Can I use this primer for softwood ?

[shd1970]

Hi all

Can anyone confirm if I can use this mdf primer on softwood please or do I need something else ?
For context, I have made a wooden frame to house a sink in it to use in my garage and was hoping to it

Is it suitable please ?

 

[opps]

It should be absolutely fine. It just works out more expensive than the regular waterbased primer.

I used to specialise in painting MDF cabinets. Most of the time I used to use the regular LT acrylic primer because it was a dream to sand. I did however use the Dulux Trade MDF primer for while, on both the timber mouldings and MDF. I only went back to the regular primer because it was easier to sand (didn't clog the abrasives}, was cheaper and easier to wash off the brushes.

 

[shd1970]

It should be absolutely fine. It just works out more expensive than the regular waterbased primer.

I used to specialise in painting MDF cabinets. Most of the time I used to use the regular LT acrylic primer because it was a dream to sand. I did however use the Dulux Trade MDF primer for while, on both the timber mouldings and MDF. I only went back to the regular primer because it was easier to sand (didn't clog the abrasives}, was cheaper and easier to wash off the brushes.

Thanks for the reply opps and confirmation !
I likely have no other use for the mdf primer hence wanting to know if I can use rather than it just gathering dust in the garage

Is there anything materially different in the ingredients of mdf primer vs traditional wood primer or are they both much of a muchness ?

 

[opps]

Thanks for the reply opps and confirmation !
I likely have no other use for the mdf primer hence wanting to know if I can use rather than it just gathering dust in the garage

Is there anything materially different in the ingredients of mdf primer vs traditional wood primer or are they both much of a muchness ?

I know nothing about the differences in chemical make up. I suspect that the MDF version may have more solids than the cheaper regular stuff, meaning that it obliterates the dark MDF colour more effectively.

Frankly, that was never a plus point for me given how extensively I would sand the MDF after the primer coat, eg



I would almost sand the primer away. I used the primer to give me a visual aide to know when the MDF was finally flat. Contrary to popular belief, MDF is not perfectly flat. It has parallel score marks in addition to the raised grain when the waterbased primer is applied.

 

[shd1970]

I know nothing about the differences in chemical make up. I suspect that the MDF version may have more solids than the cheaper regular stuff, meaning that it obliterates the dark MDF colour more effectively.

Frankly, that was never a plus point for me given how extensively I would sand the MDF after the primer coat, eg

View attachment 285504

I would almost sand the primer away. I used the primer to give me a visual aide to know when the MDF was finally flat. Contrary to popular belief, MDF is not perfectly flat. It has parallel score marks in addition to the raised grain when the waterbased primer is applied.

View attachment 285506

Thanks again opps

One final question if I may

If I lightly sand and then apply a 2nd coat of primer, how important is a coat of undercoat or can I gloss straight away ?

 

[opps]

Thanks again opps

One final question if I may

If I lightly sand and then apply a 2nd coat of primer, how important is a coat of undercoat or can I gloss straight away ?

The second coat acts as a undercoat.

I don't use an undercoat. After the coat of acrylic primer is sanded I just apply 2 coats of oil based eggshell but gloss is a different beast.

I only ever had one customer ask for a gloss finish on the cabinets. Given that oil based gloss has little in the way of obliterating the dark MDF, In that case, I did apply a coat of oil based undercoat before applying the oil based gloss.

 

[shd1970]

The second coat acts as a undercoat.

I don't use an undercoat. After the coat of acrylic primer is sanded I just apply 2 coats of oil based eggshell but gloss is a different beast.

I only ever had one customer ask for a gloss finish on the cabinets. Given that oil based gloss has little in the way of obliterating the dark MDF, In that case, I did apply a coat of oil based undercoat before applying the oil based gloss.

It’s simply a wooden frame to house a sink in my garage to wash the dog and use for general garage cleaning activities (brushes, my home brew and anything that the wife doesn’t want me using the main kitchen sink for) so I’m just wanting a finish that would be sensible where it might get wet

Would that be gloss or eggshell in your opinion ?

 

[opps]

It’s simply a wooden frame to house a sink in my garage to wash the dog and use for general garage cleaning activities (brushes, my home brew and anything that the wife doesn’t want me using the main kitchen sink for) so I’m just wanting a finish that would be sensible where it might get wet

Would that be gloss or eggshell in your opinion ?

If you are religious about washing down the surface, either will suffice but oil based gloss will be more durable. I am concerned that neither will be as durable as you might think though. Can you not purchase an off cut of kitchen worktop and plonk that on the MDF? BTW, I am working on the assumption that you fitting a surface mounted sink.

 

[shd1970]

the sink will pretty much hide the frame due to the stainless steel lip around the top so realistically, its only going to be occasional splashes and some water down the legs so really nothing to worry about. Its just a surface covering that can wiped down and repels water hence my thought just to gloss it and because i've already got a tin kicking around in the garage
Its an old industrial sink so would be too deep for a worktop and i've already made and primered the frame ready for a light sand with 240g before a 2nd coat of primer

 

[opps]

Shouldn't be an issue then but it would be advisable to hit the end grain of the MDF with extra coats of gloss (or primer/undercoat). That is the most porous part of the MDF.

 

[shd1970]

Shouldn't be an issue then but it would be advisable to hit the end grain of the MDF with extra coats of gloss (or primer/undercoat). That is the most porous part of the MDF.

It’s not mdf it’s traditional softwood opps
It was just that I used mdf primer if you recall

 

[opps]

It’s not mdf it’s traditional softwood opps
It was just that I used mdf primer if you recall

my bad, thanks, senior moment... and a few pints of Kronenbourg.

 

[shd1970]

my bad, thanks, senior moment... and a few pints of Kronenbourg.

Hahaha !
No worries at all opps

Chin chin