...to apply with sufficient force to the back of the legs of the person setting  a beer on your cab...sacrilege!  

[gap]

Should MDF be primed before it's laminated?  Will the primer provide  better adhesion for the laminate?  Or maybe worse?

[neuromancer]

I'd say put one coat of primer on it and then paint it. You can get paint for cheap at places like Home Depot in odd colors.

Reason is because primer isn't necessarily designed to keep moisture out. It's there to make paint stick better. Exterior paint, otoh, _is_ designed to keep moisture out.

I think we're all assumining that you laminated it with plastic, and not wood veneer.

You could still get problems if you have temperature swings, because the plastic will probably expand at a different rate than the mdf, but you can easily avoid probs by using some interior bracing. Just avoid having big expanses of wood. It's probably not an issue anyway, but I like to be extra safe.

Bob

Bob