Often, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, or even all the furniture that has served us for many years, no longer meets the changed needs. They become unfashionable, do not match the color of new tiles or wallpaper, become boring and simply not pleasing. Of course, you can buy new ones, but not everyone is ready to spend a considerable amount on this. And old things, although not fashionable, familiar and comfortable, often have pleasant memories associated with them.
The best way out is to repaint them a different color. If successful, familiar things will not just get a second life, but will turn into a real element of the author’s design.
MDF boards of different shades
Is it possible to paint MDF furniture at home, how to paint MDF furniture at home, how to repaint MDF furniture with your own hands and what is needed for this - we will tell you below.
Necessary materials
Materials and tools for painting MDF furniture
In order to paint MDF furniture at home, you will need:
- dye;
- primer;
- putty;
- solvent corresponding to the selected paint;
- masking tape;
- covering film.
Depending on the chosen painting method, you will need the following tools:
- sandpaper, mesh and sponge with different grain sizes;
- brushes, rollers, spray gun;
- narrow and wide spatula;
- stationery or construction knife;
- Screwdriver Set;
- protective gloves, glasses, respirator;
- clean rags.
You will also need patience and a firm intention to create a miracle.
Tools for painting furniture
Advantages and disadvantages of MDF
Like any other material, painted MDF has its pros and cons. But it is worth noting that negative qualities are quite controversial, since they can very easily be turned into advantages. The advantages of painted MDF are so obvious that when described they look like praise. This is absolutely not true, so it’s worth purchasing a kitchen furniture set to see from your own experience the versatility of the material from which it is made.
Advantages
Kitchens made from painted MDF are presented in furniture showrooms in a wide variety of colors and many different shades. There is no such richness of colors among other materials. The most demanding owner will be able to satisfy his desires by designing kitchen furniture in accordance with a certain style. If it happens that the coveted color is not available, then custom-made kitchen facades, photos of which can be seen in large quantities on the website, will certainly satisfy the taste of the most picky designer.
You can paint absolutely any shape and configuration
MDF kitchens are made from natural materials and are therefore environmentally friendly. This essential quality is especially valuable in the kitchen, where people prepare and eat food. Harmful chemical compounds negatively affect the health of the housewife, who is forced to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Under the influence of temperature changes and fumes from cooking, these dangerous substances can cause irreparable harm to children and the elderly. That is why MDF kitchens are the right choice for everyone who cares about the health of their loved ones and protects their own.
Painted MDF facades are absolutely not susceptible to rot and mold, they do not react to temperature changes and are not afraid of high humidity. They also do not absorb specific odors that appear during the preparation of various dishes. Kitchen furniture made of painted MDF will never be wet from excessive wetting during washing. At the same time, everyone understands that the kitchen is a place subject to constant pollution, and therefore needs regular and thorough care. This material is very easy to handle, it can be washed without much effort and remains in this condition for a long time.
Another undeniable advantage is that restoration of painted MDF facades is possible at home.
You can also order this service at a furniture showroom. A kitchen made from such high-quality material will last for decades without losing its aesthetic and functional qualities.
Flaws
The production of painted MDF requires significant costs and high-quality equipment, so these products are expensive. If you really don’t have enough money, you can use an analogue - chipboard, which is much cheaper and simpler. However, if refusing to purchase only implies a desire to save money, this is absolutely not worth doing. A kitchen set made of painted MDF will, over time, fully recoup all costs and meet all expectations. When other furniture has long been thrown into a landfill, this set will be in no way inferior to a new one. To do this, you just need to carefully care for the furniture and do not use harsh abrasive cleaners that can damage the surface.
Even the smallest defect in the paintwork can ruin the appearance of the entire headset
Let's get started
Degreasing the treated coating
It is necessary to wash the parts to be painted well with a sponge soaked in vodka with the addition of detergent to remove dirt and grease. Remove the facades from the body. Remove all handles, glass and curtains. Seal cracks and chips. Any wood putty will be suitable for filling cracks.
Wood putty is needed if, after sanding, chips form on the surface of the part
Acrylic is preferred, because it is easy to apply, dries quickly and is easy to process. For plastic and acrylic coatings, it is better to use automotive putty. Narrow cracks are cut with the blunt side of a knife before applying putty. Putty is applied to the chipped areas “with a reserve”, in layers no thicker than 1 mm. Each new layer is applied after the previous one has cured.
Sanding MDF before painting
Elements are carefully polished. Sanding removes excess putty and gives the surface the roughness necessary for better adhesion to the future coating. For sanding we use sandpaper with a grit of 150-180.
Sanding the MDF surface using a surface sander
The putty chips are given the desired shape. It is better to use an abrasive mesh, as it clogs less. In hard-to-reach and embossed places it is convenient to use an abrasive sponge. Sanded facades are thoroughly cleaned of dust with a clean brush and vacuum cleaner.
The primer is the main character
Wood primer sample
This is not an exaggeration. Correctly selected primer not only provides reliable adhesion to the surface being painted, but also strengthens it, fills minor defects, prevents pile from rising and reduces absorbency, significantly reducing the consumption of the paint composition.
