The door leaf often has to be changed during repairs - it does not fit into the new interior design. Painting interior doors made of MDF has its own technological nuances. A large assortment of varnishes and paints only complicates the choice. Four compositions on different bases can be recommended for work in residential premises. Due to the caustic fumes, a large percentage of the compositions are applicable only for outdoor use.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Why varnish
Coating MDF panels with varnish is required quite often. Why? There are several reasons.
- The varnished surface easily copes with increased ambient temperatures. For example, you can place hot dishes on a varnished table made of MDF.
- Using varnish you can create various decorative effects. It can be glossy, matte-silky surface, mother-of-pearl, etc. It is noteworthy that similar effects are used for both interior and exterior decoration.
- High-quality varnishes will not make MDF panels less environmentally friendly.
- The coating significantly increases the service life of the product.
There is one drawback. Varnished or painted structures/slabs are more expensive than regular ones.
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
How to paint MDF doors at home?
Sometimes the interior of a house becomes boring and boring.
Then there is a desire to change it or supplement it with something new. Doors are especially susceptible to aging and fading of paint. Although MDF doors are the most reliable and durable, their frequent use erases the shine and beauty and leaves minor scratches. Such doors are solid and are made by pressing waste lumber, so painting MDF at home is difficult, but possible. And at the same time it will give your home an updated look.
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
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.
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.
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.
Replacing the MDF panel on the door
A situation may arise when the MDF trim on the metal entrance door has been damaged and needs to be replaced. This process is simple and you can handle it yourself.
You need to measure the canvas, after which it can be purchased at any specialized store. In addition, you will need a solution for degreasing the metal door and means to protect it from corrosion.
Before replacing the MDF lining, all fittings must be removed
This simple procedure allows you to completely renew your metal front door and give it a beautiful and aesthetic appearance. In addition, the presence of MDF linings can significantly increase the heat and sound insulation characteristics of entrance doors, so living in such a house becomes more comfortable and cozy.
