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How to remove oil stain on MDF kitchen drawers?

Hello,

Recently my hubby spilt some cooking oil which fell onto the kitchen drawers (photos attached).

We are currently renting and have tried to clean the stain with warm water and dish liquid, covering the stain/s in cornstarch and even rubbed a small amount of turpentine in a small area but haven't persisted with it. However, the stain/s is still there. Any further cleaning ideas?

Is it possible to varnish or oil it so that the stain looks uniform? Can you please advise what we can do or use so that it looks the same? We obviously don't want to spend a lot because we are renting but at least so that the stain is not that obvious. To me it looks like MDF. (There is a small amount of white laminate near one of the knobs it was covered in that has been cut out previously but not by us).

TIA,

Teresa

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Dave-1

Good Morning @gardenia8888

Welcome to the Bunnings Community pages 🙂 A good place for this type of question!

It does look like MDF dosnt it. And dosnt seem to have been sealed.

Two things come to mind,

- Paint it. There are paints that can be used for kitchen ceilings manufactured to cover an oily styled surface, Id warm wipe the excess if any is left and then remove the knobs and paint. Maybe something like this Dulux White Ceiling +PLUS Kitchen And Bathroom Paint - 1L

- If you can find a draw front that matches the design from second hand store or side of the road. Im sure ive seen similar designs around. I would replace it then. Its not supper urgent unless you are moving out 🙂 So you could take your time and keep the paint solition as a back up?

Dave

gardenia8888

Thank you, Dave, for your suggestions. Will keep them in mind. Only thing about the paintwork is that it would be more obvious that I painted it and am not sure if they would want it painted, but then again it might look better than what it is.

gardenia8888

Hello Dave,

Since you suggested the painting and that it isn't sealed. Does it have to be sealed before painting? Thanks.

EricL

Hello @gardenia8888

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your kitchen drawers.

In order to paint the drawer fronts the surface must be sanded down to allow the paint to penetrate the surface. If it is MDF, I suggest sanding lightly so as not to damage or reduce the cut-out features of the drawer front. A little bit of effort can be applied to the oil-stained section of the drawer front. Another option is to try beeswax on the door to give it a uniform look. It will need to be repeated every now and then as the beeswax fades away.

It's best to document your plans and suggestions by email to your landlord so that there will be a record of the upgrades you are making to the property.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

gardenia8888

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your reply and suggestions, which is very helpful.

Like the idea of trying beeswax too, as it might be easier before trying to paint the drawers.

Let's see how it goes. Thanks.

gardenia8888

Hello,

Can someone please advise what grit sandpaper would be advisable to use on these MDF kitchen drawers and any other paint you can recommend apart from the Dulux white ceiling kitchen and bathroom paint mentioned above, just so that I have more options?

TIA,

Teresa

JacobZ

Hi Teresa (@gardenia8888),

120-grit sandpaper is a good medium grit sandpaper for this kind of work. If you wanted to go a bit further after the initial sand with 120-grit, this 240 Grit Sandpaper will help you get a very nice surface before painting. It will also be handy for a light sand between coats of paint.

A water-based enamel paint, such as Dulux Aquanamel is a great option for this project. It can be tinted to a wide variety of colours and comes in a variety of finishes, with semi-gloss being a great option for kitchen cabinets.

You'll need to use a water-based primer such as this Dulux 1Step Prep Primer, Sealer & Undercoat before applying your enamel topcoat to ensure you achieve the best results.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

gardenia8888

Thanks, Jacob, for all your suggestions. Now I have some ideas along with the others who have answered what to do moving forward.

Will let you know how I go when I go ahead with the job.

MitchellMc

Hi @gardenia8888,

You might be already aware, but these drawer fronts are extremely degraded, so much so that the MDF is disintegrating and falling off. They once would have been white laminate, and that's been peeled off, revealing the MDF underneath. Exposed MDF is not a suitable material for use in kitchens, hence why the oil has stained it. What I'm getting at is that these drawer fronts should have been replaced or suitably sealed years ago.

