M.D.F

[grampa]

A cheap and cheerful way to use mdf for your cuttings, Coat the mdf with a Varnish stain, apply with a stiff brush in sweeping lines to give a grain effect, It soaks in to the wood and gives nice sharp corners........Paul

[Travis]

Very clever. Sounds like a quick and easy way to dress up MDF! Thanks for the tip. I think I'll use it next time I use MDF.

[wood-n-things]

Great tip. I'll have to give it a shot.

[Pixman]

One of the problems many people have is with the way MDF drinks paint. After a time your well painted surface goes patchy as it soaks into the MDF, especially on the edges. So here's another cheap and cheerful way of curing an MDF problem -- a cheap way of undercoating and priming. Squeeze some white PVA glue [i think its called Elmers Glue in the US] into a container. Now thin it with water until its like craft paint. Now paint it over the MDF surface with an extra coat around the edges. It should dry clear according to the label directions. Give it a light rub with fine paper 320 or 400 grit to give a 'tooth' for the paint, but don't worry about the edges. When its dry paint as required.

[ugsduck]

On the rare occassions that I use MDF I seal it with Johnsones Klear ("Future" in the USA). I have several bottles stocked as I use it for spraying onto plastic models, scratch models etc before paint and/or after adding decals (it takes the decals "into" the surface of the model. It is self levelling and dries fast with a sheen.

It can be applied with a flat brush but I usually spray it using a spare Airbrush nozzle that needs a good clean straight after using.

I havent had to restock lately but I understand it has been rebadged as "Pledge Multi-Surface Wax Floor polish".

[Christina]

Great tips everyone..........thanks for sharing them with us. I've not ever tried MDF, but might just have to give it a go. I really like learning new tips and techniques for using alternative materials or even for finishing woods. Thanks so much.

Christina