Staining MDF ??????

Hi

Ive been asked to do a small job for a friend. Basically there cat scratches the front arm of there set-ee and chair. They have asked me if i can make a small wooden L shaped box to screw on the front of the chair etc to stop the cat ripping the chairs even more.
Ive thought of using MDF because it will hold out well to future scratch marks from the cat. I would like to stain it quite dark and then use a tuff varnish on top.
Is this possible with MDF?

What brands do you recomend?

What is the method for staining and varnishing MDF

Commercially this is how soft furnishing manufactures colour MDF.
Cause they use a lot of it and most unsuspecting customers don't even realise they just bought a lounge with MDF arms as opposed to timber arms.. :eek:


First they seal the MDF with a sanding sealer. This is sanded and the then the top coats are applied with a tint (colour) mixed into the laqcuer and thin coats are applied using spray setup until the desireddepth and darkness has been achieved. Sometimes this is done over two or three seperate coats lightly sanding inbetween. After the chosen colour has been achieved usually just one final coat of clear is applied sometimes two but usually the almighty dollar dictates.

Anyway, thats how the commercial guys do it and thats how I did it. You can actually achieve results that do easily fool people into thinking it is real timber but there is no substitute for the real thing! :)

Cheers

How about making a scratching post for the cat?

Get rid of the cat, buy a dog. I hate cats .

Just varnish the bloody cat !

Ok
thanks all, ive decided to "varnish the cat" :)

I think he really meant 'vanish' :D

Bit messy, varnishing the cat. But it would have a lovely finish!:D

After reading this forum for several days I really expected more from the "experts". Anyway I'll give you few reminders I'm sure you already knew but didn't put into practice.

Objective: Combine my wood working and finishing skills to varnish my wifes (we have been married 1 month) cat ( the cat is 11 years old and my wife has had her since she was a kitten)
To be looked at as a cat varnishing expert by my piers in the Forum.

Directions:
1. The best finish is obtained if it is applied with the grain. Excuse me fur.

2. Some woods, excuse me furs, benifit from applying water to the surface to raise the grain, er.. fur, then sanding for a smoother finish.

2.a. Tried this and cats don't like water.
2.b. After much chasing, caught the cat.

3. Fur is really raised, looks good so far.

4. All my experience tells me to start with a rougher grit then progess to a finer. Really like a orbital sander.

4.a. Since I had never sanded a cat before I started on the easy part, the side as it was the flattest. Cats don't like orbiral sanders.
4.b. After much much more chasing, caught the cat.

5. Shop safety note: Cats Bit and Scratch.
5.a. Wash and clean the wounds on your hands, arms and face. Apply the apporiate ointment and bandage as required.

6. Rethink the objective and make a plan. Taking into consideration the following.
6.a. Cats don't like water.
6.b. Cats don't like orbital sanders.
6.c. Cats bite and scratch.
6.d. Want a smooth finish that both the cat and I can be proud of.

7. After much deliberation, study and healing on step 6 I have came to the conclusion that fur smoothing is the root cause of the problem.

8. Considering myself a sudo professional, why not take the cat to a professional for their suggestions and support.
8.a. Who would this be??? Naturally a Vet.

9. Caught the cat again. It's getting harder. Took her to a Vet and explained what I was trying to do and the steps I had taken so far. The Vet got almost as upset as the cat, and refused to offer any help, and told me to sit down and wait. He went into the next room and closed the door. I heard him talking to the police, about a crazy man in the waiting room. Hearing this I glanced at the man sitting across from me and he did look a little crazy, I don't need this so i'm outta here.

10. Returned home. Didn't take the cat out of the cage, so I wouldn't have to catch her. Yea, I'm getting smarter!!!
10.a. Think now.... Problem - Solution. Cause _ Effect. Flow Chart, Fish Bone Analysis, Brain Storming???
10.b. Want to varnish the cat.
10.c. Having difficulty smoothing the fur.
10.d. Fur smoothing methods. Review experience.
10.e. Cats don't like orbital sanders.
10.f. Cats don't like water.

11. Possible you don't have to prepare the surface, er.. fur for varnishing, just use repeated coats to build up a thick coat, and then sand. Possibly cats don't like their fur sanded. And when they see the shiny coat, errr, finish then they might accept sanding. Anyway first things first.

12. Rember to wear gloves when finishing, I this situation I would suggest thick leather gloves. I'm talking from experience here, give me some credit.

13. Removed cat from travel cage.
13.a. YES, thick leather gloves is the right choice!!! We're on the right track now.
13.b. Think now.... Load the brush, being careful to avoid dripping. Brush with the grain. In this case from head to tail direction. This will lay the fur down and hopefully result in a smooth finish.
13.b. WHOA!!!! More knowledge coming here, make a note. Cats don't like varnish!!!

14. Time for a beer. Let the cat run and calm down. Think out of the box.

15. Finally found the cat. She's still not too happy. And her fur has hardened and sticking up all over. How can I ever hope to post this project to the Forum. Then it came to me. How dumb could I have been.

16. Placed kitty back into the travel cage. and to a different vet. See I'm getting smarter...

17. Explaned to the Vet that while I was refinishing a coffee table the cat knocked the varnish can over and got it all over her, and that was why she was so upset. He nodded wisely.
17.a. He said the only way to get the dried varnish out would be to shave her. I would have thought paint remover (but I didn't say anything) but then he's the professional.
17.b. Because sh was still pretty upset and mad he would have to anasthetize her for the procedure. That sounded reasonable to me so I signed all the papers, and said go ahead.

