A little care goes a long way with MDF panelling.
Our panels, mouldings and dado rails are built to last for years, but MDF and pine respond differently to moisture, heat and rough handling than tile or solid wood. This page sets out exactly how to store, install, finish and clean every product we sell, so your feature wall stays looking sharp — and so you know what to avoid before damage happens.
Last updated & effective: 25 June 2026
Know your material before you start
Most of our range is one of two materials, and each behaves a little differently.
Standard MDF panels
Used in our Shaker, tongue & groove and dado wall panel kits (6mm/9mm). Smooth, paintable and stable indoors, but not moisture‑resistant — treat it like any painted interior surface, not like a tiled or waterproof one.
MR MDF (moisture‑resistant)
Our green‑tinted board for kitchens and bathrooms copes far better with ambient humidity than standard MDF, but it is moisture resistant, not waterproof — it still shouldn't sit in standing water or direct splash zones such as inside a shower enclosure.
Pine mouldings & dado rails
Solid softwood, paintable and stainable. More tolerant of handling than MDF, but pine can still mark, dent or swell slightly if left damp, so the same humidity guidance below applies.
Storing panels before you fit them
MDF and pine both move slightly with changes in temperature and humidity, so what happens between delivery and installation matters as much as the fitting itself.
Store panels flat, indoors, in the room where they'll be fitted, for at least 24–48 hours before installation. This lets the board acclimatise to the room's normal temperature and humidity, which reduces the chance of slight warping, gapping at joints, or swelling after fitting.
- Keep panels flat and fully supported — leaning them on one edge for long periods can cause bowing.
- Store indoors, never in a garage, shed or outbuilding without heating, and never directly on a concrete or stone floor.
- Keep the original packaging on until you're ready to fit each panel — it protects the surface from dust and scuffing.
- Check your wall is clean and fully dry before fitting — installing onto a damp wall can transfer moisture straight into the board.
Humidity, moisture & where to fit each material
This is the single biggest factor in how long your panelling lasts.
Living rooms, bedrooms & hallways
Standard MDF panelling and pine mouldings are well suited to normal household humidity. Keep the room ventilated, avoid placing panels directly behind radiators or other concentrated heat sources, and wipe up any spills (drinks, plant water, condensation from windows) promptly rather than letting moisture sit on the surface.
Kitchens & bathrooms
Choose our MR (moisture‑resistant) MDF range for these rooms rather than standard MDF. Even with MR board, avoid direct, sustained water contact — don't fit it inside a shower cubicle, behind a sink splashback with no sealant, or anywhere it will be regularly soaked rather than just exposed to steam and humidity.
Everyday cleaning
Routine cleaning is straightforward — the key is to keep it dry, not damp.
Routine dusting
A soft, dry microfibre cloth or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment removes everyday dust without scratching the painted or primed finish. This is all most panelling needs week to week.
Marks & light grime
Wipe with a cloth that's been wrung out until barely damp, using a small amount of mild, diluted washing‑up liquid if needed. Always dry the surface immediately afterwards with a clean, dry cloth — never leave the panel wet.
What to avoid
No soaking, no spray‑and‑leave cleaning products, no steam cleaners, no abrasive sponges or scouring powders, and no harsh solvents or bleach‑based cleaners, which can strip paint and damage the board underneath.
Quick reference: do's and don'ts
Worth a screenshot before you start your project.
Do
- Let panels acclimatise in the room for 24–48 hours before fitting.
- Prime and paint cut edges, especially on MDF, to seal exposed board from moisture.
- Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth and wipe up spills straight away.
- Use MR MDF, not standard MDF, in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Keep rooms ventilated and avoid placing panels hard against constant heat sources.
Don't
- Fit panels onto a wall that's still damp, or in a room with active leaks or rising damp.
- Use steam cleaners, soaking‑wet cloths, or pressure washers on any panel.
- Install standard MDF inside a shower, directly behind a sink with no sealant, or anywhere it will be regularly soaked.
- Leave panels leaning unsupported or stored outdoors/in an unheated outbuilding before fitting.
- Use bleach, ammonia‑based cleaners or abrasive scouring pads on the painted surface.
Getting the longest life from your panelling
A correctly painted, well‑maintained panel wall can comfortably outlast several rounds of redecorating elsewhere in the room.
All standard panels are supplied sanded smooth and ready to prime — they are not pre‑finished. Always prime and apply at least two coats of a good‑quality water‑based or oil‑based interior paint before considering the installation complete. This isn't just cosmetic: a proper paint finish is what actually protects the MDF surface and edges from everyday moisture and dust, so skipping it shortens the panel's working life.
- Seal every cut edge, not just the visible face — raw MDF edges absorb moisture fastest.
- Touch up small chips or scratches with matching paint as soon as you notice them, before moisture can get in.
- Re‑check sealant around panelling in kitchens and bathrooms annually, and refresh it if it's cracked or peeling.
- Pine mouldings can be painted or stained — sand lightly between coats for the smoothest finish.
Damage, faults & what's covered
Being upfront about this protects you from a wasted return and us from misunderstandings — here's exactly where the line sits.
What's covered as a fault
If your panels arrive cracked, warped, water‑damaged in transit, or with a manufacturing defect such as an uneven finish or incorrect cut, that's a fault on our side. Photograph the issue and your shipping label and contact us within 30 days of delivery — we'll arrange a replacement or refund under our Refund Policy, in line with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
What's considered care‑related, not a fault
Damage that develops after delivery from water exposure, high humidity without ventilation, fitting onto a damp wall, using the wrong board type for a wet room, harsh cleaning products, or impact damage from knocks and general wear isn't a manufacturing defect, and won't usually be covered as a return or warranty claim. Following the guidance on this page is the best way to avoid this kind of damage altogether.
Get in touch & company information
Stuck mid‑project, or just want a second opinion before you clean or repaint? We're happy to help.
Contact us
- Office Phone+44 33 0043 9923
- Emailinfo@lunaireworks.com
- Business HoursMon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (GMT, UK)
Registered company details
Lunaire Works is a trading name owned and operated by STERZEAL HATS LIMITED, a company registered in England and Wales.
- Registered company nameSTERZEAL HATS LIMITED
- Company registration no.13249070
- VAT numberGB433989551
- Registered address126 Newark Avenue, Peterborough, PE1 4NP England, United Kingdom
Fitting your panels and want a sanity check?
Send us a photo of your wall or your finish before you commit, and we'll happily talk it through.
