What is the "white acrylic" treatment on so much modern furniture?

Hello.  I've built a dresser and want to finish the drawer fronts with whatever is used to create that glossy white finish on many modern pieces.  Is is just acrylic paint or is there more to it?  Has anyone done it and if so, are there any techniques, prep steps, paint brands, .... that you can share?  I assumed it sprayed on.  Thanks.

Darren Dobier

Darren,

The new modern furniture that you see is probally powder coated MDF.  Not many companies are doing it.  We actually just learned how and it is amazing.   Hope this helps.  If you can find a powder coating shop in your area they may be able to do it.

Good Luck,

Melissa Mell

Are there some kind of thin piece of acrylic that is available which we can just stick to the current furniture?

Any major vendor in the US that sells those?

Hi - 

Most furniture like that is sprayed on white lacquer. It's used primarily because it dries super fast and rock hard, is impervious to most household chemicals and has great wear properties. I have had pretty good luck with gloss acrylic-latex paint, sprayed. Much easier to work with.

    -R.

I have seem on TV where they just place a layer of laminates on exsiting cabinate.

And while I was going through my magazine the other day, I finally found a US company that does it. Alsa coporation. www.alsacorp.com

you can give it a try. I have not have a chance to check it out my self yet. but that's an option for you.

Normally,  European manufacturers use prefabricated pieces of laminate finished with acrylic paint. It is rather new concept in Europe and there is still room for improvement. Lacquer finished MDF adds to the cost of manufacturing which is a main reason for the acrylic laminate to appear on the market. I have seen kitchen cabinets painted with acrylic but it did not look as good as the prefabricated product - main criterium being the level of reflection and clearness. My suggestion is to check http://america.egger.com This is reputable material manufacturer from Europe. Not sure what they offer for the American market but in Europe we have used their products for many projects.