Various kinds of boards are required to build a house or building. Depending on where you are using the board, the type of board you need varies per your preference. Among the used boards, Masonite is commonly used. House makers favor it for its reliability and usability.
Sometimes many of us want to paint the wood and board that we are using to give it a creative and different outlook from its default appearance. Moreover, most of us prefer giving it an artistic look for a change. Some may want to paint the board to protect it from any unwanted occurrence.
There are many ways to paint. Among all the methods that you may find, spray painting is one of them. Various questions might come across your mind about whether you can spray paint Masonite or not. Let us provide you with the answers you are looking for with some additional information regarding it as well.
What Is Masonite?
Masonite is a hardboard that is made using steam-cooked and pressure-molded wood fibers. This is known as a kind of engineered wood. This board was first developed in England in 1898 by hot-pressing waste paper. Later on, this method was used to produce boards on a commercial scale using various kinds of fiber.
This board is referred to as a High-Density Fiberboard or HDF. It is a kind of hardboard instead of MDF or Mid-Density Fiberboard. As Masonite uses various compressing methods to produce the boards, these boards are denser than others. For this reason, people prefer using Masonite instead of other MDF boards that are available in the market.
Another thing that makes Masonite different from other hardboards is the production process. Other hardboards or HDFs are usually produced by either wet or dry processes. Masonite is produced in a wet process which is different from any other wet process of making hardboards. This is known as the Mason Method. In this method, steam pressure is used to compress the fibers to make a strong and reliable Masonite board.
This board is commonly used in making doors, walls, canoes, and many more. It is also preferred in producing various kinds of wood-based products as well. In the current market, this is known as Quarterboard, Isorel, and in other names as well.
Spray Painting Masonite: Can You Do That?
Yes, you can spray paint Masonite like any other HDF or high-density fiberboard. It is common to spray paint fiberboards for artistic or beautification purposes. There are various ways you can do it. But you would need to find the best possible methods for your HDF. Masonite can be appropriately painted only if you maintain specific rules and take necessary precautions beforehand.
How To Spray Paint Masonite: Steps to Follow
Among the many methods that you may follow to paint Masonite, let us discuss a certain way that you may follow to paint yours:
Prepare and gather materials for the painting:
Before applying the paint on the board, you need to prepare your surroundings. Get a drop cloth and cover the floor and furniture around the area. This will keep the paint from sticking to other things. Tape the outer edges and ceiling of the Masonite board as well. Also, tape any electrical fixtures and baseboards.
Sand to prepare the Masonite:
Sanding is an integral part of painting Masonite. Spray paint usually does not directly set on this board. Therefore, you need to sand it properly, so the spray paint sticks on the board. If you have old paint that is applied on the board, sanding is an ideal way to remove the old paint.
Apply primer on the Masonite:
Primer is a type of adhesive that sets the paint on the board. This also ensures that the paint stays on the wall longer. Apply two coats of primer on the board. After applying a single coat of primer, wait for the primer coating to set before you apply the second coat of it.
Spray paint the Masonite:
After you have primed the Masonite, you may spray paint it. Acrylic Latex paint or Gloss paint is ideal for spray painting. This is ideal for spray painting Masonite. You should apply two coats of it. Let the wall dry between each coat.
If you properly maintain the steps mentioned above, you can paint your Masonite beautifully. But if you do not maintain the steps, the paint will not look good on Masonite. Besides, you would have to do it again after sanding the board. This is a painful task to do. If you are unsure which spray paint you should choose for your Masonite spray painting project, check out Behr spray paint vs Rust-Oleum to better understand these popular paint brands’ spray paint options.
Advantages and Disadvantages of spray painting Masonite
There are many advantages and disadvantages of spray painting Masonite. Here are some that we think are important for you to know:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Spray painting Masonite will provide you with the best possible results compared to brush painting. | There is a limited number of spray paint colors that are available in the market. |
| You will need less time to prime the board as spray primers take 2 – 3 times less time to dry compared to other traditional primers. | Spray painting is expensive compared to traditional brush painting. |
| You can paint a huge amount of area in a short amount of time using spray painting equipment. | You need to have ventilation in the area where you are spray painting to quickly dry the surface. |
| Spray paint dries quickly compared to brush paints that are available in the market. | Spray paint is less beneficial for health as it contains harmful reagents. |
| Spray paint can last longer on Masonite compared to other paints. | You cannot apply multiple layers of spray paint as it will not stay on the board. |
FAQs
Which Side Of Masonite Do You Paint On?
The front side of the Masonite is plain and smooth, whereas the other side is coarse and bumpy. You can paint both sides of the Masonite, but preferably you should paint the front surface. You need to sand the surface before you start painting. Some Masonite comes in ready-primed. So you don’t need to use any primer before applying paint. But if you want (for not ready-primed Masonite), you can use acrylic gesso before you start painting.
Why Do Artists Paint On Masonite?
The front side of the Masonite is very smooth. So when artists paint on the surface, it doesn’t create friction with the brush. Besides, the paint spreads farther, and it helps the artists to paint easily on the smooth Masonite surface. Apart from that, after finishing your painting, you will get your artwork on a durable surface that will last longer without any flakes or chips of the paint.
What Kind Of Paint Do You Use On Masonite?
You can use both water-based and oil-based paints on Masonite. Applying spray paint is the easiest of all paints for Masonite. As the Masonite surface is smooth, paint tends to adhere less to the Masonite surface. But proper preparation will reduce the difficulty for the paint. You should choose a high-quality semi-gloss finish for Masonite.
Can Masonite Siding Be Painted?
Yes, you can paint Masonite siding. But prior to your painting, you must apply a coat of primer on the siding. Make sure to apply a primer which is recommended for Masonite. After applying the first coat of paint, allow the paint to dry. Then, you can go for the top coats of paint.
Final Words
You can spray paint Masonite. Although spray painting can be expensive and may take a lot of effort, the paint will last longer. It is also easy to apply and ensures better texture of color and brightness of the color you choose. If you follow the instructions given above, you will get the best out of your spray painting the Masonite surface.
S. Pushon is a paint expert, self-taught artist, and currently working as an adviser in the paint industry as a Quality Improvement and Development Assistant.
An artist by heart, he draws remarkable art pieces and as a professional paint industry individual, he seeks the insight and shares with enthusiasts. Read more…
