How to treat MDF edges?

[chatziva]

Hi guys

I need some help / ideas. I am making some speaker enclosures using pre-veneered mdf panels. That's great but the edges do not come pre-veneered.

I am contemplating whether I should veneer the edges too or whether I can just treat the bare mdf edges with a lacquer or other sealant.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Evan

[chatziva]

I read that shellac is good for treating mdf edges. Does anybody have any experience with this?

[Steve Dunlap]

You can get rolls of paper backed veneer that are the same width as the mdf, assuming you used 0.75" mdf. Veneered edges will look better.

[Don Hills]

Like Steve says, iron-on veneer is a good choice. It comes in rolls with a hot-melt glue on one side. Lay it in place and heat with an iron (used for ironing clothes, you can get a cheap used one from a thrift store). You'll have a slight overhang of the veneer on both sides, don't worry about that. When it's cooled, trim the edges flush with a veneer trimmer. It fits over the edge and has a built-in blade that trims the veneer flush with the edge and chamfers it slightly.

[sts9fan]

Shellac works great. Will take five or six coats but they can be applied pretty fast.

[marce]

Ronseal - Product Details - Wet Rot Wood Hardener

I use the above on MDF edges, especially where I've routed round overs or other shapes, sets solid.

[SGregory]

Veneer works ok if you have the cuts offset so that it is flush. You can feather it as well but run the risk of sanding through the veneer and leaving an uneven edge. A common solution is to rabbet the edge and glue in a piece of solid wood and then round over that. i.e. a 1/2" roundover would need a 1/2" rabbet with a 1/2" x 1/2" solid wood glued in.

If you are leaving the edges square then just miter it. I use biscuits or a solid strip to provide strength to the joint. If you have a table saw the later is easy to do.

[pikkujöpö]

The 2 component primer surfacer (automotive paint)works a charm.Usually just few layers with spray gun or 1 thick layer with brush is enough.It's easy to sand also.

[Holger Barske]

If you really want to hide the MDF edges forever - don't produce them. There is absolutely no possibility to have them invisible for a longer time. They'll always come through, you just have to wait long enough. Even through veneer.
You can't hide them, so use shadow gaps to enforce them. Or, even better, mitre you panels, so there will be no edges.

[audi0]

+1