Spray - is it worth it

[Dylan123]

I know this is a matter of opinion but thoughts welcome.

I have an MDF media wall install and I have a quote for priming and a professional spray paint job. It’s quite pricey.

Alternative is I can prime and paint myself with a brush.

I’ve tried to find an answer online but various views.

Would a professional spray paint job be noticeably better and more durable? Is it generally worth the extra cash?

Thoughts

 

[foxhole]

My kitchen units are spray painted , you can hit them with a hammer without marking .
DIY I would use a mohair roller for best finish . Seal cut edges with pva.

 

[opps]

My kitchen units are spray painted , you can hit them with a hammer without marking .
DIY I would use a mohair roller for best finish . Seal cut edges with pva.

For the love of mike, do not prime mdf edges with PVA.

Sorry mate, the edge of MDF is very fibrous. If you use PVA you will not be able to sand it flat. PVA does not like being sanded.

Back in the olden days when I worked for a cabinet maker, we used a two pack product from Morrells which required a lot of sanding back. They seem to have since discontinued it. The other cabinet makers I know now use waterbased primer and sand the sawn edges flat, I then hit it with 2 pack spray or prime the rest in water based and then oil based (depends on whether they want a spray or hand finish). The primer helps to harden the fibres, but unlike PVA, I sands back without clogging the paper or ripping off the surface.

 

[opps]

I know this is a matter of opinion but thoughts welcome.

I have an MDF media wall install and I have a quote for priming and a professional spray paint job. It’s quite pricey.

Alternative is I can prime and paint myself with a brush.

I’ve tried to find an answer online but various views.

Would a professional spray paint job be noticeably better and more durable? Is it generally worth the extra cash?

Thoughts

What are they planning to spray it with?

The hardest finish I have worked with is 2K. It is not suitable for spraying in occupied properties because of the isocyanates in the paint. There are one part cellulose paints that can be used in homes (they too stink though). Both are far more durable than any water or oil based paint.

Prior to painting, MDF needs a thorough sanding with (approx) 220 grit paper. The factory finish has very slight grooves left over by the drum sanders that they use.




The above is MDF with a coat of primer which has been sanded flat. You can see the grooves.

The amount you pay will be dependant on the quality of finish that you want. In theory, the sprayed finish will be the highest quality of finish, but there will be a lot of time spent masking and sheeting up.

Depending on the paint used, it might be the more durable option, and may cure the fastest. Given the rapid curing time, it might be the case that it could be completed in one day. You will may however be paying for someone to sit around for a couple of hours between coats.

That said, I have seen companies that literally just spray and do no sanding beforehand or in between coats. I have seen doors that look OK on onside and the other face is covered in dry spray.