We may bring in revenue from the products available on this page and take part in affiliate program . see More ›

Medium - tightness fibreboard ( MDF ) is ordinarily used in furniture and rest home grammatical construction these day . An cheap , engineered wood material , MDF is a complex of sawdust and resins , combine together in a high - estrus , high - pressure process . Typically it comes in 4 - foot × 8 - foot plane and smaller project - sized gameboard ranging from 1/4 in to 1 column inch chummy , much like boards of plyboard .

But unlike plywood , which is manufactured from many thin sheet of wood veneering , MDF is free of the knots , ring , and texture of real forest . The result ? A writing that is very easy to abridge , and therefore often used for such upscale applications as customs clipping work and cabinetry . Plus , its hard , smooth open takes veneer and paint very well .

Woman in navy polo shirt uses a paint roller to paint a sheet of MDF green.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Tools & Materials

Bobvila.com may garner a commission from purchase made through these links .

Step 1: Protect the work area—and yourself.

If you ’re paint a firearm of furniture , remove any hardware and put it aside until you ’re done painting and varnish the workpiece . Then protect the work region with drop curtain cloths to make cleanup position well-to-do . MDFproduces a heap of rubble when sanded , and the fine particles can nark heart and lung , so be sure to outwear protective eyewear and a slopped - fitting debris masque .

Step 2: Prepare the MDF for painting.

Whether your MDF project has a manufacturing plant edge or has been tradition root , the sharpness must be seal to admit paint in a way that matches the smoother expression of the material . Seal the bound by run a generous pelage of filler over them with your finger . Once it has altogether dried , sand edge smooth   with 220 - grit emery paper . Seal any scratches on the boldness of the MDF with filler as well , as any mars or scratches will be sorely obvious once painted . Sand the entire piece with 220 - gumption emery paper , then wipe it all down with tacking cloth to take fine junk and any remaining shit or junk .

Step 3: Prime the MDF.

Prime the MDF with a solvent - based primer , such asZinsserorKILZ . Avoid body of water - based primer , as it may   cause the wood fibers to tumefy , resulting in a open that appears to have a raised grain ( no matter how much effort you put into sanding ) . habituate a brush , roller , or spray gun to apply the primer — whichever is appropriate for the project .

Step 4: Paint the MDF.

you may expend   your preferred paint on primed MDF , and you may put on the pigment finish up with your preferable applier , be it a   skirmish , crimper , or spray gun — whichever honest suits the project . Once the first coat of paint feel   dry to the touch modality , assess if your work need a 2d pelage . If you spot any patchiness , cover the entire MDF project with another layer of pigment .

Step 5: Seal the MDF.

Allow paint to dry good . Then , utilize a sealer such as polyurethan , lacquer , or wax , if you anticipate your MDF project to get daily usance . The sealant will help preserve your paint job . For example , painted cabinet doors could benefit from an extra layer of security from wearing and tear ; MDF pennant molding , on the other hand , will be out of reach and therefore in all likelihood wo n’t need a sealer .

Step 6: Replace the hardware.

When the project is completely dry , replace any hardware you may have remove and step back to admire your work . After a coat of colour , MDF will look just like any other paint Sir Henry Wood . In fact , DIYers can make tradition trimness , wainscoting , or furniture partly with MDF and partly with wood , and once painted , the final piece will blend seamlessly together .

This Is the class for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . memorize why we conceive this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to quell on budget .

Materials needed for painting MDF spread out on a table, including gloves, primer, paint, and more.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman prepares to lay a large piece of MDF onto a work table covered in plastic sheeting.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman wearing work gloves sands the edges of an MDF board with a sanding block.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman uses a small paint roller to apply primer to a sheet of MDF on a sawhorse.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman uses small paint roller to apply green paint to a sheet of primed MDF.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman uses a paint brush to apply a coat of polyurethane to a piece of MDF that’s painted green.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Article image