Painting MDF. Advice.

[pilsbury]

I’ve just put some wainscoting made out of MDF on the loung wall. It’s quite a traditional lounge and I’m pleased how it’s looking. Gonna go for a dark green paint but was after some advice/reassurance of my plans:

First use Leland mdf primer, light sand/denibbing between coats

Then here is the dilemma..... we want a satin type light sheen to make it look more like painted wood. Initially thinking of satin wood paint, but then from a cost perspective was thinking about the possibility of a silk vinyl Matt emulsion instead. Good idea or daft?

 

[misterhelpful]

Personally, I'd go for an acrylic eggshell, which has a finish somewhere between matt and silk emulsion. It will be more hard-wearing than standard emulsion (you would want silk or soft sheen, but not matt, if you go with that option) and easier to apply than traditional oil based wood paints, but still has bonus of being wipeable and scrubbable.