Has anyone painted MDF cupboards rather than get them sprayed? Spray quote is a LOT

[Starspangledrodeo]

Hi I’m looking for advice, we’ve just had MDF cupboards made and wall panelling added. The quote to spray them is £2k, I can’t really afford this, so am wondering if anyone has had success painting Mdf themselves?

Yes we did. wanted it spayed but the bit attached the wall couldn't be sprayed and DH didn't want different levels of finish next to each other. Worked fine but was a faff as had to do a coat each night after kids in bed! But actually painting ok.

Oh that’s good to know @ThreeFeetTall thank you. Can I asked what primer and paint you used please?

I have, it was a pain but looks fine. We used Little Greene all surface primer followed by LG eggshell.

We’ve just had some built and my decorator painted them when doing the rest of the room. I can say how much it was just for that as I only have a price for the full job but he’s painted all walls, ceilings, skirtings and other woodwork including the 2 large MDF cupboards for just under £500 including materials

Wow @Hoppinggreen that seems like a bargain!

It seems that painting them ourselves and getting a decent finish is possible then, I just need to do some more research I guess.

I know, he’s brilliant and so lovely too.
I want to keep him forever and ask if he will be my Dad

We used zinsser bullseye primer and V33 cupboard paint.

We also used a sealant but can't remember what. 2 years and it still looks good.

absolutely you can do either. Spray is a tougher and smoother finish, no brush marks. So can look a bit more modern and may resist chipping more .

However if it does chip it’s easier to touch up hand painted because the brushed touch up will show more on sprayed finish than on a hand painted finish.

Also if you are fussy about colour - the spray company will use a colour matched spray paint that works with their machines, rather than the exact paint you have chosen, and it’s not always a 100% match.

After painting mdf shelving myself this year, I've said I'll never do it again and will always go for the spray option.

It took 3 coats of zinsser primer and 5 coats of interior wood paint. I still wasn't happy with the finish so I ended up doing another 3 coats of frenchic as a last resort.

It now looks great but was such a pain in the arse!

I’m a bit confused about what type of primer to use, some sites seem to say water based is ok and others to use something like zinsser

That sounds like a nightmare @cataline, do you think if you used french chic in the first place it would’ve needed less coats? Just trying to figure out what brand paint to use.

You could hire an airless sprayer

The primer is needed because, unless it's MR (moisture resistant) MDF, it'll just soak up anything else and the edges go all 'fluffy'. I think that's why water based primers aren't great.

You also have to lightly sand between coats.

I think if I'd have done primer then Frenchic, it may have been easier

@justasking111 i think I’d be far too nervous of using a sprayer myself, for visions of spraying everything in my path!

Visions of the Mr Bean episode…

Lots of people on the Frenchic Fan page on Facebook have painted their kitchens with the Alfresco indoor/outdoor range. No primer needed and great results.

Not onto bare mdf though!

I used MDF primer (it goes on a bit like water - you can see what you've done as it looks darker and shinier when it's dry), then F&B undercoat, then F&B interior wood/metal eggshell. It looks fine.

Yes, I did. Took a lot of coats but looked great! I used Dulux Difficult Surfaces primer (2 coats) and the Dulux Satinwood (I think another 3 coats).

@cataline a lot of people using Frenchic haven't used the recommended 'tough coat' first and the results are as good, most stating that the mdf didn't soak up an excessive amount of paint.

I was very disappointed when I moved in here to find my 'wooden' cupboards are vinyl wrapped. I melted the bottom of a cupboard with the toaster on my first morning!

Not kitchen cupboards but wardrobe,
chest drawers, side cupboards

I used Frenchic paint Lazy range.
you lightly sand,
wash off with sugar soap to get all surface clean
use a small 6”flat roller( nit the fluffy one)
do one coat, let it dry an hour(don’t put it on thick, less is more)
then 2 coat, let it dry hour
continue until desired coat, do not put it on thicker in order to do it quicker
each lighter coat is so so much better

mine came out excellent
have a look on Frenchic facebook page, loads off pics & ideas

I also did front door in Alfresco
and fireplace & hearth

I personally stained my cabinets Ipswitch Pine.

MDF is so easy to paint, easier than any other surface. Don't sand mdf though!!!! Just prime and top coat with eggshell! You can just roll it on with a smooth roller and use a brush for corners. And no sanding in between coats, mdf is just glue mixed sawdust so you will just rough it up. F&B primer&undercoat followed by F&B interior eggshell is my favourite for mdf, although I found Neptune eggshell works great, too. Or any furniture paint, just make sure it doesn't require a seperate top coat like varnish or wax (like most chalk paints do).

I have done lounge units with French chic.
Would love to do kitchen but worried.
Do you take the doors off?
Would I need to peel off the laminate?