I recently built a layout table for a friend who is in a clothing design program at an art college. By design, it was intended to be heavy-duty and rustic….we used a premium grade of 2×4 to fabricate legs and stretchers, and cut the 4’x6′ top out of 3/4″ MDF. It makes a nice flat, stable top for her to lay out fabric for pattern work and cutting out pieces for sewing.
She likes the unfinished look of both the 2×4 legs and the MDF top, but we are concerned that any spills on the MDF will swell the fibers and leave noticeable marks on the surface. I know that MDF is very “paintable”……but does anyone have any experience in sealing the surface to prevent damage from spills or wet rings from cold drinks set on the surface? Perhaps something that would not greatly change the look that we get from the unfinished MDF??? Water-based or oil or shellac-based??
Thanks,
RogerTennessee
Replies
Never have put a finish on MDF except for paint. I would guess any good polyurethane, a flat or low luster, would be the way to go. Test a piece first to see how it looks. You might want to try a water based poly, either way it's going to darken the MDF a bit.
MDF looks fine either stained and clearcoated or just clear coated....lots of architects and designers are speccing that finish. If I was you though I'd take it in to a shop and have it sprayed with a two-part catalyzed lacquer finish.....will look a lot better than any brushed finish unless you know how to rub the finish out.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
either way it's going to darken the MDF a bit
it darkens it a lot, not just a bit.
Oil based poly would be my choice. Water based will raise the surface--remember water and mdf don't mix.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.