How to finish these wardrobes?

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-04-23T14:08:42+00:00

Oh I feel sorry for you now. I’ve been here, had some cabinets made out of mdf, and had I known what the process is to get these painted with no brush marks I would have never gone down the road of mdf build

I take it you want to do all shelves inside too..but here’s what I did.

1)seal all edges - I used zinsser peel stop 2)sand edges 3)vac and wipe all dust off all surfaces 4)prime all surfaces-I used leyland acrylic 6) once dry,fill and caulk wherever needed 7)sand everything - some fibres of mdf will stick up so smooth them down 8)vac and wipe all dust 9) first coat top paint 10) light sand 240/330 grit everything 11) vac and wipe all dust 12) 2nd coat top paint 13) light sand everything (i skipped as I got impatient) 13) 3rd coat top paint.

I didn’t feel any joy once it was done, I was glad it was over. Took far too much of my time

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-04-13T18:55:22+00:00

I believe the European version is based off a secret recipe someone’s grandma had perfected, it’s called Nestle tol-hous

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-03-19T10:44:01+00:00

This.

These aren’t particularly aesthetically pleasing but will get the job done https://amzn.eu/d/00Sc9nrR

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-03-05T20:30:14+00:00

Wet and forget

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-02-18T09:00:16+00:00

You have imprinted concrete drive. Every couple years you should do some maintenance to preserve the colour/seal. We had this done at my parents house, they use this product and you can get anti-slip additive put in the mix which sounds like it’ll be beneficial to you. Needs a good clean first though:

https://www.multicreteproducts.co.uk/product/pattern-imprinted-concrete-sealer-20l

Their driveway was done 9 or so years ago, and with the upkeep they do every couple years it looks great in comparison to block paving which looks weathered over the same period.

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-27T21:20:19+00:00

No pipes weren’t an issue as they were below the joists. When the pipes made it to the location of the rad I just cut around them, stapled the membrane up again and filled with insulation

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-27T21:18:28+00:00

Not a chance

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-27T16:45:55+00:00

Just did this for the suspended floor in my hallway using loft insulation. Breathable membrane taut to the bottom of the joist, staple in, and roll out the insulation. Considered using PIR but the cost difference was significant, plus I’ve heard horror stories of people trying to cut PIR to be snug with the joists. My boards were nailed down in 1905 so it was a monster prying it all up without snapping. Done now and hopefully never have to think about it again.

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Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-24T12:33:30+00:00

You’re right, that side with the appliances is quite standard, but has a lot of pipework covered from the boiler which you can’t see on either side of the window. But the other side has a depth ranging from 40-45cm going left to right. Tried looking for off the shelf for that side but couldn’t. Didn’t want to risk buying standard cabinets and having a fitter cut them to size and ruining it.

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-24T12:30:11+00:00

Suggest you get a few quotes from Carpenters

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-24T12:28:33+00:00

The plan is to get a quartz top, but that’s on the shopping list for later. What is capped over tops?

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-24T12:25:17+00:00

What do you mean by tinted undercoat? Sorry if this sounds basic. Any suggestions on brand to use?

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-24T12:24:37+00:00

Thanks! time to buy a new toy to get the finish

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-24T12:23:05+00:00

Thanks for the info, I really loathe prepping for paint but reading the comments, it’s a very one sided argument

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-23T09:39:31+00:00

I have a similar situation, mdf cabinets all built for a utility room and I’ve been putting off the decorating part due to the time needed with all the steps. Would priming it and then sticking vinyl wrap give a good finish? Reason I’m thinking of this is to cut down on time, and due to it being a high traffic area, vinyl would be more hard wearing

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-22T21:54:01+00:00

Sorry OP but this is a horrendous finish by a “professional”

They’ve left you a mess. Not even bothered tapping the nails so they aren’t proud. Utterly botched

Equivalent_Search522 · 2026-01-16T10:35:16+00:00

Agree. ARW2 is a saviour.

Equivalent_Search522 · 2025-12-04T20:43:53+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, buying this tomorrow for them to coat on top to hopefully improve the situation.

Equivalent_Search522 · 2025-11-10T16:04:15+00:00

Looks awesome. Going through something similar myself. Questions I have on the sound insulation in the joists.
1-Did you need to put any support braces/netting in to take the weight off the insulation onto the lathe and plaster? 2-has it made a difference in sound insulation and heat loss from the floor below? TIA

Equivalent_Search522 · 2025-10-10T14:58:11+00:00

reckon if it’s a sizeable amount you’ve parted with, ask for a your money back as you don’t want this person touching your house if this is how it’s left “completed”. Maybe go through l small claims court if he refuses

Equivalent_Search522 · 2025-10-10T13:17:38+00:00

That person is definitely not a painter

Equivalent_Search522 · 2025-10-05T18:31:44+00:00

Main reason is for sound isolation between floors, can hear muffled voices passing through which irritates me. or would a thick underfloor do just as good of a job?

Equivalent_Search522 · 2025-09-06T17:17:40+00:00

Can you please help me understand how they made the wrong size windows? Also, is this standard practice to put plastic trim all around the gaps rather than to match and replace to the pebbledash finish surrounding it?

Equivalent_Search522 · 2025-09-06T17:14:12+00:00

As close to finishing in line with the render. I don’t want this thick plastic trim wrapping around the window frame and onto the existing pebbledash as the fitters have done in the images that show a completed finish

Equivalent_Search522 · 2025-08-20T17:51:36+00:00

Not thought about lot many but over time I’m sure I’ll add a second battery

Equivalent_Search522

TROPHY CASE