How to Paint Particle Board?

[FirstNissan]

I bought a bookshelf from Staples last night for an absoulte bargain. From my understanding, the wood is MDF fiberboard. I have never done any wood-working projects, but I would like to paint it a dark brown to match my desk.

I was planning on staining it, but my FIL says that stain wont stick. He says to paint it, but the paint may not stick either. Suggestions?

 

[dparm]

MDF fibreboard is redundant.

You can definitely paint it, but it will need thick coats.

 

[Bgallagher]

First I would use BIN on any of the knots so it does not bleed through. Try an oil based primer and give it a couple coats (the board will suck up most of the primer so 2 coats should be suffecient.) Then paint it wiith 2-3 coats of any latex paint (I would use semi-gloss.)

If you are planning to stain it versus paint it would be a completely different procedure......

 

[demarpaint]

I'd prime it with a good oil primer sealer, and I'd finish it with an oil base paint. Bin is good for knots, although I don't think you'll find them on particle board. If you plan on putting books on it, glassware etc. you'll be glad you used oil for a finish paint. Latex finishes tend to remain soft and flexible, books and glass tend to stick to the surface, they won't stick to oil once it cures. Oil is also a much more durable finish.

 

[Loobed]

I do not know what fiberboard is. Is it compressed and glued paper?

When in doubt us KILZ. KILZ link

you can buy it almost anywhere; even at Walmart.

 

[sjstangman]

I recently painted something similar with with the fake wood grain "sticker" over fiber board. I roughed up the very smooth sticker surface a little with sandpaper so that the primer would stick to it and then painted it.

 

[kkreit01]

Oil-based primer, and then any paint of your choice. Kilz Complete is oil-based, and I just some last night on OSB. Sherwin Williams Exterior primer seemed to cover much better/thicker, but it's also more than 2x the price -- and it didn't go very far due to the thick coverage. I bought the Sherwin Williams at 30% off, and it was still quite a bit more than Kilz. It also takes forever to dry. Kilz dries and can be recoated in an hour.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

Originally Posted By: Loobed
I do not know what fiberboard is. Is it compressed and glued paper?

Multi-Density Fiberboard =MDF. Compressed and glued saw dust.

 

[mechtech2]

Prime first, then paint.
No need for oil base primer - water based is just fine.
This is 2012, not 1912.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Ursae_Majoris
Originally Posted By: Loobed
I do not know what fiberboard is. Is it compressed and glued paper?

Multi-Density Fiberboard =MDF. Compressed and glued saw dust.


MDF = medium density fiberboard

I wouldnt call it sawdust exactly

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Prime first, then paint.
No need for oil base primer - water based is just fine.
This is 2012, not 1912.


I'll have to respectfully disagree. I've painted as a professional for well over 30 years, and I am an industry expert. There are certain jobs where oil primer is better than latex, this is one of them.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Prime first, then paint.
No need for oil base primer - water based is just fine.
This is 2012, not 1912.


I'll have to respectfully disagree. I've painted as a professional for well over 30 years, and I am an industry expert. There are certain jobs where oil primer is better than latex, this is one of them.


+1 Water is good but for this application a good oil primer is perfect. Sherman Williams is good but Benjamin Moore has always been my go to brand for anything that can be painted (wish they made auto paint haha.)