Can you Polyurethane MDF board?

Marco trashed one side of his work table and decided it would be a cool experiment to see if he could give his MDF table a nice polyurethane finish...this is his story.

[@Acreativejourneywithmelissa]

Fantastic!! Thank you!! That's exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for showing the individual steps to see the difference in sheen. Just subscribed. Thanks again!

[@EverythingHouse]

You're so welcome. Thank you for subscribing. We're trying to get videos up more regularly. We just bought our first home, so there is a lot to work on haha

[@rebelcause3124]

Thats a great attitude and I like that...fixes everything

[@westfieldartworks8188]

Hey --- I'm glad you made this video. MDF has a nice look to it for the table top (shipping table), I'm looking to make. I was wondering it it could be made smoother with Poly.....and you answered my question. I have to say, I wouldn't have predicted 5-6 coats of polyurethane, but hey...it got the job done. Thank you!!!

[@EverythingHouse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mikebaker75]

Use shellac to seal the mdf. It flashes faster than the mdfs reaction. It’s great for sealing the mdf “end grain” for painting.

[@EverythingHouse]

Great tip! I'll try that next time! Thank you!

[@timault8209]

Are you insane?? Shellac costs over $70 for a measly gallon! sheesh. Use diluted Titebond One (PVA) instead.

[@mikebaker75]

@@timault8209 pva glues, even when diluted won’t impregnate the “end grain” fibers and stabilize it as much as shellac. Then if you get it wet….still have issues. Shellac can work as a sealer and a primer in this situation. You’ll be able to block sand it and go straight to paint if need be.

[@kristybrandsgaard8868]

Thank you I just picked up a piece today and was wondering if I could. Now I know

[@EverythingHouse]

You're very welcome! Good luck!

[@ACAB_Media]

I use wipe on poly on MDF all the time! .... Works like a charm!! .... Used it on new router table top that I made for my JessEm Rout-R-Lift just this morning!

[@EverythingHouse]

Fantastic! It's great stuff.

[@opsy6284]

You can very light sand the final coat by hand with fine grit to get an ultra smooth finish on top top layer.

[@EverythingHouse]

EXACTLY!

[@roberttrimmier3276]

I do a lot of "learning things " when I'm in the shop. Guess that's part of the process. That's how these old guys get so good. I am going to make some router templates out of MDF. I was thinking about varnishing them. What do you think about that. Someone on Facebook told me to put CA glue on the edges which sounds like a good idea but that's a lot of CA glue.

[@EverythingHouse]

"Learning things" are my favorite. I'd make them out of plywood. MDF is just too brittle. No tensile strength.

[@claravisa2179]

Hi there! Could you please write down the products/steps you use/you make? I'm doing a bed structure, like a podium to fit the bed in. I need it to be "strong" enough to walk on it, a varnish that it won't fade, because we are gonna walk on in (barefoot). Thanks!

[@EverythingHouse]

I might go with plywood if you're going to walk on it. It's much stronger.

[@JoeLazzara]

Great video!! I'm in the process of sealing my mdf bench top now, so this came in handy.👍 I have a question tho, what sandpaper grit did you use after that first coat?? Thanks!!

[@EverythingHouse]

Happy I could help! Not sure exactly, but I would start with a 120. Let me know if you need anything else!

[@karlopopovic810]

What about glueing two MDF boards at a 90degree angle? What glue/sealer would you use for it to be water resistant?

[@EverythingHouse]

The only way I would do that is by adding a strip of solid wood adjacent to the 90° angle, so that any pressure is shared by the entire piece. Particle board is not strong, so you have to supplement.

[@dylandrego]

Any thoughts on how an oil based poly would do on MDF instead of Water based?

[@EverythingHouse]

probably better. If you don't thin it down at all, then it will probably absorb less meaning less coats will be needed. Try it and let me know!

[@trrveer8962]

1..... No... So nice very nice......

[@EverythingHouse]

Thank you so much

[@algreen266]

So im a beginer.I have a plain MDF board i spread Polyeurethane on by brush or sponge.Then i wait for it to dry then spray paint the white color after drying i spray the Laquer .! Correct?

[@EverythingHouse]

Are we painting this board, staining, or just sealing it?

[@Eatwithalicia]

What did you spray on it after the last coat?

[@EverythingHouse]

water based polycrylic is also available in a spray can. It's great for the final coat!

[@giantfrogstudios839]

You are meant to apply an MDF sealer before varnishing or painting

[@EverythingHouse]

I would definitely agree

[@radinsyah1574]

Maybe hand sanding it between coats would be more effective. Just enough to get that white residue up for that mechanical grip.

[@EverythingHouse]

It's possible.

[@richardmason4252]

3 coats of shellac, followed by 2 coats of PU varnish worked for me.

[@EverythingHouse]

Nice

[@bishop2355]

Thanks for the video, however the music was just a bit to loud.

[@EverythingHouse]

Thank you so much for letting me know. I really appreciate your feedback. I will definitely keep an eye on that in future videos 😃

[@hesrey6734]

$500 in labor on a $30 board Awesome bro Mississippi 😄

[@EverythingHouse]

More than that! Have to charge $800 at a minimum up here in Chicago lol

[@Saved-qv2ow]

When ones voice is competing with music, the annoying music wins all the time! Didn't hear hardly anything stated. 👎🏻

[@CT-um7zq]

i know this is none of my business, but please use a respirator or mask when sanding. Good luck🤗

[@EverythingHouse]

Usually do, but my vacuum is very efficient at removing dust.

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

That looks like water based Poly Urethane. I'd choose a thinner based one.

[@EverythingHouse]

Absolutely. I like oil-based as well, just takes a week to get a good finish, I didn't have the patience this time.

[@dakotakubon9351]

Menards wood ?

[@EverythingHouse]

Yessir

[@danielflack7064]

Hi I used Osmo Polyx Oil. Two thin coats did the job

[@EverythingHouse]

Nice. I haven't heard of this product. Where did you get it?

[@alpaykasal2902]

the title is wrong... Polycrylic is not polyurethane. polycrylic is water based. polyurethane is oil based.

[@EverythingHouse]

Thank you sir!

[@Acreativejourneywithmelissa]

FYI Due to laws in California, this is all that is available to us. It is "supposed" to be the alternative to oil based. We shall see lol

[@yvonaubertin6833]

polycrylic is not a pure poly urethane it is a co polymere acryic and PU

[@lissettedixon9094]

You should have shellac it first then poly

[@EverythingHouse]

Don't mix finishes when possible. You're asking for trouble.

[@kevinbaxter1571]

Stay away from Water based finishes on MDF. I like 50% Poly With 50% Mineral Spirits. Thin enough to Really bite into the Mdf

[@EverythingHouse]

That's great advice dude.

[@JohnSzabo-wu7kq]

Those that know what the hell they're doing, know you need to apply "SANDING SEALER" to wood first to "SEAL" the pores in the wood before applying ANY Polyurethane..

[@EverythingHouse]

Nah. The poly will seal.