How do you get a good finish on an MDF routered edge?

Question

Making MDF cabinets at the moment to paint but the painted edges never appear smooth, they always have a rough feel to them, any trade secrets most apprciated.

Answer 1

I use polyurethane adhesive dispensed from a caulk gun and applied with a water wetted rag. That seals off and glues the open pored and vulnerable edge grain against future checking and discoloration as the wood ages. I dont use wood filler as most wood fillers do not bind the edge grain together and eventually your edge will expose the wood grain as visible thru the paint. This is also an excellent way to seal grain edges on outside boards which are weather exposed.

A really sharp router blade gives an edge on cross grain nearly equal to that of straight grain cuts. What you need to do is hone your router bit in the direction of the sharp cutting edge, never From the cutting edge that will procuce a very sharp cutter. That is true of drills, knives and the like also.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Mdf Edging

Answer 4

apply normal carpenter's glue or a 1 lb. cut of shellac to the fuzzy edge of the MDF. Once that has dried, sand the surface until it is smooth. You may need to apply the glue or shellac 2-3 times, depending on how hard you sand it. The face of MDF has extra glue that bonds the fibers together so that it is smooth. When you cut the MDF you expose the areas that just have enough glue to stay together structurally. Because the fibers are not saturated with glue (which would make it even heavier) they will get fuzzy no matter how sharp your tools are. The only solution is to "glue" the fibers together at the exposed edge then sand it smooth.

Answer 5

2

Answer 6

PVA sealer/primer, aka vinyl sealer. If you are purchasing your chemicals from a commercial supplier, they will have this item.
Spray the edges, allow them to dry, LIGHTLY sand, and respray. This provides a smooth surface that paint adheres to easily. Ive used a lot of different products in the workplace, and this works.

I would avoid using anything like cutting glue with water -- it will make the mdf fibers swell up.

Have Fun

Answer 7

First - make sure you are using a carbide bit (Spend the extra money- It's worth it) - This will insure you start with smoothest surface you will get after routing . Then proceed as someone said above , coat with a good wood glue or tSanding Sealer (Zinsser Bull's Eye is a 3lb cut)) , then sand and paint.

Answer 8

Sand it 100 grit then 150 then 320 then HOOVER the surface Then apply wood filler then repeat 150 320, filler primer (type of spray filler auto store product Halfords etc) and final finish ........a volia

Like a baby''s bum!

Answer 9

I use Minwax stainable (latex) wood filler and smooth it on using a damp cloth.

Sand lightly (don't sand through the filler) with a fine sandpaper (120 grit+) and prime with pigmented shellac (I prefer Zinsser brand).

You won't be able to tell the edges from the flat surfaces.

Answer 10

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