How to paint MDF board with texture?

[bella14]

Hi there, i'm building an outdoor bench/cupboard to put my BBQ on and also includes a cavity for my bar fridge. I have made it out of treated pine with MDF board as the exterior for the time being. I am looking for options on how to add texture to the MDF and deciding whether i'll add some kind of thin cladding or if i can just paint the MDF. If i go ahead with painting, i'm wanting to add texture/rendered look if possible. Is there a paint that provides texture all in one or do I have to render first? If I render can I do so directly on MDF?

[EricL]

Hello @bella14 

Thank you for sharing your question about painting your MDF board. It will be necessary to clad your cabinet and doors in Durasheet 2400 x 900 x 4.5mm Fibre Cement Cladding 2.16sqm as MDF is not listed as a substrate that textured paint can go onto. I recommend looking at the Dulux Textured Paint Range or the Dunlop 12.5L Render Texture Coat both products will produce the rendered look you are after. My best advice is to use the Dulux 4L Texture Paint Primer if you decide to use the Dulux textured paint.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[MitchellMc]

Hi @bella14,

I just wanted to point out that MDF is not a good choice for use outdoors. If any water at all gets to it, it will start to expand immediately and decompose. It would be my advice that you reconsider your build, removing the MDF and replacing it with Fibre cement board as Eric suggests. Attach it directly to your treated pine structure. That way you'll be using products suitable for outside use. 

I'm all for trying to get away with using products that might not quite fit requirements, but using MDF out in the weather is not one of them. I feel you'll put in the effort to finish your project only for the MDF to start failing within a short time.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[bella14]

Thank you Eric!

[bella14]

Thanks @MitchellMc . The bench will be undercover outdoors, but thank you for pointing that out. Would it be okay to add the fibre cement sheeting on top of the MDF or must it be replaced?

[MitchellMc]

If the MDF will be exposed to moisture/water I wouldn't even consider using it @bella14. Outside in an enclosed space where rain will never hit it, you could potentially use it if you entirely coated it with exterior paint to prevent moisture from touching it. However, I still wouldn't recommend its use as MDF is like a sponge and will soak up any moisture it comes in contact with. Typically, MDF is only even used internally as any water it is exposed to immediately starts breaking down the fibres and glues.

Once painted, you could clad over it with fibre cement and ensure there are no gaps that water could enter through the cement sheets. Though, I'm concerned that you could still run into issues. My advice would be to remove it if possible.

Mitchell