MDF trim in bathrooms

[shampoop]

I already know in general MDF and moist areas are a no no, but due to my circumstances I'm thinking about doing it. I just bought a house and the rubber molding trim looks like ****, mostly due to crappy install, missing in places, and things like multiple pieces used on a single wall so there's a seam in the middle.

The whole house already has MDF trim all throughout the house that looks fine and actually suits the simple nature of the place. It looks like they had a lot left over so I've got a bunch of it in the garage for free. I figure if I use the right kind of primer/sealant/paint on all surfaces when installed it should work out alright especially considering the $0 price point.

My question is, what kind of product should I use to best protect the trim from the moisture present in a bathroom? And what kind of adhesive should I use to install it with?

Thanks in advance.

 

[kazlx]

Prime and paint with a gloss paint and it will be fine. Use construction adhesive or finish nailer where appropriate.

 

[Morrison]

My question is, what kind of product should I use to best protect the trim from the moisture present in a bathroom? And what kind of adhesive should I use to install it with?

Thanks in advance.

Paint to seal it and nails to install it.

 

[audimurf]

Damn, where are you getting free paint?

 

[rsanter]

You need to prime and paint all sides then install.
Also when I have installed it I put a thin bead or silicone along the floor then put the trim on it
Won't last forever but if you protect it it will last a long time

Bob

 

[ddawg16]

You need to prime and paint all sides then install.
Also when I have installed it I put a thin bead or silicone along the floor then put the trim on it
Won't last forever but if you protect it it will last a long time

Bob

^^^THAT^^^^

With emphasis on the silicone on the bottom. As long as you can keep water from getting into it.....it will last...but once it does get wet....well...it won't take long.

Make sure you do a good job of sealing the ends....that is where a lot of the moisture gets in.

 

[RivennHewn]

Speaking from experience, you'll be money ahead to ditch the idea of MDF in a wet area.

 

[kerryt1]

Used MDF wainscot and chair rail in a bath in my house, but used PVC baseboards.

 

[woodrail]

I've had custom MDF trim in my bathroom for about 10 years now. It was cut and routered, then primed and painted with a gloss white paint.

With the exception of one piece that has direct contact with a faucet, everything has held up great.

 

[chamoisfive]

You need to prime and paint all sides then install.
Also when I have installed it I put a thin bead or silicone along the floor then put the trim on it
Won't last forever but if you protect it it will last a long time

Bob

Ditto on the paint all sides, and the silicone. If you have to use it. I've done too many insurance repairs wrt mdf soaking up the moisture, to ever consider using it for the wet areas of a house. Just a lazy way out of 'saving' a few bucks on an install I believe

 

[Daniel Dudley]

How long has it been in the garage ? I used MDF on a bathroom some years ago that had been stored in a garage for a few years and all the joints shrunk significantly after installation during the dry winter months. I would at least glue the joints, and bring the sized material into the house for a few weeks to let it settle down.

 

[MDSPHOTO]

Prime and paint with a gloss paint and it will be fine. Use construction adhesive or finish nailer where appropriate.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^. In order to save money we did MDF trim through out the house including the bathrooms. The only issue we had was when we stained the basement concrete floor some cleaner got behind one section and it bubbled out. But, its cheap and we had some leftover so we just replaced that one section.

 

[63spyder]

Bathrooms use such a small amount of trim it would be worth using a higher grade of trim.

 

[Highbeam]

Bathrooms use such a small amount of trim it would be worth using a higher grade of trim.

Another way to look at this is that it is such a small amount of trim, and free, that if you have to replace it someday it is no big deal. Nothing to lose.

Assuming you have a saw and a nailer, putting baseboard in a small bathroom is a small job. What's the worse that could happen?