I bought a metal shelving unit that uses particle board to put on top of the
structure. The particle board, of course, is unfinished.
As I will be at least putting a coat of primer on the particle board, I am
looking for a way to seal up the edges.
I have seen references to using a thin mixture of wood glue, and that seems
like a decent way to go. For anyone who has used that, how thin did you
make it? Maybe a 1:2 ratio of water to glue?
Any other methods?
Thanks,
Jon
> This isn't really much in the way of a "fine woodworking" question,
> but I hope it will be close enough to on topic.
>
> I bought a metal shelving unit that uses particle board to put on
> top of the structure. The particle board, of course, is unfinished.
>
> As I will be at least putting a coat of primer on the particle
> board, I am looking for a way to seal up the edges.
-------------------------
These days I'd run some masking tape on the flat surfaces to protect
them and then apply several coats of dewaxed shellac.
Allow a couple of weeks to dry, then apply primer.
Lew
When I cut a hole in a particle board countertop to install a sink, I
just seal the edge with a couple coats of Kilz primer, ot thick latex
paint - which ever is readilly available.
'Ya know, that had actually crossed my mind. I wonder if thinning it
slightly with some latex primer would make it more "brushable" and give it
bit more penetration.
Jon
FWIW, I bought a similar shelf several months ago. Upon attempting to
paint the "bare" wood, the paint didn't take like it would on bare wood.
There might be a finish of some sort on the shelves that take care of
your problem (or cause some later.)
Puckdropper
--
Never teach your apprentice everything you know.
Why bother sealing edges?
The whole panel is made that way.
The whole panel will absorb water like a wet sponge.
I do a lot of boat woodwork these days.
Edges do have more pores to work with.
But particle board?
I have eight of those shelf units now.
I sprayed first half with sanding sealer.
They are in a lot better shape than the newer bare ones.
If you use water based glue. what will happen when the shelves get wet?
Paint 'em.
Kilz should work well for what they are..
--
Richard Lamb
Aye, I did notice that the top/bottom of the shelves were a lot smoother
than I expect from particle board. I think I'll Q-tip a dab of paint on the
end before I leave this morning and see what it looks like later.
Thanks,
Jon
The same thing that happens to a house painted with "water based paint"
when it rains? Like, not much?
There's a difference between "waterborne" and "water soluble when cured".
Sure, white glue softens when it gets wet, but Titebond III doesn't.
And next time you use some urea-formaldehyde, toss the cured lump that's
always left over in a jar of water and put it on a shelf and a year
later see if it's softened any.
Jon,
Several years ago, I made closet shelves out of 3/4" particle board. To
smooth out the edges I used dry wall compound for a filler. Then I painted
them.
They are still as good as ever. Dry wall compound is cheap dries pretty fast
and is easy to sand.
Bea
> As I will be at least putting a coat of primer on the particle board, I am
> looking for a way to seal up the edges.
Near as I can tell, it goes by the generic name of edging or edge
banding. I have no experience with it, but plan to try it if I cut
some vaneered particle board and need to cover the exposed raw edges.
http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/edgebanding-guide.htm
nb
Ingenious idea Bea, thanks. That would also smooth it out really well, and
I still have a big box of the stuff.
Jon
Neat product. I usually glue veneer on the edge of plywood for projects,
but that looks a heckuva lot easier (and quicker) to apply. Thanks!
Jon
Depends on the application. I have filled edges with joint compound
before sealing with a shellac primer. I guess a shop-made wood filler
will work too, but less water the better--you centainly dont want the
particle board to swell near the edges.
I couldn't find my regular joint compound, so I used "Fixall" by Custom
instead. It had the advantage of allowing me to paint it with latex paint
right after I applied it, so I got the edge fill and painting done at the
same time.
The edges finished up very nice.
Jon
The "iron on" stuff sometimes works, but more often comes off before
you want it to. I often use the "pound in" type "T" molding to edge
particle board. Just cut a saw kerf doun the middle and knock the
plastic molding in.
> particle board. Just cut a saw kerf doun the middle and knock the
> plastic molding in.
Excuse my cluelessness, but how do you saw such a slot (kerf)?
nb
Carefully. Run the edge down across the table saw. Or, run edge in on a
router table with a slot cutting bit mounted. Or, stretch a biscuit jointer
to it's limits by running it along the edge. Or, run a hand held router
along the edge (router base flat on face of board.
I'd use either of the router options. As would sellers of T-Molding.
> Carefully. Run the edge down across the table saw. Or, run edge in on a
> router table with a slot cutting bit mounted. Or, stretch a biscuit jointer
> to it's limits by running it along the edge. Or, run a hand held router
> along the edge (router base flat on face of board.
>
> I'd use either of the router options. As would sellers of T-Molding.
I kinda suspected the router option, but also have zero router experience.
Probably should learn some router basics and look at a basic router
and bits. Thank you.
nb
I do it with a high fence on a table saw, but a friend made a jig that
fits the "shoe " of his skill saw that does the job very nicely.
> I bought a metal shelving unit that uses particle board to put on
> top of the structure. The particle board, of course, is unfinished.
>
> As I will be at least putting a coat of primer on the particle
> board, I am looking for a way to seal up the edges.
----------------------------------
Duh!
Time to engage brain.
Easiest way to seal edges would be with epoxy.
Apply with a chip brush.
When cured, sand snooth and apply latex paint.
Lew
That's a lot of mixing the two parts, expense and the epoxy would be harder
than the chip board!. Nice strong edge but may not sand evenly when the
chipboard wears away with sandpaper, unevenly.
If you're painting just use drywall mud. Works well.
"Lew Hodgett" <sails...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:4c0834c7$0$31670$c3e...@news.astraweb.com...
Duh!
Time to engage brain.
Easiest way to seal edges would be with epoxy.
Apply with a chip brush.
When cured, sand snooth and apply latex paint.
Lew
"Jon Danniken" wrote:
> I bought a metal shelving unit that uses particle board to put on
> top of the structure. The particle board, of course, is unfinished.
>
> As I will be at least putting a coat of primer on the particle
> board, I am looking for a way to seal up the edges.
----------------------------------
--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ne...@netfront.net ---
> OMG! Epoxy? LOL
>
> That's a lot of mixing the two parts, expense and the epoxy would be
> harder
> than the chip board!. Nice strong edge but may not sand evenly when
> the
> chipboard wears away with sandpaper, unevenly.
---------------------------------------
After mixing and using at least 20,000 Lbs of the stuff, a few more
ounces gets lost in the wash.
You use what is easiest.
Lew
> OMG! Epoxy? LOL
>
> That's a lot of mixing the two parts, expense and the epoxy would be
> harder than the chip board!. Nice strong edge but may not sand evenly when
> the chipboard wears away with sandpaper, unevenly.
>
> If you're painting just use drywall mud. Works well.
Thats what I use and have used it on plywood to. works great.
--
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