What Are the Treatments for Particle Board?

Storing

• Since particle board is a wood product its subject to discolor, crack and warp when it's exposed to temperature changes and moisture. Apply polyethylene to the surface of particle board stored outside to prevent it from absorbing rain and spotting. Brush water repellent preservative on the edges of each panel, since the edges tend to take in water quicker than the panel surface. Do not apply paint or stain until the water-resistant treatments have dried. Wait at least two days.

Finishing

• Finishing work should be completed when temperatures are mild, between 60 to 80 degrees F, and there is no chance for rain. If the particle board surface is too cold or hot, it can prevent paint from adhering and cause the panel to blister. Use a brush to apply a primer, which ensures the paint or stain goes on evenly. Once the primer is dry, apply the finish, either paint or stain, to the surface and each edge to ensure the panel is completely coated. The finish helps protect particle board and creates almost an air-tight seal to prevent moisture from penetrating the board and warping it.

Mold Contamination

• Particle board is composed of several shards of wood that are pressed and glued together into a panel. If untreated, particle board is susceptible to water absorption, as water gets trapped behind shards and in a panel's crevices. Over time, the moisture can encourage the growth of mold. Once mold is present, particle board must be replaced. Unlike solid wood that can be rid of mold with the aid of power tools or cleaning solutions, replacement is the only treatment for mold found on particle boards, reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.