How to paint MDF - DIY tips!

Want to know how to paint MDF? In this video I'm showing you the best practical way I've found of painting MDF (medium density fibreboard). This method gives a professional finish, doesn't involve edge banding and is very easy if you use the right materials and follow a few simple steps. In this video I'm using Leyland Acrylic Primer Undercoat and Leyland Fast Drying Gloss, both water based and both good paints. As mentioned in the video they next level of quality after this is to go for a sprayed finish, but I'm not set up for spraying.
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Rota Premier Concave 4" Foam Mini Roller Set: gosforthhandyman.com/uk-links...
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Give Charlie White from Charlie DIYte a follow, link below to his great vid about treatment of MDF edge grain:
• The BEST Way to Paint ...
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#GHTL #MDF #DIY

[@GosforthHandyman]

Shop: gosforthhandyman.com/shop Join the Member Zone: members.gosforthhandyman.com Thank you!! 👍🛠🤘

[@menakapandian6068]

A really good coach👍

[@karlcashin3389]

Does the MDF have to be sanded first. My cabinets have laminate on them. Will I need to peel that off then sand , then paint ?

[@joem21292]

@@karlcashin3389 lol did you even watch the video 😂 jokes.. I know it's 7 months later but peel that crap and sand then paint with primer let dry and give very light sanding then paint with 2 coats of paint to finish.. btw Gosforth Handyman you the man ✌️

[@JayThomasofficial]

no sanding sealer.. ok .. ill try both ways.. just found ur channel i love it ty for all the info

[@seansugrue5354]

What's the best way to paint MDF shelves that can be more scratch proof

[@stuartcarson9378]

I've just made four alcove shelves from MDF and painted them yesterday, this video showed up in my feed today. I wish I had watched this first but they turned out ok. I'm no pro but happy enough. I actually built them after watching your video Simple Floating Alcove Shelves from five years ago. Thank you. Great advice.

[@avinashjagdeo]

Thanks for not scaring the piss out of everyone about MDF the way the other videos do.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Lol no worries 👍

[@paulround8501]

If you apply a coat of shellac before painting you will get a perfect finish every time. The shellac does not cause the MDF surface to expand because it's alcohol based but completely seals it against moisture. Then when you apply the paint it does not soak into the MDF and most of the time doesn't even need sanding after priming, it goes on that smooth. This even works on the cheapest MDF and makes it paint like the expensive moisture resistant stuff.

[@mikey7278]

Zinsser BIN 👍

[@yaboi8640]

came to say this, a shellac based primer is best for mdf.

[@jvjdrn]

This has been my experience, too. Thanks.

[@imtheonevanhalen1557]

ANY moisture will cause edge fuzz.....BIN is good, but the fuzz will be there

[@mikey7278]

@@imtheonevanhalen1557 Once you have applied the primer (zinsser is good for this) let it dry. Once dry the fuzzy edges can be sanded smooth

[@handsomeharrytheyorkie8286]

Never mind the MDF bit. This is the best guide I've found for using water based gloss. It's the use of the roller that has really helped me. Thanks.

[@iangraham6819]

I watched this video, followed your instructions to the letter and now have a beautiful new kitchen. so thank you for that.

[@PoPoSharikov]

Thank-you so much for putting this up and for taking the time to explain what you were doing / looking out for. Ive got disbonded vinyl wrap kitchen cabinets and your clip has given me the confidence to strip the doors back and give painting them a go. .Thanks mate.

[@ppcwashington9150]

I have the same issue, mind if I ask how it went?

[@PablitoShafto]

Same here! Also would like to hear how it went and good luck!

[@cynthiahampton3222]

Thank you! You have saved me from hating my peeling kitchen drawers in my new home honestly.

[@TheLastPharm]

Great video. All your points and advice are well founded. I have a fair amount of experience with painting MDF and approach it pretty much in the same manner after many hours of trial and error. Although I am familiar with most of the info offered here, I enjoyed watching and listening right to the end, so my compliments on a job well done!

