Plasti Dip is an excellent option for protecting the paint on surfaces, and it also maintains it. Plasti Dip is an easy-to-use item that creates a rubbery grip for tools, wooden projects, and electronic devices. It gives a smooth, pliable, and colorful coating to all surfaces.
It provides an insulating layer that provides and enhances grip for items. Plasti Dip coatings cover imperfections pretty well while providing a clean and smooth appearance. It is a versatile item that can work on almost all surfaces, but there are situations where it might not work.
For example, if you are using it on the surface of an old vehicle, the condition of the vehicle’s clear coat may affect the way the Plasti Dip bonds, peels, and covers.
It will help if you carry out a test on the surface before you begin. Plasti Dip gives a wonderful coating experience, which is why it is used by many. We’ll explore the possibility of applying Plasti Dip over MDF.
What Is Plasti Dip?
Plasti Dip is a special air-dry rubber coating that gives a flexible, non-slip, peelable, insulating, and durable coverage. It provides a wide range of coating solutions, from home improvement to automobile customization. Plasti Dip gives a fantastic satin finish to all surfaces.
Although in situations where items coated with Plasti Dip are exposed to high humidity, you can experience a cloudy or hazy finish.
You can try to avoid this problem or salvage it by adding up to 5 to 10% of naphtha to the Plasti Dip. Plasti Dip can be used on cars to change the look of wheels and trims. It is 100% removable, easy to use, and cost-effective. You can use it to change the color of your car temporarily, and it can also be sprayed on like regular paint.
It is a fantastic tool for the decoration of exterior surfaces of the material, and it helps to maintain the finish on the body. Plasti Dip can withstand extensive sunlight and heat from other sources, and it can also withstand high freezing temperatures.
Benefits Of Using Plasti Dip
- It remains stretchy and flexible over surfaces.
- It protects items against moisture, abrasion, acids, salts, and corrosion.
- It provides a controlled and comfortable grip on materials.
- It does not crack or become brittle in intense weather conditions.
- It is very peelable or removable on most surfaces.
What Is MDF?
MDF is an acronym for medium-density fiberboard. It rivals the versatility and affordability of plywood and other similar engineered wooden panels. MDF is a fantastic item to work with, unlike other wooden materials.
It is devoid of grains, knots, and even warping, and this makes it easier to saw due to its smooth surface. It leaves no splinters, tear-outs, or burns during sawing. It is an excellent option for light carpentry projects like trimming and shelving.
Composition Of MDF
MDF is composed of sawdust, wood shavings, and all other pieces and bits of wood that are created as a residue of industrial milling. The wood fibers are dehydrated, mixed with wax and resins, and then formed into panels.
These panels are compressed and then become rigid with a hard shell under intense heat and high pressure. At the final production stage, massive machines sand the panels down, giving them a smooth finish and cutting them into various dimensions.
Benefits Of Using MDF
Using MDF for carpentry purposes is the same as working with natural wood. There are no special tools or new skills needed. MDF is more flexible when sawing and during the production of detailed work; this is in contrast to ordinary solid lumber.
For milder carpentry projects like cabinetry and cupboard and bookcases production. It is cost-effective and user-friendly. Its surface accepts paints correctly, which makes it an excellent item for the application of Plasti Dip, and it also provides a fitting base for thin veneer layers.
Can You Apply Plasti Dip On MDF?
MDF is a pretty porous material, and when Plasti Dip is applied to its surface, it absorbs it quickly in the first coat. This makes it hard to remove easily, unlike its application over clear coats like cars.
However, applying a heavy coat of Plasti Dip on the surface and a few coats after it dries will offer a beautiful rubber coating.
The durability of the Plasti Dip depends on how many coats you put on the MDF’s surface. If you spray the Plasti Dip on the MDF, a maximum of four light coats will give you a nice satin finish.
Plasti Dip sticks to MDF, but the edge grain will require more of the material. Plasti Dip will give you a nice finish on all parts of the MDF asides from the edges of the panel. However, it gives it a nice rubbery matte finish at the end result.
In some cases where the MDF is laminated and has a plastic feeling, the Plasti Dip will work better and peel well when needed. For a raw MDF, the Plasti Dip will get into the pores, and you won’t be able to peel it off after it is applied.
Sealing MDF To Prevent Distortion and Swelling
It is essential to deal with the surfaces and edges of the MDF to prevent distortion and frustration when finishing items built from MDF. The cover and the edges of MDF should be primed and sealed correctly before applying paint.
This makes sure it does not seek or distort. If an MDF item were exposed to high humidity or water, moisture would see under it and cause its sections to swell.
The edges of the MDF panels significantly absorb paint. It is vital to seal the edges, especially if you have route details. You can use glue, oil-based primers, drywall compounds, or an acrylic paint sealer.
This will help prevent the edges from swelling. The goal is to keep moisture to a minimum so you can use whichever primer dry the fastest in the humidity of your environment.
Sealing With Oil-based Primers
These filling primers are great alternatives for priming or sealing MDF edges. After application, the edges have to be sanded down with fine grit and then dried thoroughly. Stain covering primers have thicker textures and can be used for flat and detailed surfaces and edges.
Generally, primers used for sealing should have solvent materials instead of water-based ones. Enamel primers work perfectly for sealing MDF surfaces only if you apply thin coats and do not apply many layers that will run or drip as the enamel or panel dries.
It would help if you avoided using thicker single-coat enamel sprays that may cause you to lose precise lines. It is essential to keep the primer layer as thick as possible and choose a primer color that will look well under the top coat you would use.
Sealing With Primer and Drywall compound
A fantastic method of filling the surface and edges of MDF involves applying a thin coat of drywall compound to the edges. Wipe the drywall compound or primer off very evenly. Afterward, sand it while the edge is dry, then cover it with paint or any topcoat.
Sealing With a Spray-on Lacquer
A clear or colored spray lacquer can be applied as a primer over the MDF surface, providing a good result. Most spray-on lacquers create a very smooth coating to which some craft paint and Plasti Dip adhere well.
Spray-on lawyers are designed for exterior finishes, and it is crucial to test the top coat you would use over the lacquer to ensure it adheres well. When working with spray-on lacquer, avoid heat sources and stay in a well-ventilated environment.
Sealing With a PVA Glue
It is possible to seal MDF edges and surfaces with thin coats of Carpenter’s or PVA glue. However, some PVA glue products must be diluted with liquids like water to get a thin coat on your MDF.
How To Coat Plasti Dip Over MDF
- Use a nice finish like shellac on the MDF. It penetrates the MDF and gives it an extra protection
- Apply two coats on the surface and three coats on the edges. Let it dry, and then recoat.
- Sand with fine-grit paper to give a smooth surface.
- Spray the Plasti Dip to provide a satin finish. Apply two coats or more if that would be necessary.
Note: You can also use a primer or a sanding sealer instead of shellac. They are fast drying and can help give extra protection, and can act as a beautiful base for Plasti Dip.
Other Uses of Plasti Dip
– Temporary Car Coating
Plasti Dip is one of the most common products used for temporary car coating. It can be used on the wheels, trims, wing mirrors, and badges, or you can coat the entire exterior of your car. It provides robust protection and can be removed easily.
– Waterproofing Boats
Plasti Dip has been successfully used to waterproof old inflatable kayaks that have started letting water seep in. It can also be applied to the kayak’s skin to waterproof it.
– Dipping Tool Handles
Plasti Dip was initially invented for dipping tool handles, and now it has numerous uses. You can dip your tool handles in Plasti Dip to give a durable and protective effect.
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