Attaching MDF to an interior wall

[cisamcgu]

Good afternoon,

I wish to attach some 6mm MDF to an interior wall (I presume it is plasterboard and then skimmed - it is in a house about 15 years old).

I want it to be as simple as possible, but gluing would need too long time to set. Would an electric brad nailer like THIS be good enough to pin the MDF to the wall while the glue dries ? Also, what would be the best glue to use ?

Thanks
Andrew

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Wouldn't plug & screw be better?

Whatever you do you will need to check what runs behind the wall before inserting fixings - unless you are 100% positive nothing is concealed.

 

[Oldhippy]

It also depends if you are hanging anything from the MDF or is it just the board. If it is big piece that covers two wall studs you could use those as an anchor point.

 

[cisamcgu]

Nothing is hanging from the MDF, and yes, good point about checking if anything is behind the wall - any advice ?

And plug and screw - food for thought ...

 

[Oldhippy]

There are screws with 'butterfly nuts' when you push them through the pre drilled hole they open up ensuring a secure fixing.

 

[cisamcgu]

Oh, thanks

 

[OldShep]

Pink Grip

 

[Mark Grant]

Those brad nailers generally use 18g nails, they are not going to give you a long term fixing, I reckon they'd be pulling out of the plasterboard wall in no time.
You could use them to hold the panels in place whilst some solvent free 'No Nails' type stuff sets. This is probably what I'd do.
I'd give the back of the MDF a light coat of thinned PVA as well as the area of the wall, once dry put an even bead of adhesive over the back of the MDF, place in position and use the brads to stop it slipping.
I have an electric nail gun like that one, I think mines a Stanley. I very rarely use it. It often leaves the head of the nails above the surface, I use a pneumatic one as a first choice.
EDIT
Thinking about it, I'd probably still use the No Nails but find the wall studs then countersink and screw through the MDF into these to hold position until the glue sets.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Good afternoon,

I wish to attach some 6mm MDF to an interior wall (I presume it is plasterboard and then skimmed - it is in a house about 15 years old).

I want it to be as simple as possible, but gluing would need too long time to set. Would an electric brad nailer like THIS be good enough to pin the MDF to the wall while the glue dries ? Also, what would be the best glue to use ?

Thanks
Andrew

Many, many years ago someone did this along all the walls of a 3 bedroom flat
He used the skirting as base, No More Nails or similar to attach the panels to the wall, an ornamental trim on top to hide the uneven line, because the skirting board is not straight respect to the wall - of course
Some years later I wanted rid, of course the plaster came tumbling down with the panels.
However, in a couple of months I'm going to get this done in my living room by a professional: will report back with pics.

 

[newts]

If it's an interior wall it's probably timber or metal studwork. You should be able to screw directly into either if you locate the uprights, usully around 600mm centres. Together with a polymer adhesive like in the picture below, it'll be rock solid. I'm puzzled as to why you'd want to fix mdf over a wall?

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

nb if cutting/sanding the MDF take safety precautions as MDF dust is considered by many a health risk. Some suggest taking precautions whatever, others that the risk is more in machine shops (lots of exposure over extended time).

I'm no expert but do research and make your decision.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I'm puzzled as to why you'd want to fix mdf over a wall?

Fake wood panels, was all the rage in the 90's.
I'm getting my living room done in a couple of months, with fake (PVC) skirting, easy to wipe clean, no painting or sanding, ever.
Lovely.
I'll only have to paint the ceiling and half of the walls.
I hate painting and decorating!

 

[cisamcgu]

Thank you everyone. The MDF will be routed to look like wood panelling - this is all in my daughters house, I am the remote 'expert' - and there is a reason expert is in quotes