How to upcycle MDF vintage tv unit?

Hi all,

Hoping someone might have some advice! I bought this TV unit thinking it would be a simple sanding and restaining project. Unfortunately, I didn’t check thoroughly beforehand and only realised after starting that the top and sides are MDF. The drawers are real wood, and the seller had shown the inside of the drawers, which led me to assume the rest was solid wood too.

I’ve never worked with MDF before and I’m trying to keep costs down. Is there a way to treat MDF so it looks like real wood? I think the unit was treated with a wood veneer but I don't like the colour. Maybe an affordable wood-look laminate I could apply to the top and sides - something I could sand and stain to match the drawers? Or is there another method I might not be aware of?

Thanks in advance!

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EricL

Hello @megmegd

As a possible repair option, I suggest putting a Specrite 1200 x 600 x 18mm Timber Multi Use Pine Panel on top of the table to serve as a benchtop. You can simply pull the drawers out and drill screws from the bottom to anchor the panel in place. Now that you are aware that the table is only covered in timber veneer, I suggest lightly sanding the surface and not being too aggressive to prevent wearing out the veneer and revealing the MDF below.

Generally speaking, it is possible to cover the sides with the same timber panel, but if you decide to do that, I recommend double checking the measurements and perhaps get a larger panel such as the Specrite 2200 x 600 x 26mm Timber Multi Use Pine Panel. The panels can be stained or painted clear if you wish to retain that timber finished look.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @megmegd

The cheapest material I can think of with a nice soft grain would be to use wood glue to fasten this 4mm marine ply to the top. It would then only need a very light hand sand then stain in your matching colour.

Nailbag.

Dave-1

Good Evening @megmegd

I was thinking of using some 2440 x 1220mm 3mm Plywood Pine Premium BC Grade To cover the top to give a trimber look effect. Tho the marine 4mm plywood that @Nailbag mentions might be a nicer finish.

Your top dosnt look like mdf, it kind of looks like a laminated timber, It may be hard to sand back smooth but if you are considering on adding a new top to it then you could have a go and if it fails then the new top will cover it 🙂 shhhh we wont tell anyone lol

Dave

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