mdf - gets ugly on the edge, what to do?

[Mejram]

Hello!
I'm building a bookshelf out of MDF boards. The edges (after cutting the shelves) turn out so ugly. Rough texture, a bit "notched"... How can I make it look nice? If I sand, it feels like I'll have to "sand endlessly"... I'm going to paint three layers but I don't think paint can even it out.
If it doesn't look good, is there a trim or something similar that I can glue on? It's the sides of the shelves that will be visible, the "sidewalls" of the shelves we'll cover with trim.
Suggestions?

 

[Miles]

A good planer machine (i.e. not a hand tool)?

The best solution, perhaps too late for you now, is to cut them finely from the start using a good saw and saw guide or by asking the lumberyard to cut them.

 

[Mejram]

It was beier who sawed, so it turned out much better than when you do it yourself. But the "fine-tuning" is not perfect. It will be the shelf that is visible as mentioned... At first, I thought I could glue on another strip. The man thinks it will be solved with three layers of paint. I am doubtful...

 

[Miles]

If they are quite even, maybe you can smooth them by clamping several next to each other and sanding with a good machine? Sanding is much easier than gluing on a strip.. but the strip is probably a good solution for really uneven edges.

 

[pinebar]

Fill with wood filler, sand, and paint?

 

[bygga_bo]

Spackle with wood filler, sand, and paint?

It's a good tip. There are also a few other tricks available. Read more about the art of painting MDF here:

http://www.byggahus.se/forum/moebelsnickeri/112699-dags-att-snickra-sjaelv.html
http://www.byggahus.se/forum/moebelsnickeri/131594-foersegling-och-grundning-av-mdf.html

 

[raveper]

Block and sandpaper.
Goes faster than you think.