Varnishing of MDF panels may be required in two cases. The first is when you need to protect a structure made of MDF, for example, a door or a furniture facade. The second - when you need to decorate products. How to choose and apply varnish for products made of MDF? What are the nuances of its use? What are the advantages of varnished MDF panels?
- The composition, advantages and purpose of the plates
- Why varnish
- How to cover fiberboards
- The working process
- Operating procedure
- Nuances
The composition, advantages and purpose of the plates
MDF is a wood fiber board. They are environmentally friendly material and have medium density. This material gained great popularity due to its characteristics and properties:
- MDF panels have a high level of moisture resistance. They do not deteriorate when exposed to moisture.
- Good resistance to high temperatures.
- Strength.
- Affordable price. This building material is much cheaper than natural wood.
- Resistance to fungi and microorganisms.
- Easy to care.
- The ability to make products of any shape.
- MDF can be coated with special varnishes, paints, enamels.
Mostly MDF panels are used in the furniture industry. Of these, office and home furniture, trade equipment, and doors are made. They are also used for the manufacture of facades, countertops, speakers and more.
to contents ↑Why varnish
Coating MDF panels with varnish is required quite often. Why? There are several reasons.
- The surface coated with varnish easily copes with an increase in ambient temperature. For example, on a varnished table made of MDF, you can put hot dishes.
- Using varnish, you can create various decorative effects. It can be gloss, a dull-silky surface, mother of pearl, etc. It is noteworthy that similar effects are used both for interior decoration and for exterior.
- High-quality varnishes will not make MDF panels less environmentally friendly.
- Coating significantly increases the life of the product.
There is one drawback. Varnished or painted structures / boards are more expensive than usual.
to contents ↑How to cover fiberboards
A special varnish is used for surface treatment. It helps create a smooth coating that is resistant to mechanical and chemical influences. The treated surface is glossy and matte. Gloss is the result of the use of varnish based on synthetic resins. The matte effect is provided by a water-based acrylic coating.
MDF varnish is a two-component substance. Before starting work, a hardener must be added to the base. Usually this varnish is odorless.
The prepared working mixture should be used within two to three hours. The coating can be applied using a spray gun or a regular brush.
Like all finishing materials, varnish for MDF panels has its advantages and disadvantages. In addition to having good moisture and heat resistance, it protects the material from the appearance of fungus and harmful microorganisms, creating a dense film on the surface of the plate. The lacquered surface is easy to clean, does not wear, and maintains a good appearance for a long time. Covering a product, for example, a door, with a varnish composition, it is possible to emphasize the texture of the base, to give a certain shade.
If the texture of a wooden product needs to be hidden or given a different color, it is often performed MDF painting.
The disadvantages of the varnish coating include its fire hazard, drying time, a fairly high price and increased consumption.
When choosing a varnish for coating MDF panels, you need to pay attention to some parameters:
- drying time should not exceed 72 hours;
- drying time from dust - no more than 15 minutes;
- operating temperature - from +5 to +25 degrees;
- in the composition of the varnish of volatile substances should be no more than 20%;
- consumption not more than 0.5 kg per square meter.
The working process
Before you start varnishing MDF structures, you need to prepare tools and additional materials:
- Tassels. It will take 2 pieces. One (narrow), with which you can paint over small details, and the second (medium) - for coloring the remaining parts. An alternative is a roller or airbrush.
- Container for mixing components.
- Drill with a special nozzle or construction mixer.
- Working capacity.
- If there is a need to put a picture or ornament on the door, you need to prepare adhesive tape, stencils and a sponge.
- Sandpaper.
- Gloves.
- Solvent.
It is advisable to close the workplace with paper and prepare in advance a stable stand for the doors.
to contents ↑Operating procedure
Before varnish you need to apply a coat of primer. What for? Firstly, the primer finally cleans the surface of dust and small debris. Secondly, it helps to avoid unnecessary consumption of the working mixture. Thirdly, improves the absorbent properties of the material. And, fourthly, it makes it possible to make the coloring more uniform. Also, thanks to the primer, you can detect slight damage to the door leaf.
The workflow consists of several stages:
- First you need to apply a primer coat;
- with putty to cover small cracks, scratches and chips;
- walk along the door surface with sandpaper;
- primer again;
- using a brush, apply varnish to the ends, lines of the picture and other uncomfortable places;
- with a brush, roller or spray gun to paint the main part of the door;
- if necessary, apply a second coat of varnish.
Nuances
- Do not skip the process of surface preparation, in particular, grinding.
- Before work, the mixture of varnish and hardener must be filtered. It is advisable to use the composition within 3 hours.
- If a spray gun is used, the pressure should be 3 atm. And the nozzle size should be no more than 2 mm.
- Dry each layer at a temperature of about 35 ° C. On average, the varnish dries for 5-6 hours.
The application of varnish on the MDF panel has a lot of advantages. It increases strength and extends the life of the product. Varnish also plays a decorative function: it can make the surface matte or glossy, give it the desired shade.
