We are using MDF as a desk surface in childrens rooms, what paint/varnish would give a hardwearing finish?

Answer 1

Use an MDF primer and then paint it with an eggshell.

Answer 2

Most any high quality oil based enamel. I have built MDF furniture and the finish always looks better if sprayed. Several light coats looks and wears better than one thick coat. You would need an air compressor and a cheap cup gun to spray the paint though. You can rent the air compressor for about $25 a day at a rental store, and buy the cup gun to keep for the next time for about $35. Be sure to clean the cup gun up well before you put it away. Spraying straight paint thinner through the gun works well. You can also brush the finish on, but the paint won't be as smooth. Also be sure to use a clear sanding sealer (dries quickly and is easy to sand to get a really smooth finish) before you paint. Some of the furniture I have built is over 12 years old, still in the kids rooms and looks almost like the day I built it. One side note, kids always like bright colors! Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I have done this very same job, first clean the surface with a rag with white spirit on it, not to much just enough to get the dust off, next a good coat of clear or stained POLYURETHANE varnish, (This is by far the easiest to use and shouldn't be harm-full to the kids), next when it is dry lightly rub down with a fine sand paper and remove all of the dust and coat again, the more coats you do the harder it is, try not to get the varnish wet for a couple of days and it will be as hard as rock, you can give it an extra coat every now and then just to top it up, i think that this is the best way to finish MDF.

Answer 4

I think the only way really think about it isn't trying to find the barriers to people purchasing the product is more trying to update the packaging and make it look more modern and also getting the product out and in plain view next to the rest of the other products. Don't ferret it away in the part of the store next to the rest of the natural products most people don't go there! Put it right on the shelf next to the regular products with some sort of big red star on it or something. Not to mention that I'm not particularily crazy about the flavor of ginger, hops and clay in my toothepaste. What exactly does natural mean anyway? What is the industry standard definition of natual these days? Is it truly ALL natural or do you only need a certain percentage of ingredients to be natural to stamp that on your label? Kind of like how whole wheat bread only has to contain a small % of whole grains to be able to label it "whole wheat" and hike up the price. When I read Tom's ingredients I'm just as confused as when I read Crest or Colgates. Personally Poloxamer 335 and 407 doesn't have the ring of an "all natual" ingredient. In the end I would need a good reason NOT to use the other more traditional brands before I would consider switching.

Answer 5

Spar varnish will give a tough, long lasting finish.

I would prime it first, then put a couple of coats of this on...

Oh, and if you "really want a unique piece", you may do as my buddy did...

He routed the name of his daughter on his dresser, and then got some glitter, and mixed in the spar varnish. He then, layered the varnish in, and let it dry, until the layers were buit up to flush, then varnished the entire piece...

Really looked sharp and it was a keepsake for sure!

(You only need to do this about an 1/8 inch with a router, if you have one, or dremel tool)...

I wish you well...

Jesse

Answer 6

if you want to leave the mdf the color that it is then you can put urethane over it. i don't know if it will except a stain you can try that to see what happens, i have just urethane it when using in my garage and it looks alright. for a smooth paint finish first prime with bin primer and let dry. then coat with a good semigloss or high gloss paint. use a good quality foam roller to apply all coats and give at least 4 hrs between coats.

Answer 7

WARNING do not use yacht varnish it is toxic
alternative use none toxic paints a good
primmer and a gloss paint as it is used for children
by all means look at other varnishes but check the contains list

Answer 8

Gym Floor Finish

Answer 9

I used Kelley Moore industrial enamel to spray kitchen cabinets.
Very durable solvent based enamel hard as the hubs of hell and will not yellow in my lifetime. or you can use a good alkyd enamel with a little penitrol (good stuff) in it to help penetration and leveling brush marks to paint with roller, then "Bake it in the sun for a day or two, again hard and durable.

Answer 10

you could do both if you wish. use emulsion then when it's dry go over the it with a clear varnish. ronseal is good it does exactly what it says on the tin