Painting the MDF

[Big Man Black T-Shirt(Patrick)]

I'm new here so hello everyone. I just ordered my M-3 today, unfinished, and am interested in sealing and painting it.

I read in the Tips thread all you guys had to say about how you painted yours, and it seems there are several different methods.

I'm looking for the easiest method, it doesn't have to be pretty, I mainly want to protect the MDF from swelling because I live in middle TN and summers here are humid. Plus my garage isn't sealed very well and when it rains, no rain comes in, but it gets really damp sometimes.

So, easiest method to seal and paint. Spray primer and then spray paint it or is using shellac a must?

I really don't want to screw up the MDF and have it warp and buckle like some of you said it might. (Although I think you said that usually happens when you finish one side and not the other.)

Thanks!

[mrbigj]

Mar 22, 2017 22:03:08 GMT Big Man Black T-Shirt(Patrick) said:

I'm new here so hello everyone. I just ordered my M-3 today, unfinished, and am interested in sealing and painting it.

I read in the Tips thread all you guys had to say about how you painted yours, and it seems there are several different methods.

I'm looking for the easiest method, it doesn't have to be pretty, I mainly want to protect the MDF from swelling because I live in middle TN and summers here are humid. Plus my garage isn't sealed very well and when it rains, no rain comes in, but it gets really damp sometimes.

So, easiest method to seal and paint. Spray primer and then spray paint it or is using shellac a must?

I really don't want to screw up the MDF and have it warp and buckle like some of you said it might. (Although I think you said that usually happens when you finish one side and not the other.)

Thanks!

Clark, welcome! I also ordered mine unfinished. I haven't painted mine yet, but I was thinking a paint on, or spray on, bed liner type of material. There are one or two others that have done that as well. I'm not sure if you have to finish over the top of that or not. Hopefully they will chime in here shortly.

Again, welcome!

Jason

[mp4doggie]

I also ordered mine unpainted . To protect the MDF I used titebond 3 and water ( check google I did not really measure ) but that mixture is what I used to treat the MDF cause I plan to mill me some aluminium. I have heard of using drywall spackle also . What ever you do make sure you do it on a test piece first

[Derek the Admin]

Watered down wood glue will help seal the edges after a couple coats. Bin primer works well.

[aforww]

I was (I think the only one?) That did the Bedliner route. I chose it for being chemical resistant, water resistant, and easy coverage. Plus, the texture fit my theme lol. I sealed the edges, and holes with thin CA glue prior to painting.

[davel]

I painted mine with rust-oleum painters touch paint. I used a roller and a brush to paint both sides and edges before assembling it. If you get impatient (like I did) you can assemble the z carriage first because it does not require any of the mdf parts.

[Big Man Black T-Shirt(Patrick)]

So what I'm thinking is sealing the edges with watered down Gorilla Wood Glue and then spraying the MDF all over with Herculiner Truck Bed Liner.

How much do I cut the wood glue with water? 50%?

Does the bed liner sound like it will be OK?

[aforww]

Mar 25, 2017 21:18:34 GMT Big Man Black T-Shirt(Patrick) said:

So what I'm thinking is sealing the edges with watered down Gorilla Wood Glue and then spraying the MDF all over with Herculiner Truck Bed Liner.

How much do I cut the wood glue with water? 50%?

Does the bed liner sound like it will be OK?

Sounds like a plan to me.

[Big Man Black T-Shirt(Patrick)]

OK, I've glue/sealed the edges, sanded all sides, and am now (finally!) ready to apply the truck bed liner spray.

Should I spray all sides of the MDF, including the sides that have the multiple grooves and holes where brackets and other things obviously attach?

I ask because if the grooves and holes are a snug fit for whatever goes there, the spray on bedliner is going to fill that in a bit and I might wind up having to chisel it back out in order to fit the various parts.

Does anyone have experience with this and can advise me?

Thanks!

[aforww]

Apr 14, 2017 22:04:51 GMT Big Man Black T-Shirt(Patrick) said:

OK, I've glue/sealed the edges, sanded all sides, and am now (finally!) ready to apply the truck bed liner spray.

Should I spray all sides of the MDF, including the sides that have the multiple grooves and holes where brackets and other things obviously attach?

I ask because if the grooves and holes are a snug fit for whatever goes there, the spray on bedliner is going to fill that in a bit and I might wind up having to chisel it back out in order to fit the various parts.

Does anyone have experience with this and can advise me?

Thanks!

You won't have any issues.

[Big Man Black T-Shirt(Patrick)]

Thanks!

[Derek the Admin]

Be sure to show it off when you get it painted!

[Big Man Black T-Shirt(Patrick)]

OK, I finally got the MDF sprayed with the bedliner and aside from my poor spraying and coverage skills, it turned out well.

I've included some photos of the MDF and also the assembled Z axis bearing plates just because I love taking photos of cool mechanical assemblies (and well laid out PCBs!)

I also highlight where the assembly manual calls for the two M4x12 screws to have M4 split-lock washers. However, after installing the bearing plates I was 2 washers short. I assumed that because the two screws were sitting atop the spring stud bracket that the washers weren't really needed, but they are called for in the manual so I noted it.

The assembly manual is nicely put together and assembly has been pretty smooth so far.

Now for the photos I promised...

Attachments:

[Derek the Admin]

Glad it's coming along. Sorry about those two lock washers. I too think you'll be okay as long as you just give it a check from time to time. Can't wait to see ya run it!

[gkr]

Hi clarkdv,

You might be able to find those split-lock washers in the hardware section @ HomeDepot.

In fact I know they carry them, but hopefully the one close to you will have it.

Otherwise, great paint/sealing job.

Regards