The sad realization that MDF is not flat :-(

[jerseyguy1996]

I've been working on my Tony Gee Proteus (aka Wilson Audio Cub clone) and Tony Gee Mezzo Proteus (aka I don't know) 5 speaker surround system and I am to the point of painting. I actually had no idea what a Wilson Audio Cub was but after seeing pictures of them recently, I am determined to do a similar paint scheme for my Proteuses (Proteui?) I am kinda just winging it in terms of painting these. I filled all of the seams and....ahem....dents created from me lugging these things around and knocking them into door jams......with elmers wood filler and sanded everything smooth. This is them all sanded and ready (so I thought) for paint.


IMAG0288 by jg1996business, on Flickr

Next I rollered on 3 coats of Kilz Original Oil Based Primer.


IMAG0297 by jg1996business, on Flickr

All of the speakers are primed like this.


IMAG0298 by jg1996business, on Flickr

Then I went to sand off the dimples in the primer and.......dang......to get down to smooth paint on the entire surface I end up sanding off most of the primer


IMAG0295 by jg1996business, on Flickr

I guess, at least this gives me a chance to flatten everything out.

[mondogenerator]

Been there, i feel your pain.

[whgeiger]

For an automotive grade finish, check this out:
COUNTERTOP PAINT - GianiGranite.com - FAQ
The manufacturer claims it can be directly applied to a primed and sanded MDF surface to provide a finished surface as tough and water resistant as a melamine laminate.

Regards,

WHG

[jerseyguy1996]

Originally Posted by mondogenerator

Been there, i feel your pain.

Glad it's not just me.

[evanc]

When I painted cars we would put on a couple coats of dark grey primer and then light grey so we could see the high spots before we got back to metal.
Evan

[jerseyguy1996]

Originally Posted by whgeiger

For an automotive grade finish, check this out:
COUNTERTOP PAINT - GianiGranite.com - FAQ
The manufacturer claims it can be directly applied to a primed and sanded MDF surface to provide a finished surface as tough and water resistant as a melamine laminate.

Regards,

WHG

Interesting stuff, but I wonder if it comes in solid colors. Speaking of automotive grade finishes, I had considered taking these down to the autobody shop at the end of my street to see if they could do them. I eventually decided not to because I want the finished product to be all me.

[jerseyguy1996]

Originally Posted by evanc

When I painted cars we would put on a couple coats of dark grey primer and then light grey so we could see the high spots before we got back to metal.
Evan

Did your shop paint non-car objects if people brought them in?

[KatieandDad]

I feel for you.

I'm building a pair of Wilmslow Audio Prestige Platinums.

After getting the MDF to an apparently perfect finish I applied primer - I might has well have flattened the MDF with a bulldozer.

In the end I've veneered the MDF but even that looks perfect until you start to apply any kind of finish.

[jerseyguy1996]

Originally Posted by KatieandDad

I feel for you.

I'm building a pair of Wilmslow Audio Prestige Platinums.

After getting the MDF to an apparently perfect finish I applied primer - I might has well have flattened the MDF with a bulldozer.

In the end I've veneered the MDF but even that looks perfect until you start to apply any kind of finish.

I'm trying to avoid rushing the painting process even though I really really want to start enjoying these speakers. I'm just going to keep priming and sanding until I have a perfect surface for the top coat.

[Sangram]

I always thought I was doing something wrong, needed about six coats of primer before I was able to start sanding.