Do I need to put on a pre-stain conditioner for MDF?

Question

I just stained a piece of furniture, and a small part of it is MDF, and while you can't see much of that, it says it can be stained.

I used this product on the rest of the softwood spruce:

http://minwax.com/products/woodprep/prestain.cfm

And then I stained it with this:

http://minwax.com/products/woodstain/woodfinish.cfm

Now I'm wondering, should I put on pre-stain conditioner for the MDF as well or skip that and just stain.....? What sort of process should I take in this?

Answer 1

Keep in mind with MDF. That there is no Grain So you will just end up with a Solid Color. For example if you have real wood in other parts of you project the Stain will accent the grains beautifully where as the MDF will a Dark Solid Color (Kind of like Leather)

Also keep in mind that the ends of MDF are very porous and will absorb like a sponge if you don't seal the edges. The easiest and least expensive way is to mix some wood glue with water.I don't have the ratio. But basically you want it thin enough to paint it on smoothly but not to runny either. If I can help with anything else please don't hesitate Tyson Lindsay

Answer 2

Pre Stain Conditioner

Answer 3

You don't need to pre-stain the mdf but since you are doing the rest of the project why not just do it . Can't hurt . It might not suck into the mdf as much and as for the stain it is all going to depend the type you use .Oil base, water base or jell.
Why not first try on some scrap pieces ?

Answer 4

go ahead and pre stain the mdf although no matter if you do or you don't, it will stain alot darker then the vener..

Answer 5

Your question cannot be answered unless you state whether there is a finish on the cabinets, or whether they are bare wood. If there is ANY type of finish, any "pre-stain" product will not penetrate, and is a waste of money. If there is a finish, the ENTIRE finish must be removed for the "pre-stain" treatment to work.

Answer 6

dont waste your time staining it. to get a quality finish use real wood trim. mdf has no grain and looks bad when the joints are stained and visiable...