[@richblaker9087]

Just found this video! Thanks for making it. I’m Just about halfway through making 26 mdf kitchen doors and I am painting them as I go. The ones I have already painted are great and I had come up with an identical method to you, nice to have it confirmed… cheers, Rich

[@mattdovi2255]

How did you sand them

[@augustoabarquez3722]

Its my first time handling MDF and honestly im very intimidated in painting it. Your video is very helpful and it mitigates my fear in painting it. Thank you sir! May you have more builds to come. DIYer from Philippines

[@V21IC]

Thanks. I like this 'down-to-earth' simple way of painting MDF. In time I may learn to adopt a more expensive approach! But now, I'm going to buy some sealer/primer and finishing paint!

[@Akula1963]

Thank you for giving me more insight in how to paint MDF. I've build my own kitchen but the doors, well, those have to wait until the weather picks up again. But thanks to this tutorial, I don't worry anymore.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Erik! 👍

[@henryjohnfacey8213]

Thanks for the tutorial. Very good for my next project. I put up some shelve and there was an almighty crash in the middle of the night. The lot came down. I watched your video on anchor bolts and roar plugs tips which I followed and it was a great success on holding up all my books seccurely. Thanks to the Gosforth Guru.

[@Iskelderon]

Thanks for going the extra mile to make it beginner-friendly!

[@GosforthHandyman]

No worries! 👍

[@ellenmeilee]

Got to paint mdf cabinet doors today been putting off for a year as I have no idea when it comes to diy but this has given me the confidence to just get on with it 👍👍👍💪

[@chrisdupont1195]

Great video and perfect timing! I'm starting today a big mdf project for a friend of mine, building a floor to ceiling built-in cabinet. Thanks for those very useful tips et cheers from Belgium!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers for watching and good luck with the build - a big hello and welcome to Belgium! 😃👍

[@nimajnebrm]

Great tips and explanations... I've painted here and there but knowing how to do it better next time is inspiring!

[@woosheroes494]

What a great tutorial video. Many thanks for sharing your, time, wisdom and techniques. Helped tremendously.!

[@RopeyrhymeLetts]

A good quality instruction video pleasantly presented and fully understandable. Thank you, I learned loads.

[@ChrisMansellVideos]

Thank you for enlightening me with this info! Painting is one of my weaknesses, as I've never been shown properly, so I've always struggled by not priming, loading way too much paint and then sanding heavily... but just to see your finesse, I am now confident that I can achieve a good finish without stress. It's Monday here, so I will have a good Monday (the end made me laugh a lot). Thanks for a great video! :D

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great stuff Chris! 👍

[@gailremp8389]

I finally learned that you don't paint directly from the can. You put about an inch of paint in the bottom of another can so you can get your brush in and saturated in the middle. Wow. That only took me 1000 years to hear about. I'm slow but I do catch on.

[@seanxay9039]

By far the best video on youtube explaining how to paint MDF. Thank you!

[@ralphlivingston894]

Thank you for a great video. I always work with plywood because I don’t know how to finish MDF… Or at least I didn’t, until I watched your video. Great job!

[@swanfiltertips]

This may well be the best Saturday I’ve ever had

[@TheSemtexCow]

New today, and now having a great day because I’ll be painting mdf and getting a better finish tomorrow. Cheers, have a sub

[@GosforthHandyman]

Welcome to the channel! 👍

[@mromper2010]

Oldie but still helpful! I’m about to throw out a MDF dresser (many issues with the surface) but I’ll give it one more try after seeing this. Thanks!

[@GeorgeIreton]

Andy, Thanks for this. It was precisely what I needed to see for a craft project I am working on.

