Priming an MDF ceiling

sparkwright · 28 Dec 2014

Is a water-based primer suitable for a bare MDF ceiling?

Instinct tells me oil-based would be best, but since I have some water-based, and clean up would be easier, I wondered what would be acceptable.

stef99 · 28 Dec 2014

Never seen an MDF ceiling before... but ok..

Use water based paint on anything as the oil based VOC content has been changed under new EU rules. (2013)
Never ever use oil based stuff. It wll go yellow within 4 weeks.
Oil based stuff is only used on external wood from now on.

the best stuff I have used is Johnstons Aqua based gloss.
basically water based and had no problems with it.
it's about £30 for 5 litres.

sparkwright · 28 Dec 2014

I just wanted to be sure a water-based primer would adhere ok.

I think the final finish will be satin.

It's a ceiling in a shed.

oldschoolmechanic · 28 Dec 2014

stef99 said:
Never seen an MDF ceiling before... but ok..

Use water based paint on anything as the oil based VOC content has been changed under new EU rules. (2013)
Never ever use oil based stuff. It wll go yellow within 4 weeks.
Oil based stuff is only used on external wood from now on.

the best stuff I have used is Johnstons Aqua based gloss.
basically water based and had no problems with it.
it's about £30 for 5 litres.

The OP is asking about primer, not gloss

Johnstones do a MDF primer.

http://www.johnstonestrade.com/products/product-display/mdf-primer

dcdec · 28 Dec 2014

Aqua's not bad but he's asking about a primer. Zinsser recommend 123, once this is applied you can finish the ceiling with whatever paint you want as i'm sure you know

sparkwright · 28 Dec 2014

Would I get away with regular water-based primer though?

I gather MDF primer and Zinnser 123 are water-based.

stef99 · 28 Dec 2014

well personally. I painted my entire house with oil based stuff. and then ended up having to sand the whole house down ,and then re-painting it with water based stuff.. I was not happy...
I was alos working in another country when they changed the oil paint content. so I didn;t know about it until 4 weeks after I had done it.

It means I have some cheap primer on the bottom of my paint and johnstones water based gloss on the top...

It seems fine, but thats the best info I can give you about it...

I personally would advise Johnstones as I had no problems.. both for primer and the top coat.

sparkwright · 28 Dec 2014

Is it me, or...

dcdec · 29 Dec 2014

With over 4000 posts i'm sure the op is well aware of the yellowing paint problems (which actually began following the VOC changes in 2010), but thats not his question is it?

IMO the most important part of a paint system is the primer, MDF can be very porous and could draw in a lot of water from the paint causing it to peel or flake, or at minimum be very patchy. I'd def go with a specific MDF primer or the 123.

Grenage · 29 Dec 2014

I used some water-based primer on MDF, and you do get a bit of grain lifting. Two coats and a sand was absolutely fine before the satinwood went on.

stef99 · 29 Dec 2014

dcdec said:
With over 4000 posts i'm sure the op is well aware of the yellowing paint problems (which actually began following the VOC changes in 2010), but thats not his question is it?

IMO the most important part of a paint system is the primer, MDF can be very porous and could draw in a lot of water from the paint causing it to peel or flake, or at minimum be very patchy. I'd def go with a specific MDF primer or the 123.

No it's not his question. nut since he considered using oil based paint on internal wood. I thoght it would be usefull information dispsite his 4000 posts, and the fact that he asked a question relating to paint.

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Priming an MDF ceiling

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