finishing an MDF cabinet

flaevor · 26th February 2005, 05:55 PM

Sorry for the beginner question, but I have finally decided on a project, only I'm not sure how to finish off the cabinet. From what I read paint and MDF don't go together well. Veneer I was told without veneer press forget it. Self-sticking foil in wood/or stone motifs has been suggested to me but they just don't appeal to me. So what did all of you use?

Can you get a smooth shiny finish on top of structured paint and if so how?

x. onasis · 26th February 2005, 06:04 PM

There are experts on all types of finishes here. Paint works. Veneers work.

Just decide what finish you want, you'll get way too much advice.

Did you read this thread?

joensd · 26th February 2005, 06:10 PM

Quote:

From what I read paint and MDF don't go together well.

You probably read about a special paint as I don´t see a reason why they wouldn´t go together.

Quote:

Veneer I was told without veneer press forget it.

I´m no expert at this but no.
Some use another piece of wood and clamps to press the veneer on your enclosure. Others use a method with a flat-iron.

Quote:

Can you get a smooth shiny finish on top of structured paint and if so how?

Shiny definitely; just apply your clear lacquer of choice after the structure paint.
Smooth... you would have to apply many layers but it should work IMO.

http://www.visaton.de/vb/showthread....it+effekt+lack
Granite effect lacquer. One of my favourites as it is quite easy to get good looking.

sardonx · 26th February 2005, 06:27 PM

I'm not an expert on veneering but why would you HAVE to have a veneer press to veneer speakers?? Especially when it's your first project. Veneer, contact cement, and a router should do just fine, no?

If the corners are left unrounded use the router to cut the veneer flush with the edge after you've glued it. Or if you round the corners of the speakers enough you could use one piece of veneer for all four sides by wrapping it around. If you do this you have to spray water on the part of the veneer that will bend at the corners and let it sit for a bit to loosen up (use a plastic spray can for the water). Be very slow and apply lots of pressure on the speaker when you bend around the corners. Use a long (and very straight) bar of metal or something like it (the beefier the better) or find a very flat surface and just use the speaker's own weight for bending. You'd have to experiment to find what works best for your size of speaker.

Also the size of the rounded radius of the corner must be big enough to do this, at least 3/4 inch maybe?

jaudio · 26th February 2005, 07:33 PM

try leather or a leatherlike vinyl.

1. It easy to work with

2. all you need is a razor,a ruler and contact cement.

3. You can get almost any color

4. Enclosure damping(less sound radiating from enclosure)

sprucemoose · 26th February 2005, 08:56 PM

i used granite paint over flat black enamel. similar to the stuff shown in the link by joensd, but black with white and grey flecks in it. looks great!

Mr Evil · 26th February 2005, 09:03 PM

I use fur fabric.

Looks unique and it helps reduce diffraction at high frequencies.

flaevor · 27th February 2005, 08:30 AM

First off I read the thread on piano black paint. My concern with paint is the uneven absorbtion on the edges in comparison to the flat surfaces. Since my motivation for using paint was to simplify things the idea of sealing those edges with putty or anything else started to become discouraging. Veneer: I asked a pro and got the pro answer. I assume however that I could simply glue it and it would hold. Might not be Ideal but it's a DIY job so ideal is really not an issue. I considered Leather. But I can't quite picture a speaker of this size in leather in my living room (116cm tall). It's the WAF thing. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm looking for ideas so if you've got 'em, i want 'em. Thanks for the input thus far. I am still leaning towards a product from elesgo called elesgoflex. It'S not my preferred solution but this is my first project and I think it would be the easiest alternative.

richie00boy · 27th February 2005, 09:04 AM

Basically MDF soaks up paint big time, especially the edges. In the UK e can buy a product made by International called MDF Primer. It's basically a primer paint that seals the wood, so your top coat goes on evenly. For a cheapskate version of it you can make a 50/50 mix of PVA glue and water. Apply 1 or 2 coats, with a light sanding inbetween each. Then paint over with ordinary wood primer/undercoat.

