Painting help please.

[Macman]

Jessica would like me to paint her teachers word art purple. Apparently it’s her favourite colour. 

I don’t want to mess the piece up so woul appreciate some tips and advice on how to best do it. 

Given that there are quite a few holes that need painted I thought maybe pouring some acrylic paint into a bag and dipping the piece into it. Then I thought it would be a terrible idea and I’d be better using a wee brush. 

[don in brooklin on]

The holes look fairly big so Acrylic Paint on  a brush should be able to be get in the holes.

That looks like MDF.  If it is, MDF is hard to print with out sealing first.  I use Zinser seal coat. (maybe 2 coats before painting as MDF really sucks it in).

Even if wood sealing is a good idea.

Will probable take 2- 3 coats of paint (thin first coat with a little water).

 

[Macman]

20 minutes ago, don in brooklin on said:

The holes look fairly big so Acrylic Paint on  a brush should be able to be get in the holes.

That looks like MDF.  If it is, MDF is hard to print with out sealing first.  I use Zinser seal coat. (maybe 2 coats before painting as MDF really sucks it in).

Even if wood sealing is a good idea.

Will probable take 2- 3 coats of paint (thin first coat with a little water).

 

Thanks Don,

It is mdf. I will have look to see if I can find the U.K. equivalent of Zinser. 

[Macman]

Amazing - found it locally. 

This stuff? 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/zinsser-bulls-eye-1-2-3-primer-sealer-1ltr/10135?tc=AB7&ds_kid=92700030936902416&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1243321&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249481&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6sjPrsXq3gIV2Od3Ch1cwQlVEAQYAiABEgKDaPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[tomsteve]

1 hour ago, Macman said:

Thanks Don,

It is mdf. I will have look to see if I can find the U.K. equivalent of Zinser. 

can you find shellac? its a great sealer

[don in brooklin on]

Shellac is great too.  Zinsser seal coat is really dewaxed shellac.

I also know that some guys seal the edges of mdf with water and glue mixture but I am not sure how paint will stick 

 

 

[Frank Pellow]

I seldom use MDF but, when I have needed to paint it, a coat of shellac first, worked well.  I have also tried a watered down glue mixture, as suggested by Don, and it was OK but not as good as shellac.

Edited November 23, 2018 by Frank Pellow

[Tomanydogs]

A brush would work good in the holes. But I would use a rag to put the colour on the front and back that way no brush marks. ( I’d use a rag inside the holes too if that works). 

Irene

[John B]

When I'm painting MDF I use a white undercoat or sealer. Using flat or semi gloss acrylic, you can paint the piece the desired colour, cut it back with 240 - 320g paper and give it a second coat. Sometimes a 3rd will be required. If you are using yellow all bets are off

 

[jerry1939]

I always use rattle can spray paint.  I band sawed  a whole mess of pyramid shapes to set something like this on.  Apply 4 light, quick coats, from 4 directions, 10 minutes between coats, spraying mostly downward.  When dry, flip it over and repeat for the other side.  I like to paint the back first.

jerry

[Macman]

1 hour ago, jerry1939 said:

I always use rattle can spray paint.  I band sawed  a whole mess of pyramid shapes to set something like this on.  Apply 4 light, quick coats, from 4 directions, 10 minutes between coats, spraying mostly downward.  When dry, flip it over and repeat for the other side.  I like to paint the back first.

jerry

My shed is really cold at the moment and spray painting is off the agenda meantime. Thanks for the tips though. Will def use them in the future. 

[Macman]

10 hours ago, Tomanydogs said:

A brush would work good in the holes. But I would use a rag to put the colour on the front and back that way no brush marks. ( I’d use a rag inside the holes too if that works). 

Irene

Thanks Irene, I do like the idea of using a rag. I hate seeing brush strokes. 

[oldhudson]

Let me throw my 2¢ in. I've painted mdf and think that is the only way to finish it.  I purchased and regularly use tinted shellac i.e., shellac that has white dye added to it. It sprays and brushes like ordinary shellac, but of course it covers that brown color while sealing the surface. As others have suggested thin the paint and use an artists brush for interior surfaces. You may want to try adding a few drops of Floetrol. I use it regularly for spray painting and most other times I pick up a brush to paint my house. It extends dry time and helps the paint flow to minimized brush marks, sags and runs. I've tried the product with excellent results with oil based and latex paints but NOT tried it with acrylic.

[John B]

I have just created a  album (I think I have ) with some photos of toys I have made. These are all MDF, with some other timber. I did this to show that MDF can be finished to a high quality, and is a very stable medium. The larger pieces I sprayed (Compressor and Gun) The puzzles are painted with a brush then a couple of coats of clear Lacquer. The Kiddies tables and chairs are MDF melamine coated and the edges and pattern I painted with acrylic paint, a couple of coats.

 

 

[fisch2481]

I use an air brush for my painting and lacquers. An air brush allows you to hit those tough spots and mix colors to your exact need.