Please always follow the processing instructions of the varnish or wax manufacturer. All varnishes and waxes that are expressly suitable for the treatment of MDF boards can be used. Never apply lacquers and waxes too thinly. Too much dilution can also have a negative effect on the result. Always start with a test coat and make sure that the surfaces to be varnished/waxed are free of grease, dust or silicone. A cross-coat application provides the best results.
General: Due to the production process, different batches of our panels may vary slightly in color. For best results, therefore, panels from different batches should not be processed together. Direct sunlight can also lead to discoloration! If possible, sharp edges should be rounded off before processing.
Insulating the edges and surfaces of MDF boards works with a polyurethane primer for furniture and interior fittings, for example. Before applying the insulation, make sure that all surfaces to be coated are completely dry and free of dust and grease.
The application itself is carried out by spraying - ensure that the insulation is stirred well and thinned appropriately in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. After the first coat and an intermediate drying time of around 2 hours, a second spray application is carried out, this time with undiluted paint. This second coat is essential, especially when used in damp areas. After the second application, the MDF boards must be left to dry overnight. Please do not stack the boards until they are sufficiently dry, which usually takes approx. 12 hours. Please bear in mind that the drying time may vary depending on the ambient temperature, material, humidity, etc. After intermediate sanding (grain size 280), the insulated boards are ready for further processing.
The insulation of the MDF boards closes the surface pores. Insulation therefore plays a particularly important role at the edges, as these are more absorbent than the rest of the surface. Good insulation prevents subsequent cracks in the lacquer - it is therefore advisable to repeat this work step after intermediate sanding. Please make sure that the properties of any subsequent paints to be applied match those of the insulation.
The finished insulated panels are then primed and sanded in between. Just like the insulation, the primer can also be applied twice for the best results (each time with an additional intermediate sanding). The primed panels are given a primer sanding, after which the top coat can be applied. A cross-coat procedure always ensures the best results.
To wax our MDF boards, the wax or oil is simply spread thinly with a cotton cloth or a bolt of cloth and rubbed in. This should be done as evenly as possible to ensure even drying. As with varnishes, the manufacturer's processing instructions must also be observed for waxes and oils.
An alternative to the procedure described above is offered by certain high-quality pigmented multi-layer coatings for MDF furniture (e.g. "Aduro MDF 4in1" from Adler). These can act as insulation, filler, colored lacquer and spray lacquer in one - and can be applied to high-quality MDF boards with a high raw density without pre-insulation. After cleaning or smoothing sanding, they are applied by spraying. This can be repeated depending on the desired substrate and thickness. Some products, such as the aforementioned Aduro MDF 4in1, require a slightly longer drying time than the conventional methods described above. A further coat of lacquer or sanding is only possible after approx. 5 hours. The actual drying time also depends on the substrate, temperature, humidity, etc.
For a higher gloss level, a suitable spray varnish can also be applied after the drying time (3 to max. 8 hours) without intermediate sanding - using a matt paste instead achieves the opposite result: a more matt, less glossy surface. In these cases, too, we ask you to follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly.
When using indoors and outdoors, make sure that you only ever use MDF boards that are suitable for both. Some models are only suitable for indoor use. This also applies to damp environments or those with splash water. Not all MDF boards are suitable for these areas of application.
Unwaxed or unlacquered MDF boards can be cleaned with a dry cloth; boards that have already been surface-treated can also be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth. Under no circumstances should scouring milk or scouring powder be used for cleaning. These can damage the surface.