Advice on finishing this bookcase

[Jupiter01]

I’ve built a bookcase and would welcome your advice on how I paint/stain this please.

It’s constructed from 18mm MDF and here’s where I am currently at:


I’ve got more to build and here is the design I am following:


I’d like to finish this in a wood colour if possible. I appreciate the limitations of MDF. My doors have Osmo Oil and I’d like to get close to this colour if possible.

Can you also advise if I first need to primer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[johnny2007]

Definitely prime the mdf first otherwise you'll be painting for the rest of your days.
Then any colour of your choice will do.

 

[Jupiter01]

Which primer do you recommend for this?
Also, is staining an option for MDF?

 

[Jupiter01]

I’d really appreciate your views on this topic please.

 

[Jupiter01]

Can I please have some more advice on this as I am unclear on how I should approach this. Here’s the colour and finish on my doors


I am hoping to achieve a similar look to this. I’m unsure on whether I should stain, prime and paint or something else.

Can I also have some advice on when and how much I should sand the MDF prior to these applications.

Thanks in advance.

 

[johnny2007]

Those doors are made of wood or veneer.
Your bookcase is made of mdf.
You have no chance to achieve 1/10 of that finish.
Your best bet is to paint the bookcase with a flat bold colour (white, black, pink, orange, green, blue...)
If you wanted a wood finish the bookcase should have been made with... you guessed it: wood.

 

[Jupiter01]

I appreciate I won’t get the wood grain showing through but why can’t I have a similar colour?

 

[johnny2007]

A shade of brown...

 

[sxturbo]

As stated you need a primer, you will need to do at least 3 coats (be prepared to do more), sanding in between, use a roller or a sprayer

https://www.toolstation.com/leyland...-6UcKR_3ew7oIxix8PM-W94uDKiRaIARoCf3MQAvD_BwE

For a wood colour, you'd likely have to have it special mixed but you would need a sample of the colour you want for them to match it.

For a top coat you will want an acrylic paint, again spray or roll it. Spraying will provide the best finish, but you might have to do a bit of practicing before attacking the book case

How good it would look without the grain I couldn't say, antique oak would just look like a browny yellow, for example.

 

[johnny2007]

If you haven't sprayed before, do not attempt it.
It will come very dusty and rough with all those corners.

 

[Jupiter01]

use a roller

With the mini roller, which fitment should I use? I recall that there is a foam and "fluffy" type. Thanks

 

[sxturbo]

With the mini roller, which fitment should I use? I recall that there is a foam and "fluffy" type. Thanks

you would be best using a "test" piece before starting any work, and try various rollers to ensure the finish you want.

personally i cant stand foam rollers, i dont think they work well with water based paints, but i'm not a pro and its down to individual choice and technique

 

[Jupiter01]

Should I fill/caulk joins in the bookshelf before or after the priming?
Also, do I need to keep sanding to a minimum with MDF?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[sxturbo]

Should I fill/caulk joins in the bookshelf before or after the priming?
Also, do I need to keep sanding to a minimum with MDF?

Thanks for all your help.

only sand between each coat of paint, it just wants a light sanding to take the high points off and to gain a smooth finish.

if filling joints, do it before painting

 

[johnny2007]

Don't caulk it