Im wanting to put a fine piano gloss on my new sub box but know from past experience that the ends of mdf absorb paint like a sponge, does anyone know of anything I can precoat to make the paint go on without absorbing.

Not sure about the precoat, but heres a good thread on the piano gloss finish maybe its posted in there what to use.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=708768&page=1&pp=30

thanks

Make a mixture of 50/50 water and wood glue. Paint it on the edges. Put on as many coats as it takes.
HTH

Try Minwax High Performance Wood Hardener. It's designed for solidifying rotted wood, but it works great on MDF edges. It will soak right into the end grain and harden it completely. Just keep painting on coats until it stops soaking in - it will take a lot. Once saturated and dry, you can then easily fill and sand the edges.

It will also help strengthen the corners and prevent major damage if you ever get a corner hit, an area where MDF is extremely weak.

Jim

awesome that sounds like what im looking for!!!

Try Minwax High Performance Wood Hardener. It's designed for solidifying rotted wood, but it works great on MDF edges. It will soak right into the end grain and harden it completely. Just keep painting on coats until it stops soaking in - it will take a lot. Once saturated and dry, you can then easily fill and sand the edges.

It will also help strengthen the corners and prevent major damage if you ever get a corner hit, an area where MDF is extremely weak.

Jim

Wish I knew that two weeks ago. I tried 4 coats of primer and that wasn't enough. I've never seen any wood soak up so much paint before. Thank you for the info.

I second the wood glue and water mixture, works great and is cheap.

What kind of paint are you going to use?

I use automotive paints. You can get an automotive filler primer that will coat the MDF in a thick layer of primer. I usually do 2 -3 coats and sand each coat in between.

after that just apply the paint in the usual manor. paint, wet sand, paint, wet sand, and repeat until you have a smooth finish. then polish, wax and enjoy your hard work.

If you don't paint a lot don't worry. you can always sand a mistake and repaint.

where can I find this automotive primer filler, does it fill in gaps as well, small ones.

I use Killz primer/sealer that you can get at any home center.

where can I find this automotive primer filler, does it fill in gaps as well, small ones.

The stuff I use is a two part primer. It fill holes, cracks, and dimples really good. it's almost like spray on bondo. and very easy to use.

I get mine from an Auto Zone auto parts store that supplys independant auto body/paint shops.

That kills stuff is nasty ive used that on the wall in my room, forget about ever using that paint brush again. Works good though.

That kills stuff is nasty ive used that on the wall in my room, forget about ever using that paint brush again. Works good though.
There are a few versions of it. If you buy the shellac-based version, then, yes, the brush pretty much has to be tossed. However, if you buy the latex-based version, the brush can be cleaned with warm, soapy water.

I was just using some of the latex-based Kilz yesterday and my brush was pretty easy to clean. I think I paid under $14.00 for a gallon of it at Wal-Mart. The version I purchased included a stain blocker. If you just need a primer and sealer without the stain blocker, that is the general version of Kilz, and only runs about $10 and change at Wal-Mart.

Make a mixture of 50/50 water and wood glue. Paint it on the edges. Put on as many coats as it takes.
HTH

Yup..Glue Size.....works wonderfully.