MDF prep for paint

[robmorris]

Hi

I made a MDF shelf recently that took some 8 coats of '1 coat' gloss
The paint just absorbed. Looked awful on the cut edges..

I have a new project and want to know of the best method to seal the MDF for paint.

I have found some old threads dating back 10 years and everyone suggested different methods.

So what is the best method today?

Cheers

 

[kjacko]

I painted a diluted mix of pva on first to avoid the furring and minimise sanding.
Think i used acrylic primer on my mdf skirting boards that i mitred myself from raw board.
Then i used water based satinwood.
Still had to sand each layer a bit though.

 

[WalksWithTurkeys]

I used Zinsser 123 followed by two coats of Dulux Brilliant White Matt Emulsion when finishing a cover for some boiler pipes. It looks good. I might have used two coats of 123, I can't remember. The two pieces of MDF were butted and screwed together, and you can't see the join where an end meets a surface. I lightly sanded between coats to remove nibs.

 

[foxhole]

A coat of emulsion seals and prepares mdf to take oil based paint.