How to Paint Fiberboard Furniture
Medium density fiberboard provides several issues when it comes to painting. It usually comes laminated when it is used in pre-made furniture, and it is a porous material. So instead of the paint staying on the outside where you want it, the paint sinks into the board leaving an uneven surface. With a little prep work, though, fiberboard furniture can be painted with as flawless a finish as any other type of wood. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Sand over the glossy surface. If you are working with laminated fiberboard, it is best to get rid of that slick surface first. Sanding will give the board a coarse surface, which will allow the primer to stick instead of running off.
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Wipe down the surface to remove all dust. After sanding, there will be leftover debris on the surfaces of your furniture. This debris will mix in the primer, making it less effective and give it a lumpy finish. Remove it by gently dusting with a dry rag.
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Prime all of the surfaces that you will be painting. Use an oil-based primer which won't sink into the board as much as a water-based primer. Put on one coat with a paintbrush. Let it dry completely. Then add another coat.
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Paint with oil-based paint. Oil-based paint will work better with oil-based primer. Oil-based paint will also stick more effectively and last longer than water-based. It is harder to clean up, though, so be careful about drips while painting.
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Use extra coats. Since fiberboard is porous, some of the paint will still sink in no matter how much priming you do. It may take several coats before you have a smooth, even finish. Sanding gently between each layer of paint will help the paint stick to the surface, and you may be able to use a few less coats.
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