How to Paint Wood (mdf) to a High Gloss Mirror Finish With a Spray Can

[nissanrider06 10+ year member]

Well I have been planning out my enclosure for my 15" DC XL and wanted something amazing that is really going to turn heads, I looked into suede, plexiglass, carpet, fiberglass... and decided on a combination of them, but Theonly part I didnt know how to accomplish was achieving that show car paint job, a high shine high-gloss mirror paint job that looks like a professional job. Now I will post pics later of my practice runs but I just though I would post pics for the 2 tutorials I found that work very well for paint anything that can be primed to a mirror finish. It took me a while to find these So I thought I would share them! Now these are all done with a spray can. Here is an over view of the process:

1. Sand surface smooth with no deep scratches (use filer if needed)

2. Prime 2-3 coats sanding with 320 grit between

3. Spray Color coat, use light coats many layers sand at the last coat with 400 grit and spray one more layer and sand with 600 grit or 1000 grit (look at tutorial most paints need to cure for at least 2-3 days)

4. Now spray clear coats several thin layers and sand after 5-10 coats with 600 1000 and 2000.

5. Then Buff with rubbing compound, then swirl compound (maybe one or another) and later after a couple week cure you can use car polish or a jewelers rouge...

important notes:

-Use quality paint and sandpaper it makes a huge difference

-Spray many thin layers 8-12" away

-follow directions on materials

Now you can have a great glossy finish with no expensive equipment. Hope this helps some people. I dont post much but I know I was looking for something like this so Im sure a few others are as well.

I am not in anyway taking credit for these tutorials just putting it in a place where its easier for the car audio industry to find! I read through probably 20 tutorials to find these 2 good ones.

Links to tutorials:

part 1-

linear1 case mods » case mod 101: how to paint your computer case (part 1)

part 2-

linear1 case mods » case mod 101: how to paint your computer case (part 2)

tutorial #2

How to paint MDF to a mirror finish worklog

Click to read more...

 

[KMS 10+ year member]

Too much work for something I'll never look at. Interesting though. I'll stick to texture //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Gilgamesh 10+ year member]

Well it will Definately save on money and looks **** good to....Good Post!!

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Thanks for the sticky!
Remember all sanding is done wet! wet sand!

You wet sand your 80 grit bondo?

 

[Kastlez_ 10+ year member]

That's really nice.. just don't energy to do all the work for this =/

 

[SicAudio 5,000+ posts]

a small compressor and a cheap $10 harbor freight siphon feed gun will yield the same results

you can use oil based Rust-o-leum that is sold in quarts at walmart..

use high gloss clear Laquer to top coat it.. no buffing required and laquer is way harder than spray can clear enamel..

 

[Team TH (Donny) 10+ year member]

Nice, I will have to try this out! Thanks..

 

[akheathen Premium Member]

a little tip for when you are spraying. start and stop off the work, and overlap 1/2 the previous pass with the next one, and it will come out uniform. the goal is to move fast enough to just make it uniformly wet, and it will lay flatter. flatter= less elbow grease. btw, glazing putty goes under primer, or it can show.

 

[bfb1963]

use high gloss clear Laquer to top coat it.. no buffing required and laquer is way harder than spray can clear enamel..

But laquer chips more easily.

 

[outsideshot23 10+ year member]

I just did this.. wish i had read this first.. i did about the same thing.. the sanding gets old when your sanding the face of a big *** wall

 

[outsideshot23 10+ year member]

But laquer chips more easily.

btw you bumpe3d an old thread for your second post? wtf

 

[Slayerx 10+ year member]

I just did this.. wish i had read this first.. i did about the same thing.. the sanding gets old when your sanding the face of a big *** wall

lol sure does. I've been putting off sanding my car to primer it for a long time lol

You have pics?

 

[woody2193 10+ year member]

the worklog link doesnt work anymore //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[DMT Allstar 10+ year member]

this is awesome info! im currently building a new system in my silverado which will consist of a fiberglass enclosure with 6 tens underneath the back seat and im def gonna try this method on the box and on my doors and kick panels! thanx so much for the info!

 

[akheathen Premium Member]

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[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Hello im Heath, i love geoffs cock

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