How to Paint MDF Texture
- 1). Place a sheet of 120-grit sandpaper into a sanding block or powered sander. MDF contains formaldehyde, which is released when you sand and is hazardous to breathe.
- 2). Sand all surfaces of your MDF thoroughly, including the edges.
- 3). Wipe away all of your sanding dust with a rag. Keep wiping the surface with fresh rags until your rag comes away clean.
- 4). Apply a smooth coat of water-based primer over the entire MDF surface. Use brushes only for the corners and edges, then paint the main surfaces with a roller. Rollers with short nap (the fuzzy part of the roller pad) will give you the smoothest surface, but you need some length, such as 1/2 inch, to let the fibers work their way into the wood texture.
- 5). Sand the entire primed board after the primer thoroughly dries. Wipe the board down until it is free of dust after sanding.
- 6). Apply another coat of primer, paying special attention to the edges. Continue alternating priming and sanding until the board is as smooth as you want it, ending on a primer coat.
- 7). Apply one to two coats of latex paint over your primer to finish the board.
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