MDF, Particle Board, or Plywood? How to Tell the Difference & Refinish Like a Pro!
MDF: Medium Density Fiberboard
It is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers. It is then combined with a wax/resin binder and formed into panels by applying high pressure. It’s really common to use MDF on furniture or cabinets because it has a smooth surface which makes it ideal for painting.
Note: MDF is NOT water-proof so it’s important to use a sealer over the pain to protect the furniture/cabinets. Here is my recommendation for an affordable & durable sealer.
How to finish it?
You cannot stain MDF, so the only option is to paint it or do a faux wood look (which is also a paint process). I always prime MDF as it has a smooth finish and primer will help the paint adhere to the MDF.
My favorite primer to use on MDF is this: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/VBgUD
You can use any paint on MDF over the primer, which includes latex, enamel, or oil-based.
Particle Board
Particle board and MDF are not the same material but people often confuse them for each other. Particle board, also known as chipboard, is another type of engineered wood product. It’s made by compressing wood particles, such as sawdust and wood chips together with a binder.
Particle board is less dense and has a coarser texture compared to MDF. It is commonly used in furniture, cabinets, and construction applications. Particle board is generally lighter in weight than MDF because it is made from small wood particles that are bonded together, while MDF is made from fine wood fibers that are compressed and bonded together.
Note: Like MDF, particle board is not waterproof and is prone to swelling and warping. For furniture, there will often be a laminate piece stuck over to help protect it in the event of any prolonged water exposure.
How to finish it?
Similar to MDF, particle board cannot be stained so it is recommended to paint it. Particle board is very porous so I like to sand it smooth with a 120 grit then 220 grit sandpaper before using a primer. You can use either a water based or oil based primer here.
Plywood
Plywood is a type of engineered wood that is made by gluing together several layers of wood veneers. I t’s really easy to identify plywood if you look at it from the side because you will see all these layers. Plywood is commonly used in construction, furniture making, and other applications where strong and durable wood material is needed.
I LOVE using plywood to build furniture and cabinets. It keeps the cost down (by not using solid wood) but you can get beautiful oak or birch plywood that can easily be stained unlike MDF or particle board.
How to finish it?
If it is brand new plywood, I love to stain it! I will first sand it will 220 grit sandpaper then apply a pre-conditioner before staining it in either an oil, water or gel based stain. It’s hard to mess up!
If it is on pre-owned furniture that you are refinishing, it is important to be careful when removing the existing finish as the layer of veneer wood is so thin that it is easy to damage it by sanding through it. You can use a chemical based stripper, or sand with nothing lower than 220 grit sandpaper to remove the finish.
To paint it, sand it with 220 grit sandpaper before using a primer.
