Can anyone suggest a good finish for MDF?
I made the Sturdy Workbench recently featured in an issue of Fine Woodworking.
It has a laminated MDF top made by glueing two sheets together. The only
problem now is that it stains very easily. It needs something to seal the surface
and provide a hard wearing finish. Any ideas?
Replies
i made particle board benches and i used ace hardware brand gloss solvent based porch and floor paint. very durable. if your looking for something that resists stain....wax should work.
Stoneybrook:
I use boiled linseed oil on all my shop benches and such.
Mike
Thanks Mike
I hear Linseed Oil has poor water reistance. Is that your experience?
Regards
Stoneybrook:
No I haven't found it a issue, but I usually give everything in my shop a coat about once a year and if I spill anything I try to wipe it off with a rag. I find it very low maintenance.
Mike
Use Titebond III diluted to about 70 water 30 glue. Brush a couple of coats and then coat with whatever clearcoat you want. This will waterproof the MDF and a clear coat will stick to it. Maybe a wipe on poly that is easy to recoat after wear.
tony
Thanks Tony
When you say a wipe on poly - can you be more specific?
Do you use a specific product?
Regards
Minwax makes a polyeurathane that is thin and can be put on with a cloth, brush or sponge brush. let it soak in a bit and wipe off. You can put multiple coats on after drying and sand lightly and recoat when necessary. I like to use it because it is easy to refresh when needed and glue and such wont stick to it. I have never put it on top of mdf after titebond so you may want to try a small piece first. I usually paint my MDF.
Shellac should do nicely.
As an aside, I made some tables for my SCMS station out of MDF and while finishing some pieces sprayed them with some leftover sanding sealer and clear lacquer. It's probably been 4 or 5 years now and they still look good despite getting a lot of rough use, it never ceases to amaze me how durable MDF is in the shop.
WAX! All I ever use. I buff it out with a wool pad an refresh when needed. If buffed out it does not get sticki or slippery.
You could put a nice hard laminate, that cleans up easily, on top. That's what i did with my router station.
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