The Perfect Finish: How I Refinish My MFT

Sedge gets asked a lot about refinishing or resurfacing and MFT top. Sedge walks us through sanding and refinishing the MDF top on the MFT/3.
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[@Tool-Meister]

I put pencil marks all over the top and make sure they all disappear equally as I’m sanding. I use paste wax which retains a nice “tooth” to the surface which avoids being too slippery but provides some moisture and wood glue protection. It.’s perfectly compatible with the aluminum parts too.

[@sedgetool]

great points ...Thanks for sharing your process !!!!!

[@dieselrugg]

I like to use paste wax too.

[@realpdm]

Thanks for sharing this. Are you watching my google searches? I was just looking for how to do this yesterday and I hadn't come to a consensus on what finish to use that wouldn't be too slick. This is great thanks again.

[@sedgetool]

Glad I could help

[@allanwilliams679]

Thanks again guys. Enjoyable as always… 👍🏻

[@sedgetool]

Our pleasure!

[@michaelpayne8102]

Blue Tape? Heresy, you can only use the green stuff on a MFT. :)

[@sedgetool]

LOL !!!!

[@teac117]

Is it advisable to shellac both sides or is that just extra work?

[@OFFICIALUND]

I did. I live in a humid environment, and even though Festool's "MDF" seems to be of a high quality, I wanted to make sure I reduced the likelihood of any effect from the environment. Plus, as you know, once you beat up one side of the table, you can just flip it over and use the other side - NEW TABLE! So, why not go ahead and do both sides while you're thinking about it? Plus, If you were to have some glue flow through the holes and onto the "bottom", you'd be better off with some finish on it.
I used the "amber" shellac. At first, I thought I was going to hate it. Now I love how it looks "vintage" . . . which as far as MFT's go, it basically is. It kind of looks like amber Baekelite.

[@OFFICIALUND]

@Chris Blair Depends on how thick you put it on, how much you use it and how much you abuse it. I would follow Sedge’s guidance if I were to do it now, but I put on two coats with a very light sanding in between, and I haven’t needed to refinish it ever. The table will be beat up before that (for my use. YMMV)

[@sedgetool]

I only finish the top side I am using at the time ......no warping in the MDF

[@TYB439]

Can you sprAy the shellac? Should you also do the bottom so there is equal moisture barrier protection?

[@sedgetool]

It is MDF and there will be no cupping so I do not coat bottom...I have never sprayed shellac...

[@brianrussell7691]

Thanks again for a great video. Quick question on cutting the shellac. I live in California, which has banned denatured alcohol for a few years now. What does one use to cut or thin shellac absent denatured alcohol? Do I just use it out of the can?

[@sedgetool]

I would just use it out of the can...

[@brianrussell7691]

@@sedgetool Thanks!

[@OFFICIALUND]

Somewhere I have that same shirt. GO IRISH!
Edit: I was very disappointed that the sanding instruction didn't become a "sand the floor/Mr. Myagi" joke at his expense. :)

[@sedgetool]

Next time!

[@andrew9409]

Stupid question: did you cut the shellac you were using? if so, with what?

[@sedgetool]

yes ... I did a 50/50 cut with Denatured alcohol

[@andrewsummers6664]

@@sedgetool You're the best, Sedge!!!

[@walkingconifer]

Can I use oil based polyurethane?

[@sedgetool]

yes

[@thuwdhtbdsikd2397]

Wy don't you. Youse Osmo or some other oil

[@sedgetool]

I like shellac...