[@GosforthHandyman]

No worries George! 👍🛠

[@jamesgrant5945]

I am a novice at working with MDF, but found your video excellent. I only hope that I can put into practice all the tips you gave

[@Pilski]

Great video, Andy! Viewed it to pick up on any new/different mdf finishing ideas, as I use mdf quite a lot....cabinets, drawers, worktable tops, etc. Only problem is edges susceptible to damage, so I band them with a thin strip of hardwood. On paint cans (pots)...I cannot tolerate ANY residue around the lip, so a little tip...round the ends of a piece of thin scrap, 'bout an inch or so wide and long enough to sit in the lip of the can/pot a couple inches ftom the edge: tape it across the can, wrapping the exposed edge. This gives a brush wiping surface rather than using the rim of the can/pot. Prevents ANY paint from getting into the seal groove. Then, when getting paint into the roller pan, I use a cheap soup ladle, letting it drip on the taped strip. Cost of paint here in the US is too high to allow it to dry out in the can! One might say I am far too anal...or CHEAP...or BOTH, but I have many paint cans with rims and lids just as they came from the store. Thanks again for the video....and for tolerating such a long post as this!

[@KiatHuang]

That is a very good tip! My visualization of this tip doesn't feel 100% though. Does the thin scrap project over the can lip, meaning it has to be untaped when you want to replace the lid? At the moment I'm painting a lot of hardwood ply shelf pieces with exactly the same paints that Andy is using and I also have these annoying crusty paint bits that end up on my work that I'm having to pick off and then repaint over. Luckily it's also ready to see them sometimes on the small sponge rollers I'm using before these bits get transferred to the work piece.

[@davidpearce1934]

What a superb video. That’s given me complete confidence to tackle this job. Thank you

[@jamiefrench8934]

Nice to hear a Northern accent on KZbin! Fantastic tutorial too, thank you.

[@hayleametcalf1247]

I know this video is pretty old, but I figured I would ask. What about kitchen and bathroom cabinets that get water splashed on them. I have t started painting them yet because they are so swollen from kids splashing water. Does the paint protect them anymore or is there something else I can use to protect them I doubt I will be able to sand them smooth they are so damaged

[@gailremp8389]

Omg! I'm in the United States. And when you said northern accent. I thought you meant the Northeast. Like New York Pennsylvania New Jersey even. And then I realized you meant England. I love it. Don't you just love when you can watch videos from people all over the world. And just really get into the whole vibe.

[@LScott97]

Fantastic Video! My wife has given me the fun job of repainting our old Ikea cabinet doors. This is emensily helpful for that task. However i am considering making new doors with mdf.

[@tomorrowkiddo]

Watching from Newcastle, not Upon Tyne... NSW, Australia but a dual citizen with UK. Hi ya. Thanks for making this video, I'm about to paint some new MDF kitchen cabinet doors for a garage conversion. Awesome to learn from you.

[@johnvodopija1743]

Thank you for sharing your practical guide to painting MDF. Great tips 👍😎🇦🇺

[@sillyme2846]

You are wonderful. I am replacing my kitchen countertop with raw particle board and I was going to apply very thick coats of paint. Now I am in the know!

[@williammclauchlan2610]

Thanks for your simple and to the point but with great results video!!

[@littleleatries]

Where have you been all my life! Wonder video, thank you so much for your input.

[@gerryclark8450]

Great stuff! Just starting to build two speakerstands and need to paint them! Thanks!

[@djomarmustafa]

I’m doing this exact same thing right now lol

[@irhgsy]

Just found this video. Damn useful, sir! Especially as I have just started a couple of bedside cabinets, in MDF. many thanks.

[@dianehird8742]

Hi, just found your channel. I LOVE painting woodwork but I'm awful at it! Have learned so much from this. Thank u!

[@1hughieboy]

I do lots of diy but hate paint. Thanks , great tutorial, loved it, Thanks Hugh

[@whitewolf6730]

Great craftsmanship and infirmation. Thank you for sharing.

[@bungelsfinger]

Always wondered how it's done. Thanks, brilliant video.

[@kurttallon]

Great tips. Really straight forward explanation too😀👍

[@Davez2023]

Exactly the video we were looking for. Thank you so much!

[@colly3493]

Thank you for making this video. I've gave a 30 year old kitchen a make over, as the laminate was cracked I removed it.

[@m.a.9471]

Thanks for taking time out and making this video and good tutorial .

[@margaretrooney3401]

Great video, it’s give me the confidence to paint some new mdf storage.

[@MD0MDI]

Bloody great advice, been trying to get a good finish for ages, not tried acrylic primer till I watched this video, thanks for the advice, please post more vids, especially non-time lapse MDT furniture making....

