What paint can I use over mdf primed wood?

[ihatethecold]

I've had a wardrobe made that has the side strips and panels showing that are mdf.
I've primed it once and will give it a second coat shortly.

I'd like to add a bit of colour to the mdf, can I use any paint ?

Not done this before and google just tells me about priming the mdf.

Thanks.
So standard emulsion should be avoided then?
I was thinking of getting Helmsley paint.

I did use a water based mdf primer.
2 coats on the flat and 3 on the rough edges with sanding.

Thanks for your informative reply.

I recently painted some bare MDF shelves - primed with Zinsser primer then two coats of Rustoleum furniture paint, the satin finish one. This was to match some other stuff, but you could use any satinwood paint. The Rustoleum stuff does seem very durable I have to say.

Where did you buy rustoleum paint from?

Annie Sloan goes on anything doesn't it?

I'm not sure. I'd like a matt solid colour. Is Annie Sloan like that?

Yes it can be. I've used Annie Sloan a few times and have waxed some pieces and left some untreated. Have a look on Pinterest for different finishes and how to achieve them. It was the easiest product to use... I surprised myself at the results.

Thanks

Rustoleum furniture paint is sold in B&Q. Quite pricey but it goes a long way. Annie Sloan is chalk paint. You can get a smoother, more clean look with other paints. More durable too. If you use chalk paint, you need to put wax or varnish over it to protect it.

I went to a F & B shop yesterday. The man in there was knowledgeable but seemed to begrudge being helpful!
I went to buy a tester of Stiffkey blue and he said I'd have to have a dark primer on first.
I have already primed with white.

I hadn't realised this before so I'm rethinking.

I used two coats of standard emulsion on MDF that I'd primed with two coats of Flag MDF primer and I've had no issues.

Was your emulsion dark or light Rupster?

I treat mdf as wood and use eggshell or satinwood. I've done a couple of bits with normal emulsion after primer and actually it's worn ok, but if you are buying paint anyway I'd go with something designed for woodwork.

Yy either eggshell or satin, rustoleom is also very easy to use they do satin/gloss & chalky finish as pp have said if you use chalk paint definitely need to wax otherwise paint chips & scuffs.
I always use a white undercoat just means that if you are using a dark top coat, you may need to give three coats rather than two.

I always buy Sanderson paint. It might sound expensive but it's covering power is great, hence saving extra coats, time and making it no where as expensive as it sounds. Egg shell, satinwood, depends what kind of a finish you want. I have also used the Zinsser primer which is excellent if you are trying to cover oil paint with acrylic. It gives a lovely undercoat basis for all sorts of paint. As you have primed the mdf twice if you use a decent undercoat all should be well. Just decide if you want an oil based or acrylic (water based) paint over the top. Just remember that oil needs to be covered in future with another oil or you have to get into sanding down. This is because acrylic doesn't adhere properly to oil. However, oil goes over acrylic with no trouble. The difference is apparent by seeing how you clean brushes e.g. Water for acrylic.

Thank you. I bought a blue that looks like
F & B Stiffkey blue.
It was by a brand I've not seen before.
I have done one coat inside the wardrobe to test the colour.

Rustoleum didn't have any blue colours that I liked in Homebase.

Sorry for delay in replying. I used a light blue emulsion.