Piano Black on MDF - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

pjoseph · 04-25-2009, 07:35 PM

I am looking for some help to finish a speaker box with a piano black finish

I have read a lot on the later stages like clearing, sanding, buffing but need help on the earlier stages after primer.

What kind of paint should I use?
I have no experience spraying paint so will a brush give me a smooth finish I do not want to see brush lines?

earlinjax · 04-25-2009, 09:33 PM

Mind you I have not tried this, but the blackest black I can get is with black leather dye. Like I said, never tried it on MDF and it has no real sheen. You would have to finish it with lacquer or poly. I think it would be worth the effort to see if that is what you are looking for.

Earl

JohnB · 04-26-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

I have no experience spraying paint so will a brush give me a smooth finish I do not want to see brush lines?

Nope.
I have seen some excellent finishes done with a brush, but even the best, if you look carefully you can see the strokes.
Earl has a great idea, as a good quality poly will minimise brush marks.

The alternative is to use the Poly over stain or use enamel paint and after giving it a week or so to harden properly, cut it back with wet and dry paper, cutting compound and wax it up like you'd do a car.

pjoseph · 07-03-2009, 11:03 PM

thanks for the info.

I just stopped by an auto body shop and talked to a guy there, he told me that i can do it with spray paint. he recommended first apply primer and sand with 260 grit then apply a semi gloss black and sand with 800 or 1000 grit.
He said then to apply a clear coat and sand with 2000 grit then wax.

does this sound correct?

If yes can someone recommend a brand of primer, paint, and clear?

thanks

unixpro · 07-04-2009, 01:07 AM

Yeah, that sounds like a car guy

If you follow those directions, you will have an absolutely beautiful finish that will probably be hard as nails. It is a fair bit of work, though.

As for recommendations, I'd suggest that you go back and ask the auto guy again. Those guys sometimes use different paints, or paints that are mixed in different ways. Take him a 6-pack to pay for his time.

pjoseph · 07-04-2009, 01:47 AM

I first went there to see how much they would charge to paint the box and he said they really dont do stuff like that, plus he also said the mdf will soak up a ton of paint.
Then he started telling me that I can do it myself and how I should go about it which is what i posted earlier.
When I asked him what kind of primer he did not know a specific kind he said the stuff hey use is like $300 a gallon which is out of my range.
He made it sound like any primer and semi gloss paint should work. He said that it is the clear coat which will give me the shine that i am looking for.

So I figure If i could get some recommendations on paint brands or what type I could take it from there.

thanks again

JohnB · 07-04-2009, 04:25 AM

You are right, it's the clear that will give the shine.
I'd suggest you go to a paint shop and purchase all the materials from the same place, as they should all be compatible with each other.
Eg, you can not put an acrylic, thinners based product over an oil (enamel) based product as it will cause bubbling and crazing.
A primer, is designed to give a base for the top coats to adhere to, so you will not need heaps on the mdf. Maybe a bit of spray putty to smooth out the end grain.

Just never think, Oh well that never came out to well, I'll fix it up with the next coat.
the final finish is only as as good as the prep and previous coats.

smw6442 · 07-04-2009, 05:12 AM

Hi Earl, I've been using behr paint from Home Depot called Pure Black. i use it to paint on backgrounds for some of the portraits i do its a very true black they use only black die to make it..I use a paint roller to put it on and make a nice finish..steve

pjoseph · 07-07-2009, 06:34 AM

any feedback on using a Aerosol pistol

http://www.paints4u.com/ProductDetai...productID=5539

tomsteve · 10-02-2009, 05:27 AM

hhhmmm... one thing to remember is black will show any defect of the surface. so prep is quite important iffen ya want it to look great. lacquer based paints really arent that durable. a urethane based paint holds up pretty good and really isnt that hard to use. if i am not mistaken, the rattle cans have less solids in them than if bought in, say, a quart size can. iffen yer gonna use the rattle cans, i would suggest what was stated earlier and buy the paint from an automotive store that specializes in paint products. i have had pretty darn good results with 2 coats of color, followed by a LIGHT coat of clear while the base coat is still tacky, followed by a 2nd coat of clear that is heavier.
wet sanding with 2000 grit would be good if there is any orange peel. meguiars makes some pretty good products for buffing out the finish to a deep shine. iffen yer interested, you can go to Car Care Products: Car Waxes to Leather Cleaners, Meguiar's the Leader in Car and Surface Care since 1901 and get into the forum and find all kinds of info on finishing. good luck with the project!!

