Painting shiny laminated (?vinyl) radiator with silk emulsion. What primer to use?

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I have picked up a free radiator cover! It’s MDF but covered with what feels like a shiny vinyl laminate. I’d like to prep it sufficiently and then paint it with Silk Emulsion in the same colour as the wall.

Ive already spent a fortune on primers and paints for other parts of the room so wondering if I can use some primer I’ve already purchased on the radiator cover.

1. Dulux Solvent based wood primer
2. Wickes own MDF water based primer
3. Zinzer Perma-white paint (bought specifically for its biocide) water based
4. Zinzer bullseye 123 water based (only have a small amount of this left but might cover)

Any hints or tips would be great!

Hello! My bestie (chatGPT) says this

Your friend can absolutely make use of what they already have — here’s a clear breakdown of what will work and how to prep the vinyl-laminated MDF radiator cover for painting with silk emulsion:

Step 1: Surface Prep

• Key the surface: Lightly sand the shiny vinyl coating with a fine-grit sandpaper (e.g. 120–180 grit) to dull the sheen and help the primer grip.
• Clean thoroughly: Wipe with sugar soap or diluted washing-up liquid to remove dust, grease, and residue. Let it dry fully.

Step 2: Choose Your Primer (Best Options First)

1. Zinsser Bullseye 123

• Best choice (even if you have only a little) — designed for hard-to-stick surfaces like vinyl or laminate
• If it doesn’t cover the whole thing, use it just on the front panels and use another primer on the sides.

1. Zinsser Perma-White (water-based)

• While technically a topcoat, it has great adhesion and can act like a primer on shiny surfaces.
• You can use this underneath emulsion — especially if it’s not a high-traffic area.

1. Dulux Solvent-Based Wood Primer

• Not ideal for laminate/vinyl, but can work if the surface is well sanded. It may resist slightly if the surface is too glossy.

1. Wickes Water-Based MDF Primer

• Least suitable for this surface alone. It’s designed for bare MDF, not glossy vinyl, so will likely peel unless over a keyed surface.

Step 3: Painting

• Once primed, leave for 24 hours (especially for solvent-based primers).
• Apply your silk emulsion in thin coats — 2–3 coats is ideal.
• Optional: Seal with a water-based clear coat for durability if the radiator cover will get bumped or touched a lot.

Quick Hack if Bullseye Runs Short

• Use Bullseye 123 on the most visible parts
• Then use Zinsser Perma-White or Dulux solvent primer on the less noticeable surfaces

Wow that is quite incredible!!! Thank you.
i could use the 123 on the top surface for sure.