18. After about 15 minutes he came back out with the cat in the travel cage. And said that she would wake up in about a 30 minutes. Paid the $200 bill and left.

19. Back home, more beer. Sitting there looking at the cat with areas of missing fur, looks pretty bad. Then it hit me. Yes. Think objective. Varnish the cat. Cats asleep.

20. Dug up the old hair clippers. Shaved the entire cat. Thiniking this is a piece of cake.....

21. Hurry now, only a few minutes before she wakes up.
21.a. brush away all loose hair.
21.b. Apply 1st coat of varnish. She is looking good, shinny, no brush marks. I can just see the posting photo now. Then I will be the EXPERT, everyone will be linking me.... Yea.
21.c. Done, and just in time she's waking up.

22. She's off and running again, not to steady yet, bumping into everything, under the bed. Ohhhhh. Fuzz, lint, string rubber bands stuck everywhere, she's not happy at all.
22.a. My wife will be home in 10 minutes.
22.b. More beer.
22.c. More beer.

23. Professionally speeking. You should's attempt to varnish cats. At least in the method I have described above.

Hager

Quote:

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my wife has had her since she was a kitten

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I'm not sure but I think you just insulted your wife. Or maybe "she" is the cats mother.

That's it, I'm getting out of here before the cat hits the fan.

Say, there's an idea...

Hager, you must be a bloody Aussie! :D

Sorry I'm not. Just a wood butcher. Family was from Scotland about 150 years ago. But don't hold that against me.
Trying to attach a befor and after photo, don't know if it will work.
Hager Hay :)

Well the after one did.

Here's the Before picture.
Hager

Heres an effective shortcut next time you need to varnish a cat.
First give the cat 5 minutes in the microwave on high.
The fur comes out real easy then and if you're quick and varnish while it's hot the varnish will dry fast.

Heres an effective shortcut next time you need to varnish a cat.
First give the cat 5 minutes in the microwave on high.
The fur comes out real easy then and if you're quick and varnish while it's hot the varnish will dry fast.

p.s. why not attach carpet (using velcro etc) around the legs so the cat cannot mark the furniture

Quote:

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[i]Originally posted by MrChips
Sorry I'm not. Just a wood butcher.

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I think with your attitude to life we could make you an honorary Aussie.

BTW the photo showing your cat after the treatment is much better.


Peter

This is a bit left-field, but as other guys are posting about turning stone on their woodlathes, I thought I'd suggest using a lapidary technique on the scratchy-cat problem.

What if you placed the cat in a tumble-dryer, along with a quantity of sand, and tumbled it until smooth?

I've seen some stones and rocks utterly transformed with this technique, and since a cat is much softer, it should work well, and in a much shorter time than required for lapidary.

Cheers,
Andrew

It is an honor.
There may come a time when I might need dual citizenship.

Hager Hay

And now it's a flying Cat. No it's a Cow?

Tried echidnas suggetion of carpet around the legs to stop the cat scratching. It worked, but the cat couldn't stand up.

A win-win situation.

Quote:

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Originally posted by arose62

What if you placed the cat in a tumble-dryer, along with a quantity of sand, and tumbled it until smooth

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A concrete mixer would be better - just put gladwrap over the opening to keep the cat in and fresh as well.


Peter

I'm joining in a bit late here, fellas but it occurs to me that no-one has yet suggested either hand-planing (where are you Derek?) or the cyclone treatment (come in Wayne).

Maybe we should have a poll on the most effective cat varnishing techniques (Stinky?)

Hager - Aussie-ness is a state of mind, mate - and your mind is quite clearly in the appropriate state - and I ain't talkin' about Texas.

Col

:mad: I'm not a spoiled sport, and like a laugh as much as the next bloke, but I think the responses to an otherwise sensible post really degenerated into abject stupidity. Where are the moderators ??

Congratulations to everyone on their "stupidity". I have not had such a good laugh in a while.

Well done.

Quote:

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Where are the moderators ??

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Varnishing cats, where else.


Peter.

Ha! You all thought I was crazy when I did my bit about Happy dust in a cyclone. I now feel quite sane after reading this post.
Maybe I'll try chewing on a bit of wormwood for tea tonight.
Regards
Termite

ps. wormwood is what they make Absynth out of, a now illegal
drink.

Is the same procedure applied to the edge of MDF?
I have found it difficult to sand smooth the 'end grain'

Quote:

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Originally posted by Shane Watson
Commercially this is how soft furnishing manufactures colour MDF.
Cause they use a lot of it and most unsuspecting customers don't even realise they just bought a lounge with MDF arms as opposed to timber arms.. :eek:


First they seal the MDF with a sanding sealer. This is sanded and the then the top coats are applied with a tint (colour) mixed into the laqcuer and thin coats are applied using spray setup until the desireddepth and darkness has been achieved. Sometimes this is done over two or three seperate coats lightly sanding inbetween. After the chosen colour has been achieved usually just one final coat of clear is applied sometimes two but usually the almighty dollar dictates.

Anyway, thats how the commercial guys do it and thats how I did it. You can actually achieve results that do easily fool people into thinking it is real timber but there is no substitute for the real thing! :)

Cheers

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Of course.....


You can get a specially formulated sealer for MDF but I just use the sealer I use normally. Usually once the edges of the MDF are sealed they sand smooth relatively easily. Its not an easy product to finish, but with experience its a snap.