can you varnish mdf?

Question

or stain it?

if yes can i apply straight to it or do i have to do any preparation?

Answer 1

i used to work with mdf a lot,and take my advice,make sure its sanded properly first and foremost. then apply white spirit with a cloth all over and leave for an hour or so to penetrate and seal it. apply a coat of varnish,and let it dry.then rub down with grade 00 wire wool. repeat this a couple of times and you will have transformed it into a work of art,and as smooth as a peach. Ive made furniture out of this cheap material,and turned it into really classy stuff,a very versatile and much scorned at material. another tip mate...when cutting and sanding wear a good mask in a well ventilated area,mdf is toxic,and a friend of mine died from it from not doing as Ive just advised.

Answer 2

Yes you can. I have been a cabinet maker and wood finisher for 24+ years and I think MDF looks awesome in the right application. Sand it lightly with 320 grit paper,a random orbital sander will work best.Be carful to move the sander slowly or you will have "swirls " . If you have access to spray equipment , that will be your best bet. Otherwise a good quality varnishing brush is what I would recomend. General Finishes Arm-R-Seal or Sealacell would work well Or Zinsser Bulls Eye Shellac is another good choice. I have used all three of theses products with great results. Three coats is best and let them dry well before recoating and sand lightly with 320 grit between coats. I like just clear-coating MDF because it has the look of leather when its done well, and you can get a glass smooth finish. You can save money on exspensive sealers (for selaing the edges) by using good old elmers glue because it dries clear. Just brush it on, let it fully dry, and sand it smooth. this step may take a couple of coats.

Answer 3

It would have helped to know what you intend on doing with your MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard).

Regardless, assuming that your MDF can accept varnish (i.e., it is not prefinished/laquered), then refer to the links, below, none of which are great, but it may give you a hint or two. You should contact your local lumber supply contractor or warehouse retailer for further information; most will tell you for free.

Answer 4

Yes you most definitely can. Sand it well and try not to leave the edges exposed... use a wood trim if possible. It will be easier to get good coverage with darker colors. I do use MDF from time to time for frames to install glass in doors. I do not use it often but some situations require it. In such situations I like to use Solid Color Stain. You can get it in most places that carry paint. I use ACE hardware and they have a line of Solid Color Stain that is used to stain fascia boards under house's roof line. Think of it as stain with solid pigment in it. You can prime the MDF and than apply the stain. It takes time if you really want to make it look like wood, I usually use 2 to 3 shades of the stain and give the finish an irregular look, otherwise it will look too much like paint
Good Luck!

Answer 5

You can varnish most timbers as long as its sanded down well.
Also wax protects most wood also.
Why do you wish to varnish medium density fibreboard?
consider using a stainer if its only for effect maybe?

Answer 6

yes you can give it a light sand with a fine sand paper and varnish away.do the same if staining but it will stay matt,so varnish afterwards to help protect if going to use anywhere near to water.hope this helps.

Answer 7

Yes but first. Sand any edges, brush off the dust, paint the edges with pva to seal before varnishing

Answer 8

yes thks 4 2 points

Answer 9

yes and yes they used to varnish wallpaper years ago

Answer 10

Yes you can but it doesn't look good, it was designed for painting.