Preprimed Trim.. Few Questions

Will

Well, Drywall guy back asking you guys some questions. I have been able to avoid a lot of painting and talked boss man into using real painters but once again if I want a job I will be thrown into the fire. Cheap so...... Bah.

This time it looks like I have to install base, window trim, door casing, etc in a few rooms. The carpentry part is no problem for me, do that all the time. It is all going to be PrePrimed MDF and the final coat will be BM Satin Impervo Latex.

So the questions. Is the preprimed MDF, primed decent enough? I haven't seen the stuff yet and am wondering if I need to prime it myself or just go with 2-3 coats of Impervo

What do you guys like to fill the finish nail holes with in MDF?

Lastly, is it worth adding some type of conditioner to the impervo like Floetrol to get a nicer coat on the trim? Never used it before..

I think I will paint the base how I have been doing which has worked ok for my sorry painting butt.. 2 coats before installed, paint the top detailed area with a brush and paint the large base area with a small foam roller. Install, then 3rd coat once holes are filled with foam roller just on flat base. Don't have to cut it and it comes out pretty good for me.

TK421

Most pre-primed wood in my estimate is not adequate. We run into this when bidding jobs and customers ask us why we itemized a prime coat when its allready primed. Regardless of pre-prime we prime or ask for a liability waiver.
Most factory baked primer just plain sucks and almost comes off with spit on the thumb. Even when you enamel MDF you should do a presand. Most factory primers will not stand up and often you have to undercoat again-sand, etc. I used Gripper (glidden/ICI) last year on MDF and had great results. Of course if you are using HVLP this wont work.

Remember also that surfaces finished with foam applicators, brushes and sprayers usually look different than eachother when dried or cured. As for additives-if your hoping Penetrol will make up for lack of experience using a sprayer (unsure as to your experience)-it won't. If this is the case don't waste your dough.

Will

Thanks for the reply.. Think I will threat the trim as if it werent primed and just sand/prime to be safe.

Not going to be spraying anything, I just thought the Floetrol might help level out any brush marks on the trim. Someone on the job said they used it and it helped them a lot. They weren't a fulltime painter though, so i never know who to listen to. Lot of people do a lot of talking about other trades on the jobsite

ProWallGuy

Prime it, and sand it with fine grit paper.
Then apply 1 finish coat.
Then install trim.
Then fill holes, caulk, let dry.
Fine sand again, apply finish coat.
Don't forget to tack off after sanding.

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation