What to coat MDF Wood with

cy93 · 05/27/2013, 11:28 PM

Hi Guys,

Need some advice on what to coat MDF wood with in order for it to be more water resistant; on doing some research I found an oil based polyurethane would work the best; not sure if something else would work better.

Here is a picture of where it is currently finished to. Btw the wood is just for looks as the tank is being supported by a steel stand.

cy93 · 05/28/2013, 04:31 AM

Can one of the mods perhaps move this to DIY?

keithhays · 05/28/2013, 04:35 AM

I have had good luck with the water based high gloss enamels; just make sure you use a good primer on all surfaces. I am curious how you are working on the stand with the tank sitting on top of it; you need so cross bracing or the legs could go in opposite directions.

gone fishin · 05/28/2013, 06:45 AM

He said the wood is for cosmetics. the tank is on a steel stand.

If you want it to stay natural looking the poly would work.

cap032 · 05/28/2013, 07:50 AM

Spar poly would probably be the strongest and hold up the best.

Fizz71 · 05/28/2013, 02:49 PM

I've used oil-based paints for all the things that had to be wood that I want to eventually paint or atleast seal, but I'm using "Tuff Board" (also know as PVC board) everywhere else. I bought it at Home Depot..it's a PVC composite board that cuts like wood...It's paint-able and already waterproof.

The downside with MDF is you need to be d*mn sure it's sealed which means multiple coats of oil based paints which really bulks up the wood...the tuff board is sleek and easy to work with...but offers no structural integrity to a tank stand which you say you don't need anyway.

cy93 · 05/29/2013, 02:41 AM

Yes I think I will go for the water based Spar polyurethane. From what I know; oil based poly's produce a yellowish hue which is not something I would want on white. Any recommendations on brand?

shifty51008 · 05/29/2013, 03:22 AM

Check out kiltz paint. It works great for sealing

cap032 · 05/29/2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cy93

Yes I think I will go for the water based Spar polyurethane. From what I know; oil based poly's produce a yellowish hue which is not something I would want on white. Any recommendations on brand?

I used Hellmans. Minwax would probably be good as well.

05/27/2013, 11:28 PM	#1
cy93 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 88	What to coat MDF Wood with Hi Guys, Need some advice on what to coat MDF wood with in order for it to be more water resistant; on doing some research I found an oil based polyurethane would work the best; not sure if something else would work better. Here is a picture of where it is currently finished to. Btw the wood is just for looks as the tank is being supported by a steel stand.

05/28/2013, 06:45 AM	#4
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	He said the wood is for cosmetics. the tank is on a steel stand. If you want it to stay natural looking the poly would work. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

05/28/2013, 07:50 AM	#5
cap032 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 611	Spar poly would probably be the strongest and hold up the best. __________________ CTI: 125g, 55g DIY sump, Sicce Syncra 3.0 return, 2x Vortech MP40, 2× Maxspect Razor 16k, RKL + w/ MLC lunar pods, Reef Octo Sro 2000int, Reef Octo AWC, Reef Dynamics BPR 135e

05/28/2013, 02:49 PM	#6
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	I've used oil-based paints for all the things that had to be wood that I want to eventually paint or atleast seal, but I'm using "Tuff Board" (also know as PVC board) everywhere else. I bought it at Home Depot..it's a PVC composite board that cuts like wood...It's paint-able and already waterproof. The downside with MDF is you need to be d*mn sure it's sealed which means multiple coats of oil based paints which really bulks up the wood...the tuff board is sleek and easy to work with...but offers no structural integrity to a tank stand which you say you don't need anyway. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

05/29/2013, 03:22 AM	#8
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Check out kiltz paint. It works great for sealing __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

05/28/2013, 04:31 AM	#2
cy93 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 88	Can one of the mods perhaps move this to DIY?

05/28/2013, 04:35 AM	#3
keithhays Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,259	I have had good luck with the water based high gloss enamels; just make sure you use a good primer on all surfaces. I am curious how you are working on the stand with the tank sitting on top of it; you need so cross bracing or the legs could go in opposite directions.

05/29/2013, 02:41 AM	#7
cy93 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 88	Yes I think I will go for the water based Spar polyurethane. From what I know; oil based poly's produce a yellowish hue which is not something I would want on white. Any recommendations on brand?