
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories Join for Free Log In

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping and Caravanning Equipment

The Equipment Forum is proudly sponsored by Wolfbox

Wolfbox specialise in premium mirror dash cams, portable jump starters, and vehicle safety accessories, and known for products like the Wolfbox G900 Pro with it's 12-inch touchscreen rear-view mirror dash cam. Wolfbox products are designed to enhance driving safety, with a focus on producing cutting-edge technology for modern drivers. Find out more here

Topic: mdf table

Post Reply

sorenlorensen

21/7/2014 at 2:23pm
Location: Peak District
Outfit: 5m Bell

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/1/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 115

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

I have a bare mdf table for our bell tent and I just wanted to know what I should paint it up with to properly seal it.... will regular oil-based undercoat work or will it not 'stick' properly to the mdf?
I know this perhaps a little off topic for this forum but I know that lots of you are very knowledgeable and a lot more practical than me!
thanks in advance for any help
jo

ianclose

21/7/2014 at 2:32pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/3/2012

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 374

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

This works well to seal the surface.

sorenlorensen

21/7/2014 at 2:50pm
Location: Peak District
Outfit: 5m Bell

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/1/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 115

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

ah I didn't realise there was a specific product for it. That is really helpful, thankyou!

david8858

21/7/2014 at 4:14pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI H

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 01/2/2013

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1471

Site Reviews Total:	8

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	2
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	7
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	5
Site Nights 2021:	4
Site Nights 2020:	0

I don't know if you have a Boyes store near you. They sell plasticated fabric on a roll suitable for making table cloths with.

I removed the supplied top of our caravan table and replaced it with some much lighter and slightly smaller MDF and then stapled this stuff too it. Its easily washable and you get to pick any fabric pattern they've got so we use a cheesy red and white check.

Something like this

Its only about 8 quid a metre in Boyes.

-------------
Best Regards

David

Deserter

21/7/2014 at 4:15pm
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Vango Mira 500 & Abi Sunstar

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/5/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 43
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

You don't need the special primers, a good coat of polyurethane varnish will seal it just as well, or for that matter a good quality oil based gloss, you need to thin your first few coats though as MDF will drink it up.

The thing to remember is that MDF will expand if it gets wet, and that means you'll need to seal it all round including inside any joints. If the MDF is either green or has a green core then your lucky as its moisture resistant to start with (still requires a top coat though).

For reference, My experience is from my profession (Cabinet Maker).

Forum Sponsor

sorenlorensen

21/7/2014 at 10:25pm
Location: Peak District
Outfit: 5m Bell

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/1/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 115

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

thank you so much everyone, this is all really useful.

it definitely doesn't have a green core so I will make sure it is sealed all round.

this site is full of such lovely helpful people, thankyou!

chappers2341

21/7/2014 at 10:41pm
Location: Oxford
Outfit: helsport Kongsvold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 12/7/2011

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 818
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	11

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

yep most primers wont actually seal the MDF but will make painting it with a gloss paint much easier and more effective

carol benham

22/7/2014 at 1:27pm
Location: South Staffs
Outfit: Vango Ventanas Cabanon Andorra & Calvi

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 14/4/2003

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 366

Site Reviews Total:	4

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	1
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	7
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

In the old days when I made my own furniture with MDF (much to my dad's annoyance as a cabinet maker) I used to just give it a coat of watered down PVA followed by cheap white emulsion then a couple of coats of coloured emulsion followed by a water based varnish (or not depending what I was using it for) but you do have to cover every bit of it or the water gets in and expands it.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Upcoming Event

Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.

5523 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Tent Reviews]

[Contact Us]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026