It happens that the surface of an MDF door loses its presentability. Fortunately, it can be restored to its attractive appearance. To do this, the MDF interior door is painted. Many are accustomed to resorting to the services of a master for this. But sometimes you need to save money. Then many people ask whether it is possible to paint MDF doors a different color at home with your own hands. To answer this, you need to understand how and what is used to paint MDF doors, what are the pitfalls and difficulties in this process.
Pros and cons of the material
Fiberboard is a popular type of raw material from which furniture and interior doors are created. Hardboard is obtained after pressing waste from the wood processing industry. The material is based on environmentally friendly shavings and wood chips. Products are treated with fungicides and antiseptics against insects and fungi.
The surface of door panels made of fiberboard is inconspicuous, so veneering or lamination technology is often used to make it decorative. After the procedure, the structure visually resembles the material from which the top layer was taken. Advantages of raw materials:
- Durability. If you follow the operating rules and timely care, hardboard will last 15-20 years.
- Soundproofing. High noise-reducing properties will protect you from noise.
- Strength. Models marked “ST” were reinforced with special fastening resins and stabilizing mixtures, which were added to the composition.
- Low price. Even the most expensive fiberboard door is cheaper than the solid wood option.
Fiberboards without a protective and decorative coating are afraid of moisture. If properly primed and painted, the structure will withstand direct exposure to water without deformation or cracking. Violation of the application and drying technology will negatively affect the performance of the hardboard door.
Design without decoration Source doorchange.ru
Fiberboard models without veneer or laminate are very porous, which increases the consumption of raw materials. Manufacturers impregnate the front parts of structures with a decorative coating with rosin. The oily film repels water and enamels based on it.
DIY installation
The installation of doors made of MDF differs little from similar structures made of other materials. You need to prepare the doorway by cleaning it and adjusting it to size. The box must be firmly inserted into the opening and securely fastened. MDF is capable of bending under the pressure of expanding polyurethane foam. You can avoid this trouble by using special brackets during installation. Or you can place durable plates between the canvas and the box to protect it from deformation. Sometimes a fully assembled door block is installed.
Although the material itself is moisture-resistant, manufacturers rarely laminate or paint the back of the box. This becomes a weak point as moisture penetrates from there. To protect the box from deformation, you need to coat its inside with silicone or impregnation yourself.
The next step is to fasten the loops and hang the canvas. Be sure to use a level. All distortions are eliminated. Then the platbands are installed and the fittings are cut in. Before starting work, it is informative to watch a video clearly showing the process.
Advice. When installing a door handle, it is recommended to do it on ties. Otherwise, over time it may be torn out of the plastic MDF.
How to paint
Most staining products in hardware stores are designed to work with natural wood. Due to the characteristics of the material, not every composition is suitable for application. To get a uniform surface, you need to choose the right coating material. If you don’t know how to paint a fiberboard door, we recommend studying the available varieties.
Nitro enamels
A durable product that is unpretentious in terms of surface quality will last for decades without changing its characteristics. After polymerization, a dense opaque film with high decorative properties is formed on the treated hardboard. The product is produced in different shades, which allows you to choose the look to suit the design of the room.
Nitro paints are made on the basis of chemical solvents. The suffocating smell of the coating does not disappear within 5-6 days, which is dangerous for people and pets. To avoid a strong aroma, it is better to restore an interior door made of fiberboard outside.
Strong paint for restoration Source superstroy.pro
Alkyd
Due to their low price and wide color palette, enamels are popular among ordinary users. Despite the fact that coloring is carried out in 2 layers, the enamel has very little consumption. After drying, a hard, smooth layer appears on the surface, resistant to wear and moisture, which is easy to care for.
Alkyd compositions have a pungent odor. In terms of suffocation, it is inferior to nitro paints, but it takes a very long time to dissipate. The disadvantages of the product include the long polymerization process. Under favorable conditions, the paint dries in 24 hours, red types - up to 2 days. The unpleasant stickiness on the surface persists for several weeks.
Popular type for coloring Source prom.ua
Acrylic
If the question arises of how to paint a fiberboard door, we recommend choosing acrylic types. Enamel is suitable for both wood and glass. The water-based coating has almost no odor, so residents will not have to leave the premises during restoration.
Preliminary cleaning of paint Source staratel21.ru
Features of various types of MDF overlays
In order to make a choice of MDF overlay for a metal door, you first need to understand what it can be. In production, MDF board is used, and its finishing is carried out using painting, veneering, lamination or coating with anti-vandal plastic.
