My friend and I are making some custom speaker boxes to be used at home.
They are made from 25mm MDF and I am considering how to finish them.
A lot of effort has been put in to these so I want a nice looking durable finish,
ideally one I can apply myself.
Has anyone got any suggestions ?
MDF Speaker Box Covering
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mangocrazy
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Re: MDF Speaker Box Covering
There's always iron-on veneer in a variety of finishes, or if you have a spray gun, you could paint them in the colour of your choice. You'd need MDF primer, then undercoat and top coat. Probably be best to remove the drive units first.
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Count Steer
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Re: MDF Speaker Box Covering
I might try experimenting with stain and/or coloured varnish on some cut-off pieces.
Did something like that with some Kef Kit 3's that I put together some years ago.
Did something like that with some Kef Kit 3's that I put together some years ago.
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Silly Car
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Re: MDF Speaker Box Covering
Having used a lot of MDF in recent months, it is the backbone of the 8” architraves I’ve been replicating and installing, I can heartedly recommend the following on any cut, shaped edges aka ‘end grain’:
Sand ‘end grain’ with 120 grit sand paper until it looks lightly polished
Prime end grain with filler primer, I’ve used Ankerstuy high build water based primer to good effect, but normal primer works but you need to sand, repeat, sand repeat more often
Sand, paint, sand, paint until you get a solid wood like finish. High build primer appears to have talc or similar in it which bulks it up and fills voids and also clogs sandpaper
Maker sure you ‘break all arris edges’ i.e. slighted round over / bevel any corners as this helps paint stick
Use any primer of your choice on everything, then sand to 180 before undercoating then sand with 240 before top coating. Higher grit papers may be necessary if you are aiming for a high gloss finish.
You’ll need a hard wearing paint system, I’m using Teknos Aqua 2600 semi matt topcoat for the wood finish in the house as this and the filler primer both give great results whether using a brush or airless sprayer.
Eggshell paints tend to be hard wearing, other than the paints I’ve mentioned above, used as I couldn’t find any other high build water based filler primers and the top coat colour matches the paint on the windows and doors I’ve fitted, I’ve had good results with Johnstones trade Aqua paints. Johnstones have trade centres dotted around the country but I’ve often found B&M, Amazon and https://www.decoratingcentreonline.co.uk/who happen to be local to me but do ship, more competitive.
Sand ‘end grain’ with 120 grit sand paper until it looks lightly polished
Prime end grain with filler primer, I’ve used Ankerstuy high build water based primer to good effect, but normal primer works but you need to sand, repeat, sand repeat more often
Sand, paint, sand, paint until you get a solid wood like finish. High build primer appears to have talc or similar in it which bulks it up and fills voids and also clogs sandpaper
Maker sure you ‘break all arris edges’ i.e. slighted round over / bevel any corners as this helps paint stick
Use any primer of your choice on everything, then sand to 180 before undercoating then sand with 240 before top coating. Higher grit papers may be necessary if you are aiming for a high gloss finish.
You’ll need a hard wearing paint system, I’m using Teknos Aqua 2600 semi matt topcoat for the wood finish in the house as this and the filler primer both give great results whether using a brush or airless sprayer.
Eggshell paints tend to be hard wearing, other than the paints I’ve mentioned above, used as I couldn’t find any other high build water based filler primers and the top coat colour matches the paint on the windows and doors I’ve fitted, I’ve had good results with Johnstones trade Aqua paints. Johnstones have trade centres dotted around the country but I’ve often found B&M, Amazon and https://www.decoratingcentreonline.co.uk/who happen to be local to me but do ship, more competitive.
Re: MDF Speaker Box Covering
Thanks Everyone 
I went for some speaker cabinet texture paint which I will put on using a textured roller.
Will put up some pics when they are finished, will likely be in a couple of months as I can only
spend a couple of hours each Saturday on them.
I went for some speaker cabinet texture paint which I will put on using a textured roller.
Will put up some pics when they are finished, will likely be in a couple of months as I can only
spend a couple of hours each Saturday on them.