Ken[N]

Painting 101

Can someone tell me the exact steps to spray paint MDF a super glossy black? I want a piano black-like finish. Or can you direct me to a thread? I am planning to build my own flexy rack.

Thanks in advance.

Ken

PaulT

Ken,
You might try a search in the DIY Forum

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Wayne A. Pflughaupt

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Cees Alons

Ken,

The thread is now residing in the DIY forum.

Good luck!


Cees

Jason Dalton

Try this website if you want a step by step explanation:

http://www.pc-workshop.net/articles/...int101-1.shtml

this is on a computer case but the process is similar. I'm finishing a subwoofer right now using pretty much this process. Its a lot of work but (i hope) its worth it.

A few things that I will recommend are:

1.) Use a 50/50 yellow glue/water mixture to seal the MDF. I've tried sanding sealer before, it doesn't work well on the end grain. Put it on evenly with any brush (cheap foam ones are fine). Make sure you have any gaps filled with wood filler that has been sanded down before sealing. After sealing you need to get it really flat. I'd do any serious leveling with 60 grit BEFORE you seal, after the seal is dry do 150->220->400, then prime. You're going to have to put on several layers of primer, be patient. By the time you're done priming you should be able to wet sand it down with 400 grit until its totally flat without going through the primer. If you go through, its OK, prime that area and sand again.

2.) Use Duplicolor lacquer when you paint, they have a different nozzle than the plasti-kote brand, which is listed in the article. I used both and the Duplicolor is MUCH, MUCH easier to use and puts on a much more even coat with less overspray. Remember, the better job you do of getting the primer flat the less paint you will have to use. Primer is cheaper, make you're mistakes before painting. Once you can sand the paint layer totally smooth with a 600 wet sand you'll be in good shape.

Otherwise follow the directions in the article.

Ken[N]

Thanks guys!!!

Sorry about the mis-post on the accessories section. My bad.

I am a newb when it comes to painting. I will start on my project this weekend and have some pics hopefully when its done. Thanks again!! Any more advice??

Ken

Jason Dalton

Advice?? Take your time and do it right the first time.

Good luck!

Dave Poehlman

paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint

repeat

Hank Frankenberg

OR, if you don't want to invest those hours of labor, you can order WilsonArt laminate that emulates a piano-gloss lacquer finish. Check with your local WilsonArt distributor. Formica may have the same thing also. Specify their 01 gloss finish:
http://www.wilsonart.com/design/finish/finishes.asp

Dan, regarding your following post,I know about the rounded edges thing - always round over my cabinet front vertical edges. My point here is that not many people are willing to put in the hours it takes to get a perfect surface and paint job that piano gloss lacquer finish requires.

Dan Hine

While that is true, Hank, the most impressive part of a piano black finish is the wonderfully seemless mirror shine across ROUNDED edges. VERY hard to do that with a laminate.


- Dan

I strive to be the man my dog thinks I am.