Painting MDF paneling

[FlobeySolo]

Would really appreciate some advice on painting my dining room paneling.

It's MDF and tempered hardboard....the grid pattern is 1/2" MDF assembled like a giant face frame in hopes of minimizing the joints opening up over time. Goal is to paint it white, with as smooth a finish as possible.

Here's where I screwed up: I have a Graco airless sprayer I tried to use for the primer (Behr Primer / Sealer No 73), but it went on too heavy. I tried to catch the majority of the drips with a brush, however it started to dry too fast and created a huge mess [face palm]...I let it dry for several weeks then started sanding....and sanding....and sanding. I'm about ready to try again for the top coat. My options are to mask the whole room and try the sprayer again albeit with more finesse, or roll it with a smooth roller and cut in the corners with a brush. Any thoughts? And what paint would you recommend? Any additional thoughts / tips?

Thanks!

 

[tjbnwi]

I would reprime with Sherwin Williams Wall and Wood Primer. Top coat with SW Pro Classic, Cashmere or Super Paint.

You don't mention which tips you used. Get the Graco Fine Finish tips. Practice, practice, practice.

If you are leery of spraying again, brush and roll with a foam roller. Watch the pace so you do not create air bubbles.

Did i mention you need to practice????????

I hate Behr products.

Tom

 

[FlobeySolo]

Thanks, Tom.

I'm using a .015 tip, with a Graco X7 airless sprayer. I've build some scrap panels on which I'll practice, and will definitely head to the SW store for the primer/paint you mentioned. I'd like to stay with water-based; would you recommend the Cashmere or the Super paint for this application? I'm leaning towards spraying again (after much practice) as I think it'll be faster and yield a better result.

 

[tjbnwi]

While your at SW get the holder and Fine Finish tips.

All the products I listed are water based. Depends on the finish gloss, they may not have all the glosses in every line. All of the paints are very good.

Tom

 

[dltflt]

+1 on Sherwin Williams products.

 

[polarsea1]

I could be wrong but I don't think the gun that comes with the X7 will support RACX FF tips.

 

[tjbnwi]

I could be wrong but I don't think the gun that comes with the X7 will support RACX FF tips.

You can purchase the holder so the RAC X FF tips will fit the X7 gun.

Tom

 

[FlobeySolo]

I contacted Graco to get the part numbers and confirmed they will work with my sprayer. How it works with my paint will be tested when they arrive.

Thanks again for the advice; I'll keep you posted!

 

[Howad]

Looks like Paulk-type work bench under the plastic in pic #2!

 

[FlobeySolo]

Great eye! It's Ron 's Miter saw bench plans, customized a bit. Was a big help in this project.

BTW, I sprayed the last coat yesterday on those walls. I purchased a RO 150 and the hard pad to sand all the nasty primer off, then hit it with a coat of SW Wall and Wood primer, and 2 coats of Cashmere. The RAC X FF tips did great, too. I'll never use any paint other than Sherwin Williams again. Appreciate all the advice I got, and we're really happy with the room. I'll post some pics when I get it wrapped up (we're having our floors refinished this week)