Repairing Water Damage To MDF Kitchen Cabinets
MDF, usually known as Medium-density Fiberboard, is regarded as one of the best engineered wood that combines wax as well as a resin binder. Applying high temperature & pressure will help create the MDF board. It is usually denser in comparison to plywood. MDF looks great as soon as you finish it, however, you should keep it away from water as water can damage your MDF. The other form of water that can cause damage to MDF is steam. MDF kitchen cabinets are vulnerable & susceptible to water damage, particularly if they are near the sink or the refrigerator. There are a few precautionary measures that you can take in order to prevent water damage from ruining your MDF cabinets. Some of the measures include using water-resistant primer, paint, as well as sealant to protect MDF kitchen cabinets. Be very careful of musty smells as well as wet or moist MDF kitchen cabinets. If you notice water damage, it is important to repair them immediately.
Step 1: Assessing The Situation
Before you start repairing your kitchen cabinets, it is important to check their condition. If the water damage on your kitchen cabinets is such that it can't be repaired, then you simply need to replace them. Some of the indications of noteworthy water damage include crumbled as well as separated MDF particles. If the majority of your kitchen cabinets look like this, then replacing them is the best option instead of repairing. For MDF kitchen cabinets having only a few swollen sections, then you can repair them on your own.
Step 2: Repairing Your MDF Cabinets
Repairing your MDF cabinets is an extremely easy task. Before you start repairing, it is important to have some of the items ready including sandpaper, resin glue, wood filler, primer, paint, as well as a water-resistant sealant. Also, your MDF cabinets need to be dry before repairing them. To do this, you should pull out all the items from inside the cabinet. Then, leave the cabinet to dry for some days. Take apart any hardware that might be damaged when sanding the cabinets. You can also place a sheet of plastic on the floor in order to protect it from dirt and paint.
- Sanding
It is time to smooth out the surface of the MDF cabinets. Get rid of the swollen parts by sanding over them using coarse-grit sandpaper. It is important to change the sandpaper a few times. Try to sand only those areas that are affected by water damage. The water-damaged areas need to be sanded over & over again in order to get an even finish. A little amount of elbow grease is needed for this project. - Resin Glue
For those areas where the sandpaper couldn’t reach, you can apply some resin glue with the help of a brush. You can apply resin glue on cracks, seams, as well as pits. Try to apply an even coat of resin glue. When you are done applying the glue, leave it to dry overnight. The resin glue will shrink as soon as it dries, but you don’t need to worry, as it’s normal. That is why wood filler is used when it comes to filling in any other dents. - Wood Filler
With the help of a spatula or blunt knife, you need to smooth the wood filler over the cracks as well as seams that the resin glue couldn’t fill. Try to apply an even layer of this wood filler. Once again, it would be good if you allow the putty dry overnight. Unlike resin glue, this won’t shrink. When it is fully dry, you will need to sand the putty with the help of coarse grit sandpaper. You can do this many times in order to achieve a smooth and even surface.
Step 3: Finishing Touches
- Priming
Apply a primer can help seal the particles in the MDF. Primer also adds a layer of protection when it comes to water damage. Use alcohol-based or oil-based primers rather than water-based primers. The MDF will only soak up water-based primers. As soon as the primer is dry, it is time to paint your MDF kitchen cabinets. - Painting
Painting one to two coats of water-resistant paint on the cabinets should be sufficient enough to give it a good look. Select a color that matches the cabinets original color. - Sealant
Now that your cabinets is looking as good as new, it’s time to apply sealant on them. Sealant is the last step when it comes to added protection against water damage.