I’m going to be building a dresser for our baby room and my wife is concerned about having an environmentally- and kid-friendly finish on it. The carcase is going to be built from MDF and will be painted white, so I’m hoping some of the folks here might have suggestions for appropriate primer/sealers and paints that are water-based and low VOC. I’ve typically done clear oil-based sealers over hardwoods, so I’m a bit out of my element here, both in terms of a painted finish as well as finishing over MDF.
KILZ has a zero-VOC, water-based primer called KILZ Clean Start but I’m not sure if that’s the best thing over MDF. As for paints, what does the collective wisdom say in spraying a latex paint over the primer on MDF? I’m not aiming for a gloss finish but probably something closer to a semi-gloss.
I’m also interested in y’all’s thoughts about using a water-based primer over MDF. Obviously I’m concerned about raising the grain (if you can call it that on MDF 😉 with a water-based finish, so any tips on how to minimize that and get a smooth painted surface would be appreciated! I know an alcohold-based shellac wouldn’t swell the MDF fibers, but can I use that under a latex paint top coat?
Thanks,
Chris
Replies
Seeking environmentally friendly finishes is commendable, but I'm not sure that going to zero VOC is going to mean much outside of the industrial environment. First, using a waterborne primer will roughen the surface of the MDF requiring greater use of another product, with whatever manufacturing waste that generates. You can use dewaxed shellac as a primer, even for waterborne paints.. Then paints that use the term Latex on the label should be avoided. If you must use waterborne, you want an 100% acylic finish, generally found in the top of the line enamels of quality paints companies, such as Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore.
Secondly, the finish imparted by waterborne finishes isn't as durable, particularly with regard to using household cleaners on the surface as oil based finishes. If you have to strip and refinish for a second child you give up any savings to the environment. Personally, I would use a quality oil based enamel for greater longevity, ease of cleaning, and for that matter ease of application.
Waterborne no VOC doesn't automatically mean "safe". Different solvents are used, typically one of the glycol ethers (similar to anti-freeze.) The VOC's of an oil based finish will be sustantially gone within a week or so.
I'd also reconsider using MDF. It's not very durable, and can have other risks. In particular, you will have to search for, and pay more for, a formaldahyde free product. Plywood will have less formaldahyde, and be MUCH more durable. It is more likely to be around for a second child, or to pass to brother or sister or cousins.
My experience is that it will take a couple extra coats of primer/finish to hide the edge of plywood, just like with MDF. If you do use MDF, I've read more than once that wiping the edge with drywall compound, sanding when dry, and repeating will seal. Haven't tried it. I also expect oil based paint will cure harder than wb.
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