Personally, I'd apply oil to the rest of them to create a uniform appearance. Spraying some Mr Sheen over the whole lot would likely work. Alternatively, approach your property manager and let them know that the drawer fronts are disintegrating. Ask them if the owner would be happy for you to paint them to improve their appearance and prevent further degradation.

Mitchell

gardenia8888

Hi Mitchell,

Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate your honesty and will mention it to my property manager at the next inspection. I like your idea of applying Mr. Sheen on them.

gardenia8888

Hi Mitchell,

What can I use to seal it which is easy to obtain and use? Also, after sealing, can I use Mr. Sheen? Will the seal stain the MDF?

TIA

EricL

Hello @gardenia8888

Was there a specific seal you had in mind? A paint seal, a wax seal or an oil product to go on the door? If you are keen to try Mr. Sheen, I suggest trying to spray a small section at the back of the door to see how it will react with Mr. Sheen. If the results are positive and you are happy with it, then you can commit the rest of the door. But if it does not agree with the MDF material, I recommend stopping its use.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

gardenia8888

Hello Eric,

I don't mind anything as long as it's good for MDF and easy to apply (not too expensive either). I guess if you can give me examples of all types of seals, then I can decide (if it's not too much trouble). Thanks for the tips on applying Mr. Sheen.

Teresa

JacobZ

Hi @gardenia8888,

I believe @MitchellMc was recommending the Mr Sheen product to basically match the oil stain and then leave it as is so things at least look uniform.

I tend to agree with Mitchell that your landlord should be looking to replace them, but if you'd just like to give them a bit of a facelift, then some Enamel Paint is the way to go.

You'll need to use an undercoat such as Dulux 1Step Prep Primer, Sealer & Undercoat before applying 2 coats of enamel paint such as Dulux Vivid White Aquanamel Semi Gloss Paint.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

gardenia8888

Hi Jacob,

Thanks for your suggestions. Will let you all know how I go when I decide what to do, but now I have some ideas and options.

gardenia8888

Hello,

I found these on Bunnings website: Bondall 250 ml clear gloss monocel clear varnish and Cabot's oil based polyurethane varnish. Would any of these be suitable for sealing the MDF drawers?

Also, read somewhere that sometimes sanding can help remove oil stains. What do you think?

TIA

EricL

Hello @gardenia8888,

If you are sealing uncoated MDF then yes both products will work on it surface, I suggest testing a small area at the back to see what kind of finish it will produce. If you are happy with the finish, you can then commit the entire door.

In regards to sanding the surface, my best advice is not to sand too deeply, otherwise the surface will turn hairy and it will difficult to bring it back to its original state.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

gardenia8888

Thank you, Eric, for your help and advice. Will let you know how I go when I decide what to do. It's good having all these suggestions and then making an informed decision.

gardenia8888

Hi there,

An update. So I have sealed the MDF kitchen drawers with Cabot's oil based poly. Now wondering if I can use beeswax or even Mr. Sheen over it if I wanted to and how, just as it is?

TIA

Dave-1

Afternoon @gardenia8888

Any chance of a photo? It would be interesting to see how it turned out 🙂

Id try sealing the back bottom of the door and then try your beeswax maybe. Just as a test to see how it looks. You are in uncharted territory so better to stick the toe in first and see 🙂

Dave

MitchellMc

Hi @gardenia8888,

Polyurethanes are a hard and durable finished topcoat, so there should be no need to use Mr. Sheen or beeswax over it. Why did you want to use it?

Mitchell

gardenia8888

Thanks for your replies. Just thought of it. If there is no need to use it then I won't bother with it. Thank you.

MitchellMc

There's no need @gardenia8888. Polyurethanes should maintain their appearance and provide long-lasting protection.

Mitchell

gardenia8888

Thanks for the confirmation and reassurance, Mitchell!

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