04-25-2009, 07:35 PM	#1
pjoseph Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6	Piano Black on MDF I am looking for some help to finish a speaker box with a piano black finish I have read a lot on the later stages like clearing, sanding, buffing but need help on the earlier stages after primer. What kind of paint should I use? I have no experience spraying paint so will a brush give me a smooth finish I do not want to see brush lines?

07-04-2009, 04:25 AM	#7
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,859	You are right, it's the clear that will give the shine. I'd suggest you go to a paint shop and purchase all the materials from the same place, as they should all be compatible with each other. Eg, you can not put an acrylic, thinners based product over an oil (enamel) based product as it will cause bubbling and crazing. A primer, is designed to give a base for the top coats to adhere to, so you will not need heaps on the mdf. Maybe a bit of spray putty to smooth out the end grain. Just never think, Oh well that never came out to well, I'll fix it up with the next coat. the final finish is only as as good as the prep and previous coats. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" I got holes in both of my shoes Well I'm a walking case of the blues Saw a dollar yesterday But the wind blew it away Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-25-2009, 09:33 PM	#2
earlinjax Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 558	Mind you I have not tried this, but the blackest black I can get is with black leather dye. Like I said, never tried it on MDF and it has no real sheen. You would have to finish it with lacquer or poly. I think it would be worth the effort to see if that is what you are looking for. Earl

07-03-2009, 11:03 PM	#4
pjoseph Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6	thanks for the info. I just stopped by an auto body shop and talked to a guy there, he told me that i can do it with spray paint. he recommended first apply primer and sand with 260 grit then apply a semi gloss black and sand with 800 or 1000 grit. He said then to apply a clear coat and sand with 2000 grit then wax. does this sound correct? If yes can someone recommend a brand of primer, paint, and clear? thanks

07-04-2009, 01:07 AM	#5
unixpro I need more weekend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Seattle Area Posts: 615	Yeah, that sounds like a car guy If you follow those directions, you will have an absolutely beautiful finish that will probably be hard as nails. It is a fair bit of work, though. As for recommendations, I'd suggest that you go back and ask the auto guy again. Those guys sometimes use different paints, or paints that are mixed in different ways. Take him a 6-pack to pay for his time.

07-04-2009, 01:47 AM	#6
pjoseph Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6	I first went there to see how much they would charge to paint the box and he said they really dont do stuff like that, plus he also said the mdf will soak up a ton of paint. Then he started telling me that I can do it myself and how I should go about it which is what i posted earlier. When I asked him what kind of primer he did not know a specific kind he said the stuff hey use is like $300 a gallon which is out of my range. He made it sound like any primer and semi gloss paint should work. He said that it is the clear coat which will give me the shine that i am looking for. So I figure If i could get some recommendations on paint brands or what type I could take it from there. thanks again

07-04-2009, 05:12 AM	#8
smw6442 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 31	Hi Earl, I've been using behr paint from Home Depot called Pure Black. i use it to paint on backgrounds for some of the portraits i do its a very true black they use only black die to make it..I use a paint roller to put it on and make a nice finish..steve

07-07-2009, 06:34 AM	#9
pjoseph Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6	any feedback on using a Aerosol pistol http://www.paints4u.com/ProductDetai...productID=5539

10-02-2009, 05:27 AM	#10
tomsteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 407	hhhmmm... one thing to remember is black will show any defect of the surface. so prep is quite important iffen ya want it to look great. lacquer based paints really arent that durable. a urethane based paint holds up pretty good and really isnt that hard to use. if i am not mistaken, the rattle cans have less solids in them than if bought in, say, a quart size can. iffen yer gonna use the rattle cans, i would suggest what was stated earlier and buy the paint from an automotive store that specializes in paint products. i have had pretty darn good results with 2 coats of color, followed by a LIGHT coat of clear while the base coat is still tacky, followed by a 2nd coat of clear that is heavier. wet sanding with 2000 grit would be good if there is any orange peel. meguiars makes some pretty good products for buffing out the finish to a deep shine. iffen yer interested, you can go to Car Care Products: Car Waxes to Leather Cleaners, Meguiar's the Leader in Car and Surface Care since 1901 and get into the forum and find all kinds of info on finishing. good luck with the project!!