Paint for MDF wardrobes

triggerthat · 9 Apr 2020 at 17:55

Hello,

I've primed my MDF wardrobes but I'm unsure what paint to go for. Was told the Dulux Diamond (eggshell/satain) is good stuff but it is pretty expensive (£65 for 5l). Could I get away away a cheaper coat for inside the wardrobes (if so - what?) and something half decent for the front? Thinking of ordering from screwfix.

Fluke? · 9 Apr 2020 at 20:06

I've used Dulux trade satinwood pure brilliant white on mdf, skirting boards and door frames, and eventually the doors themselves. It's got a slight sheen so very much somewhere in-between gloss and mat. Pretty sure it was recommended on here tbh.
I managed to get a 5l tub for about £35 last year from a dulux trade center but was on special at the time.

hmm.. seems to be going for closer to £60 atm too.. might be worth hunting around!

edit #.. I paid £45 for a 5l.. Still pretty good deal!

Fluke? · 9 Apr 2020 at 20:11

Oh, and just think how often you'll be looking at the inside of your wardrobes lol. Just get something cheap and forget about it.

triggerthat · 9 Apr 2020 at 22:27

Fluke? said:
Oh, and just think how often you'll be looking at the inside of your wardrobes lol. Just get something cheap and forget about it.

Cheers! Assuming it was a two coat job?

cheesyboy · 9 Apr 2020 at 23:00

triggerthat said:
Cheers! Assuming it was a two coat job?

I painted mdf cupboard doors (custom sizes for a boiler cupboard) a couple of years ago. I wanted a good finish, and ended up putting about 5 coats on, applied with a sponge roller and lightly sanding each time. Used the Dulux trade eggshell: I'm pleased with the result, but it was a lot of time put in!

Part of the reason for so many coats was that the doors were routed in the centre (shaker style), which draws up a lot of fibres on mdf, which needs a lot of sanding anyway when painting.