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers for the kind words! 👍

[@johnkidd1956]

Great video. No frills, just down to business interspersed with helpful tips, and using the minimum of tools. I have a full wall of wardrobes to paint, the doors which are floor to ceiling, have been removed. I’m going to lay them on the floor and raise them slightly with three batons of wood to make painting the edges easier. Thanks for uploading this, I feel less daunted than I did!

[@KruegerDan]

I watch at Saturday 2019 😂 thank you for your video.

[@drmkiwi]

Good stuff, thanks. Cheers, David

[@antoniop9413]

Greatful for the video upload , I decided after watching your video to use the leyland products and very happy with my results Really nice finish on my mdf, problems I've had before with other products. Thanks again

[@garydahn6728]

I've done a bit of painting, but never any MDF. Have a MDF project started now requiring a white paint job, much like yours...thanks for the demo, I have I good idea how to make it shine now.

[@lindawilliams5638]

Thank you for a calm enjoyable tutorial!

[@ronalddowie1734]

You are a very humble man now a days very few .

[@rosebrand8477]

Very informative and easy to watch, thanks for sharing!

[@broadband1820]

Thank you mate,great video. Gonna be painting the kitchen cupboards soon. They're covered in laminate, some of it has cracked and peeled so I'll be stripping them back to bare MDF. Got yourself a sub thank you.

[@umbraexsanguis]

awesome! subscribed! hope your channel grows fast with all your amazing content!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thanks for the kind words! 👍🛠

[@tomaszmolesztak9802]

Thanks for this video and thanks for all the tips. 🙂 I am going to paint my MDF cupboard tomorrow and was worrie. Now im litte bit confident. 😊✌️

[@mrejasvp3779]

Honest, reliable u got a viewer from India, very useful video man keep going

[@saimuddin5312]

Top job mate. Thanks for sharing your tips. Thank you

[@bonnykennedy4857]

Hi Andy, excellent video!! I have laminate MDF cabinets and I've been wanting to redo them. I have had many people tell me not to or you can't paint MDF. I watched a youtube video on how to remove the laminate and now this video. I now have the confidence to go ahead to redo them. Thank you again. I look forward to watching your other video's and upcoming ones as well!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great stuff! 👍

[@oldproji]

You can paint laminate but first you need to use a shellac based primer like Zinsser B.I.N. Search KZbin.

[@paull2815]

Removing the laminate is easy with contact cement (cold pressed) with lacquer thinner. It's removing the contact cement that's hard. Forget trying to sand it off. Better off to sand the old laminate and relaminate or try Kilz or Zinssers. Never tried painting plastic laminates but have done miles of relaminating over well bonded old laminates.

[@johnc2434]

Thanks for the great video. I have MDF cabinet with an rounded bevel inlay in the door and I'm using aklyd paint. I've figured out that I have to thin the paint before applying it. I'm trying to figure out how to have the same finish in the beveled area as I do on the rolled face panel. It is hard to see on the white paint that was used in the video. It is always good to get tips from a skilled master! Thanks.

[@seriouslyreally5413]

Excellent video! Thorough drying is curing the coat to a hard film is vital before sanding. Cleaning the dust off after sanding the initial sealer coat is the vital step as it can pill together and form the "texture" people object

[@GosforthHandyman]

Wise words! 👍

[@junaidshamsoodien4564]

I love the honesty. Its Tuesday today though🙄

[@chrisb4009]

I think MDF is great stuff. The moisture resistant stuff generally seems to take paint better. My other gripe with MDF is how much it gums up saw blades and router cutters. I’ve found ovens cleaner takes the gunk off.

[@sarahholland2600]

Loved this. My wardrobe took a battering when I moved to a 3rd floor flat, so it desperately needs a refresh. I can't find a new one I like.

[@ms.5779]

Thanks for the painting tip on MDS. I plan on using board of it to make my grandson & granddaughter a magnetic chalkboard

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍👍🛠

[@jbilotta]

Great tips! I can't afford new cabinets and replacing two simple Mdf cabinets underneath my sink with the faux face plate. I was advised to match the paint on my existing cabinets that have Melamine on top. I think this will look 100 times better than the water damage on the bottom of my old doors! Whoot!

