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Hi all,
This goes out to anyone with MDF building experience.

I've got a pretty cool bunker that needs painting but I'm not sure about how to go about it. The roof comes off but I don't know if I should try to paint the inside as well.

And how does MDF take regular spray primer? I've got a can of MDF primer but it's a bit messy and awkward.

Thanks!

Seal the MDF first by painting on a thin coat or two of watered down PVA glue. Place in front of a fan to speed up the drying time. Once sealed, you can paint it however you want.

And honestly, it'll take a paint/primer combo perfectly fine. I've zero issue painting MDF directly with any good primer so far. Had excellent luck with Army Painter (no need to seal, etc.).

Depends on what you use.

Do not use craft paints, and sure as hell don't water paints down if you're painting by hand.

Would the PVA not make the MDF warp? That's a lot of water on something that I've heard doesn't like water.

I've got a few tester pots of interior house paint in a nice grey, would that work for it as well?

 anyname121 wrote:
Would the PVA not make the MDF warp? That's a lot of water on something that I've heard doesn't like water.

I've got a few tester pots of interior house paint in a nice grey, would that work for it as well?

Thin coats (two, for example). Don't slather the glue/water on. Otherwise, you can definitely prime it with any 'sealing' primer and carry on from there (instead of sealing with glue).

Cheers!

Two coats, that's always the secret. I'll give that a go and keep it thin.

My other question, should I paint the inside? The roof comes off but it's more of a LOS blocking cube than anything.

If you're on the fence about the interior? Just prime it black and move on.

That's a good shout on the inside.

The building comes with door and window pieces, and I was thinking about sticking those on to cover any holes. It'd make sealing and spraying easier. What do you reckon on that?

 anyname121 wrote:
That's a good shout on the inside.

The building comes with door and window pieces, and I was thinking about sticking those on to cover any holes. It'd make sealing and spraying easier. What do you reckon on that?

If you do it before painting probably wood glue. If after probably super glue (CA).

It's built but not painted. I'll stick the doors on and get on sealing it.

Thanks guys! Definitely got some good ideas on how to work with it now.