We prime the prepared areas of furniture
The most commonly used are two-component polyurethane and water-dispersed primer compositions. Water-based primers are not recommended to be applied over polyurethane and nitrocellulose primers, and polyester paints and varnishes are not recommended to be applied over them. There are no such restrictions for polyurethane primers. When choosing a primer, it is advisable to consult with a consultant at a hardware store.
Applying primer to the prepared surface
The primer must be applied in a clean, well-ventilated area in several stages. First, you need to prime the ends and relief parts of the elements, and then the entire element.
Applying primer with a pneumatic sprayer
After polymerization of the first layer, the product is cleaned of raised wood fibers and other small defects with an abrasive mesh or sponge with a grain size of 220-240.
Small roughness on the surface of MDF or “wood pile”
The polished surface is thoroughly cleaned of dust and primed a second time. Before applying the topcoat, re-sanding with 280-300 grit is required.
Matte kitchen in the interior
You can use matte surfaces in the kitchen interior in various ways. We have prepared for you a selection of photographs that will show the most successful design techniques.
For example, for a small kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building, a set completely devoid of shine is unlikely to be suitable: you still want to visually enlarge the space. In this case, we recommend that you choose a glossy kitchen and add matte finish with an apron. Usually this element gets dirty almost more than the countertop, and this technique will make caring for it much easier.
Matte kitchens look very impressive in rooms with glossy floors. This way you can make the room taller, and the contrast will give the interior laconicism and a unique style.
The use of combined headsets is also justified. In this case, the bottom of the kitchen is made matte and the top is glossy. We recommend this technique for small kitchens where you want to add volume. Shiny cabinets will make the room visually larger, and the work surface will be easy to clean.
By the way: Such kitchens look very stylish if contrast is achieved not only through textures, but also through the correct selection of colors. You can use two shades that are close in tone, or diametrically opposite ones. The choice is yours!
Sometimes designers go further and combine different textures on one plane. The decision is quite bold, however, definitely worthy of attention.
Sometimes a matte kitchen is decorated with a glossy countertop. In this case, we recommend that you be extremely careful with the materials: check that they are durable, environmentally friendly, resistant to heat and mechanical damage. Otherwise, there is a risk that you will have to change the entire headset.
Idea: If you have an island in your kitchen, give it a high-gloss countertop while leaving the rest of the countertops matte.
A good solution for a matte kitchen would be lighting. Firstly, it will help make the room larger - an effect that matte usually hides. Secondly, additional lighting above the work surface has never hurt anyone. In addition, unlike a glossy finish, a matte finish will not glare, which allows you to use a wide range of design solutions and make the lighting brighter.
Stylish option: Complement the matte facades with a glass apron, which is illuminated from the inside with LED strips. Expensive, but the effect is worth it.
The most important stage is painting
Painting MDF panels using a spray gun
The best results are obtained by painting with a spray gun (spray gun), but not every home craftsman has the necessary equipment at his disposal. You can also use paint in aerosol cans. The coating applied by spraying is highly uniform and has an ideal appearance. The difficulties of this method include the need to have a separate room, which you don’t mind painting at the same time.
Paint can be applied with a brush or rollers
If there is no such room, it is better to paint with a brush or roller with fine bristles. When purchasing brushes and rollers, be sure to consult with the seller whether they are suitable for the selected type of paint composition.
The paint must be applied strictly in one direction, usually in two layers. The second layer is applied only after the previous one has completely dried. It is advisable to place facades to be painted horizontally. Work must be carried out at a temperature of at least 15 degrees in a well-ventilated area, but drafts must be avoided. Be sure to use a respirator, protective gloves and goggles. Cover with film anything that does not need painting at all.
Varnish is used for finishing wooden surfaces
If a speck or random insect gets on a freshly painted surface, remove it with the sharp tip of a knife. If, after drying, a defect remains in this place, carefully sand it with abrasive paper and touch up with a cotton swab using light tangential movements.
Painted surfaces must be allowed to dry completely before assembly. The complete drying time is indicated on the packaging of paints and varnishes. There is no need to try to repaint everything at once. It's better to do this element by element. Then, when preparing for painting and repainting the next element, it will be possible to take into account the nuances and correct mistakes made when working with the previous one. It is important to carry out all technological operations and the manufacturer’s requirements for the temperature conditions and drying time of primer and paint compositions with the utmost care.
Polishing the painted surface
The repainting process is quite labor-intensive and painstaking, but the result is worth it. Updated favorite things delight not only with their modern appearance, but also with the knowledge that this miracle was created with your own hands.
Painted polished MDF board
Choosing paint composition for kitchen furniture
Repainting should begin with the selection of paint and varnish material; it will affect the final result. Acrylic products are often chosen for various materials, including wood. But in conditions where there is frequent contact with water and temperature exposure, this type does not show the required resistance. Only acrylic paints in spray cans will do.
It is optimal to paint furniture facades with auto enamels; they have the following advantages:
- A durable protective film is created after drying;
- Withstands mechanical stress;
- Durability;
- Rich color palette.
It is optimal to paint furniture facades with auto enamels.