[@philrichmond7567]

Hi Andy. I'm from Durham. I make stuff out of wood. Your video has helped me a great deal. Cheers 🍻

[@mikedinsdale6065]

Great informative video. Simple and quick. Obviously under proper conditions you would use a kettle and tray etc, but this is only a quick test. Thanks very much.

[@agee7777]

thanks for the video, this has helped me a lot

[@michaelmcdonough1989]

Thanks, Andy great presentation.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Michael! 👍

[@evemeadows2121]

This is very informative! Great job, thank you! :)

[@alunrichards2712]

Good video.I was a little concerned about painting a mdf corner until I've built,think ill follow your instructions cheers.

[@edymoss3466]

Thanks for a great informative video on painting MDF Learned alot watching

[@pda49184]

Been watching a few of your vids Andy.. All excellent stuff. I painted a panel door with oil based gloss using a roller. I was chuffed with the mirror finish after it dried. I really should have done the hinge cut-outs first though.. Still, the red spots of blood pouring from my fingers splattered quite evenly over the newly dried white gloss. The misses quite liked the effect as it matched the blood pumping from my nose after the affectionate little slap she gave me.. I didn't want to subscribe to your channel and hit the notification bell, but hey, it means I can sleep with both eyes closed tonight.. Have a great weekend..

[@tishimself126]

"missus"

[@stefanhansen5882]

That looks amazing! Thanks a lot!

[@nancykkk8349]

Thank you Andy for the great video!

[@c.french450]

Tons of high end cabinets use HDF for painted doors, perfect finish and no separations with humidity. 👍

[@IfthiAli]

What's hdf?

[@XyTTy]

@@IfthiAli high density fiber, mdf strands for medium density fiber

[@donwilliams3350]

To help keep paint from building up on your paint can ,punch several holes into the Chanel where the lid goes. The paint will drip back into the can and does not affect the resealing of the lid. I have been doing this for longer than I can remember and it works great.

[@LotusFlower_Sunny]

Great video. Thank you. Your amazing. Learned so much!

[@davidswindlehurst801]

I just really enjoyed your presentation!

[@brianmarkie4667]

Flipping brilliant fella.

[@felixreali7101]

great video. really helpful. thank you

[@HugoAlfredoOrdonezCh]

Hola Andy, me suscribí pues me parecen muy buenos los consejos de tu experiencia en MDF. Es una material muy noble, lo uso poco, más la madera. Sí lo he usado con anterioridad y no me ha quedado mal, pero ahora cuando lo use y le de algún tipo de acabado, trataré de ser más prolijo con ello. Para los bordes he usado un fondo lijable a base de agua, deja muy aceptable la preparación, previo al acabado final. Un saludo desde Guatemala.

[@magotto84]

I'm watching it on Saturday ! ;)

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍😀

[@jamesv6170]

This was an excellant video. Very helpful.

[@aspjake123]

Great information once it starts.

[@rmhutchins7]

Very Helpful Video. Thank you!

[@TheJunkyardgenius]

I found using a high density foam roller with light pressure gives a much better finish than a standard foam roller and much less sanding is required.

[@cuebj]

Exactly what I needed. Thanks

[@craigcowley7560]

Nice one fella. Some great tips. Just down the road from you in sunny Teesside. Will have to pop along one day to see the products and watch a mater craftsman

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha! Can only hope to one day be a master craftsman! 👍😀

[@louiscypher7090]

I couldn't agree more about working with MDF.

[@jamescodling8641]

Love it. Great work and also very amusing. :)

[@patrickleachman2768]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@sheilastone9521]

Thank you so much for this video.. We have watched other videos, but they were a bit confusing.. I love the way you are so natural and explain everything so that even I can understand

[@ndmoficial8672]

Thanks for a great video!

[@iaidoman]

Ref: dry paint around lip. I have always stored my paints sealed and upside down, I have never had a problem. Super video buddy.