MDF cabinet doors often have a glossy finish for easy cleaning and this makes refinishing a challenge.
MDF cabinets are installed in many homes because theyre inexpensive and easy to maintain. MDF is a material made from wood fibers bonded and pressed together with glues to form a hard material that looks similar to wood. Over time, your MDF doors may fade or yellow, or they may no longer match your decor. Refinishing MDF cabinet doors is a task most homeowners can do themselves, but requires some care and preparation to avoid having to repeat the job.
Preparation
Before you begin refinishing, remove all of the doors and their hardware, including hinges. When removing the hinges, take the bottom first to avoid causing stress on the hinge, which could cause damage to the door. Clean dirt, grime and other buildup with a cloth and soapy water, then dry the doors thoroughly. Examine the edges of the doors before you paint. Sometimes these are not finished, and are porous like the end grain of a piece of lumber. These porous edges will soak up paint, and this can lead to swelling and distortion of the door. You have a couple of options for finishing the edges before applying paint. First, you can apply edge banding, but this often results in a visible seam. Instead, you can fill the edges with drywall compound. Apply liberally along the edge of the door with a putty knife and smooth it with your finger. Once it fully dries, sand it smooth and finish.
Sanding
MDF is a smooth finish, which is not ideal for paint adhesion. To ensure your paint goes on smoothly and does not crack or peel later, rough up the MDF finish with medium-grit sandpaper. Do not sand too aggressively. MDF is easily damaged. You only want to remove the surface sheen of the door. When all doors are sanded, use a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth away any scratches or uneven spots in the finish. Wipe away the dust with a dry cloth before you prime the door.
Priming and Painting
A primer coat is essential for a successful refinishing. MDF doors should not be primed with a water-based product. The fibers will absorb the water and this can lead to the doors swelling and distorting. Instead, use an oil-, alcohol-, or lacquer-based primer. Apply the primer with a roller or a brush and allow it to dry according to the label recommendations. Once the doors are sealed with primer, you can use a water-based paint for the finish coat. Select a paint that has a sheen to ensure the cabinet doors are washable once the paint dries. Paint MDF cabinet doors with at least two coats of quality paint, whether you choose to use water-, lacquer- or oil-based products. Allow all of the doors to fully dry before you reattach the doors and hardware.
Additional Options
If your MDF cabinet doors are old or damaged, refinishing may not prove to be a long-term option. However, replacing your cabinets is a costly endeavor that you may not be prepared to jump into. A less expensive option for updating your cabinets is to have them refaced. Refacing consists of installing new doors and drawer fronts to your cabinets and covering these with a wood or plastic veneer that matches the cabinet base. While this option is less expensive than replacement, it does cost more than repainting and should be done by a professional.
About the Author
Renee Miller began writing professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the "Community Press" newspaper. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. Miller holds a diploma in social services from Clarke College in Belleville, Ontario.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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