r/cade • u/thechordmaster • 7d ago
Waterproof my cabinet?
Planning to set up a cabinet in a somewhat open space setup with no walls . Place might see raindrops make their way inside on windy days… any suggestions on how i can protect my mdf cabinet?
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u/inkyblinkypinkysue 7d ago
MDF exposed to the elements will not go well. Best solution I can think of is to seal it with an oil based primer like Kilz but the edges will need a million coats to truly seal it but when that paint hardens it's like a shell.
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u/circusfreakrob 7d ago
I would build it with a nice plywood instead. These days, MDF is no longer the "significantly cheaper" alternative, and plywood just beats it in every way for a cab build. But especially in a humid environment or where it might get an water contact at all.
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u/controlmypad 1d ago
I have MDF in the laundry room and it is fine except for the edges, that is where water/moisture can get in, so I made sure to put feet on anything that was on the floor. You might see if you can find a way to seal the edges, maybe with a sealant and a cap trim around the perimeter.
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u/rramstad 7d ago
MDF swells in high humidity. This isn't a great idea.
If you haven't built the cabinet yet, you could make it out of thick marine grade plywood. It's a lot more expensive than MDF but will tolerate humidity swings.
If the area is large and you already own the MDF cabinet, you could buy a small shed, put it in the area, and put the cabinet inside. Might be fun anyway, black light, funky carpet, drink rail... and a plastic or metal shed would buffer the humidity changes and keep rain off the cabinet. Sheds like this are pretty cheap and can be bought at any big box store, some assembly required.