Painted MDF overlays
Here, a special paint is used to protect the panel, which is resistant to chemicals, does not fade in the sun and resists mechanical damage quite well. This is the most budget option, suitable for indoor entrance doors.
Painted MDF overlays are the cheapest
Veneered MDF panels
This coating allows you to completely imitate natural wood in color and structure. Doors finished with it acquire a solid and beautiful appearance; in appearance they are almost impossible to distinguish from products made from solid wood. Both natural and eco-veneer can be used.
The advantages of such panels:
The disadvantage of this solution is that the panels are not resistant to severe mechanical and chemical damage, and this coating is also susceptible to abrasive. With constant high humidity, the panel may swell; prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause it to deteriorate. To restore the original characteristics, you will have to periodically open it with varnish.
Veneered MDF panels allow you to completely imitate solid wood
Veneered MDF panels are best used on the entrance doors of apartments located in multi-storey buildings.
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Laminated MDF panels
In this case, the MDF panel is covered with a special film. There is a large selection of films that can imitate a variety of materials. Most often they order wood-look lamination; it is cheaper than veneering, but this solution looks no less attractive.
The disadvantages of this option are that with constant high humidity, the panels can swell and crack; in addition, they do not tolerate large temperature changes. Such panels are also not recommended for installation on doors facing the street, but for structures located in entrances, offices, and entertainment centers, they are an excellent solution.
Laminated MDF panels allow you to imitate any materials
MDF panels with anti-vandal plastic
In this case, MDF panels are covered with durable plastic, so this option can be used for metal doors facing both indoors and outdoors.
The main advantages of such panels:
Since MDF panels coated with anti-vandal plastic resist damage well, they are usually used in shops, schools and other frequently visited premises. If you install them in your home, you won’t have to worry about damage from pets.
Usually MDF overlays are made for doors of standard sizes, but if you have a non-standard entrance door, you can always order individual production.
MDF panels with anti-vandal plastic are best suited for outdoor use
Video description
How to restore an old wooden door?
Varnishes for wood
The transparent composition gives the nondescript surface an aristocratic gloss or luxurious matte finish. Colorless options are applied to fiberboard that has been pre-treated with stain. Tinted wood varnishes already contain dye, so no pre-staining is necessary.
The product helps to emphasize the texture of the material. When working with hardboard, paintwork materials are combined with less durable paint, adding wear resistance to the coating. Water or solvent is used as a base. The latter types are very hard, but there is a chemical smell.
Is it possible to paint doors with acrylic paint?
It should be noted that acrylic paint is considered the best solution for painting interior structures. It is easy to apply to the canvas, and also has no toxic odor. ... To work with acrylic and oil paint, it is recommended to use a roller.
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How to choose a color
Knowing how to paint a fiberboard door, you need to choose the right shade. The element can merge with the design or become a noticeable accent of the room. The tone of the structure should be harmoniously combined with wall decoration, decor and furniture.
If the interior is kept in warm colors, then it is better to paint the interior door made of hardboard in natural colors. The wood-imitation canvas looks natural and does not strain the eye. The brown glossy finish looks richer than its matte counterparts.
How to choose a shade Source poly-dveri.ua
The door to the bedroom should be a little darker or lighter than the wallpaper. Options made from pastel shades look organic. In the nursery, the design repeats the design of the room, but in more muted colors. Drawings that move from the wall to the canvas are appropriate.
If the home contains interior items, then the interior door is made using artificial aging technology. For patination, use dark stain or metallic paint. The result is secured with transparent varnish for reliability.
If the room is decorated in cold colors, then the door between the rooms should be plain. The black model will become a bright spot in modern designs. The white design is a universal solution that will fit into any interior with a light floor or frames.
Cool design Source supermart.com.ua
The interior door should be painted to match the decor of the room. The block can match the drapes on the windows or furniture upholstery. The canvas looks original if it matches the color of the carpet or floor covering (linoleum, board).
Homemade patina Source cavk.ru
When starting to paint MDF doors at home, it’s worth finding out more
Sometimes you want to change the design of the MDF door leaf. This can be done in different ways: by purchasing a new door or painting the old one. For those who decide to take the second route, paint for MDF doors is sold, forming a uniform coating on the surface. You just need to decide on the desired color and characteristics of the paintwork in order to purchase the appropriate composition. If you want to radically transform your doors, it’s worth checking whether the surface can be lightened. The light canvas fits well into any interior.
MDF doors
Application technology
An interior door made of hardboard can quickly restore its attractiveness and shine. Decorativeness and durability depend on compliance with the rules of coloring. The procedure for wood fiber products was divided into four stages.
Preparatory process
Before painting interior doors made of fiberboard, you need to remove the structure from its hinges. The fasteners are unscrewed with a screwdriver or screwdriver. The fittings that do not need to be painted are unscrewed from the canvas:
- lock;
- pens;
- glass
We recommend covering holes from enamel penetration with rags or cotton wool. The old layer of paint is washed off using a special solvent. The swollen coating is peeled off with a spatula, then sanded with fine-grained sandpaper. When working with fiberboard, we do not recommend using a sander or grinder, otherwise the structure will crumble.
After processing, the canvas is wiped from fine dust and dirt with a damp cloth. Defects (cracks, chips) on the interior door are repaired with wood putty. After drying, the surface is leveled and sanded. Areas that will not be painted are hidden under construction tape.
Preliminary cleaning of paint Source staratel21.ru
Due to the peculiarities of their structure, hardboard canvases absorb paint 4 times more than wood, plastic or metal. In order to paint the door efficiently without overspending, the surface must be primed. The suspension is selected according to the characteristics of the paint. The solution is applied in 3-4 layers, drying each one before using again.
Tools
For quality painting you need the right tools. It is best to paint interior doors made of fiberboard with a roller. The device distributes the coloring composition evenly and economically. When working with enamels, preference is given to the fur model. Foam rubber options leave bubbles on the surface, and nitro paint will corrode the base.
A brush is an outdated tool that is difficult to apply finely. If you move inaccurately, traces of lint or smudges will appear on the door leaf. When working with an element, take several parts of different widths. The device is suitable for eliminating minor defects when painting decorations and volumetric parts.
How to paint Source nsk.pulscen.ru
What is needed for coloring?
List of everything you need to paint a plastic surface:
- Film for covering the surface of the floor, walls and ceiling (if the doors are high), as well as glass inserts in the door leaf (if any).
- Masking tape used to secure the film and protect the seals.
- Cleaning agent – regular or special for plastic.
- A soft, lint-free napkin made of natural fabric for impregnation.
- Primer.
- A sheet of fine sandpaper.
- Brush.
- Depending on the type of paint, a brush, roller or spray gun is prepared.
- Coloring agent.
- If painting with a roller, use a container for paint.
- Protective clothing to prevent paint from getting on the body.
Useful tips from the experts
To eliminate defects and errors when varnishing an interior door, follow the recommendations of the craftsmen:
- Use masking or paper tape. Wrap the product around door handles and other fittings. This will protect the elements from varnish and construction mixtures. Regular tape is prohibited. It will leave traces that are then impossible to get rid of.
- Choose mixtures and varnishes from the same manufacturer. Don’t forget about a trial application of paintwork.
- It is better to get rid of the old protective layer. This has a positive effect on the final appearance of the door and will extend its service life.
- Don't forget about safety precautions. Perform work wearing protective gloves. If your skin becomes irritated, wear protective clothing.
- Ventilate the room.
- After finishing work, allow the door to dry thoroughly: do not touch or load.
On doors made of birch, oak and pine, varnish is applied generously so that the surface is thoroughly saturated. Remove any remaining paint with a brush and acetone. It is better to protect the floor surface and other interior elements with rags, tape or paper to save time on cleaning the room.
It's easy to varnish interior doors. The process does not require a person to have deep knowledge in the painting field. It is enough to arm yourself with tools, choose the right building mixtures and paints, and properly prepare the work surface. Advice from the experts will help you approach each stage more professionally.
Is it possible to renew previously coated wooden door structures?
Only veneer sheets or wooden doors made of:
- oak;
- beech;
- mahogany;
- cedar;
- pine trees
There are times when the old varnish coating is worn out and damaged. There is no point in using paint here. It is better to apply a varnish composition, but of a darker shade.
New coating:
- disguises cracks, chips, traces of mold and mildew;
- will prevent the appearance of insects, putrefactive formations, and unpleasant odors (especially in the bathroom).
Very often people change the varnish layer when the room is undergoing renovation. This allows you to get doors in the same style as the entire interior.