cfbuck · 27th February 2005, 11:40 AM

Check out this post on the Madisound Board.

http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/dis...gi?read=336665

Cheers, CFB

26th February 2005, 05:55 PM	#1
flaevor diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Germany	finishing an MDF cabinet Sorry for the beginner question, but I have finally decided on a project, only I'm not sure how to finish off the cabinet. From what I read paint and MDF don't go together well. Veneer I was told without veneer press forget it. Self-sticking foil in wood/or stone motifs has been suggested to me but they just don't appeal to me. So what did all of you use? Can you get a smooth shiny finish on top of structured paint and if so how?

26th February 2005, 06:04 PM	#2
x. onasis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NYS	There are experts on all types of finishes here. Paint works. Veneers work. Just decide what finish you want, you'll get way too much advice. Did you read this thread? __________________ onasis

26th February 2005, 06:27 PM	#4
sardonx diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada	I'm not an expert on veneering but why would you HAVE to have a veneer press to veneer speakers?? Especially when it's your first project. Veneer, contact cement, and a router should do just fine, no? If the corners are left unrounded use the router to cut the veneer flush with the edge after you've glued it. Or if you round the corners of the speakers enough you could use one piece of veneer for all four sides by wrapping it around. If you do this you have to spray water on the part of the veneer that will bend at the corners and let it sit for a bit to loosen up (use a plastic spray can for the water). Be very slow and apply lots of pressure on the speaker when you bend around the corners. Use a long (and very straight) bar of metal or something like it (the beefier the better) or find a very flat surface and just use the speaker's own weight for bending. You'd have to experiment to find what works best for your size of speaker. Also the size of the rounded radius of the corner must be big enough to do this, at least 3/4 inch maybe? __________________ The End

26th February 2005, 09:03 PM	#7
Mr Evil diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Behind you	I use fur fabric. Looks unique and it helps reduce diffraction at high frequencies. __________________ https://mrevil.asvachin.eu/

27th February 2005, 09:04 AM	#9
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	Basically MDF soaks up paint big time, especially the edges. In the UK e can buy a product made by International called MDF Primer. It's basically a primer paint that seals the wood, so your top coat goes on evenly. For a cheapskate version of it you can make a 50/50 mix of PVA glue and water. Apply 1 or 2 coats, with a light sanding inbetween each. Then paint over with ordinary wood primer/undercoat. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

26th February 2005, 07:33 PM	#5
jaudio diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	try leather or a leatherlike vinyl. 1. It easy to work with 2. all you need is a razor,a ruler and contact cement. 3. You can get almost any color 4. Enclosure damping(less sound radiating from enclosure)

27th February 2005, 08:30 AM	#8
flaevor diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Germany	First off I read the thread on piano black paint. My concern with paint is the uneven absorbtion on the edges in comparison to the flat surfaces. Since my motivation for using paint was to simplify things the idea of sealing those edges with putty or anything else started to become discouraging. Veneer: I asked a pro and got the pro answer. I assume however that I could simply glue it and it would hold. Might not be Ideal but it's a DIY job so ideal is really not an issue. I considered Leather. But I can't quite picture a speaker of this size in leather in my living room (116cm tall). It's the WAF thing. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm looking for ideas so if you've got 'em, i want 'em. Thanks for the input thus far. I am still leaning towards a product from elesgo called elesgoflex. It'S not my preferred solution but this is my first project and I think it would be the easiest alternative.

27th February 2005, 11:40 AM	#10
cfbuck diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: London, Ontario	Thread form Madisound Check out this post on the Madisound Board. http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/dis...gi?read=336665 Cheers, CFB

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cabinet finishing.	crewsa	Multi-Way	2	22nd January 2006 03:29 PM
Cabinet finishing	vteg	Multi-Way	20	3rd January 2004 09:10 PM
Need advice on cabinet finishing (lacquer)	alphaGeek	Multi-Way	23	25th March 2003 05:24 PM
Finishing MDF	Vivek	Multi-Way	4	11th April 2002 04:23 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read