How To Paint MDF Panelling
With the rise of wooden panelling becoming a popular interior decor trend throughout the UK we thought we would put together this article to ensure you choose the most appropriate, durable paint for MDF panelling when you have found your perfect colour. Also if you are not great at DIY, don’t fret, we’ve included recommendations on how you can achieve the best results below.
1. Prep for MDF panel painting
Before you start to paint, make sure you have taped up any areas you do not intend to paint like your skirting boards. In addition, there’s no harm in putting dust sheets down so you do not get any paint on your carpet or floor - as this can be difficult to remove.
2. Prepare your surface
The majority of wood panelling is already prepared for painting, however as MDF is porous it can require more paint. To reduce the quantity of paint that soaks into the panels, we always recommend that before you begin to paint the panel, you prime the surface.
3. Prime The MDF
The best primers we recommend for MDF wood panelling include those listed below.
These primers will stop paint soaking into the MDF, meaning you can enjoy an intense colour and brilliant finish. In addition, these also maximise the adhesion between the paint and the MDF surface, reducing any likelihood of peeling, cracking and similar showing on the surface. For best results, we recommend 1-2 coats of your chosen primer, followed by 2 coats of your chosen topcoat.
4. Best Paints for MDF
Once your primer has had the required drying time, apply two coats of your chosen MDF paint. Depending on the finish you want to achieve, we've highlighted our top 2 matt, gloss, satin, and eggshell paints for MDF below. This will give you the confidence that the paint you select will achieve your desired look.
Eggshell - subtle sheen and can easily be wiped clean.
Matt - flat, brilliant to achieve a depth of colour and can be washed clean without compromising the colour or finish.
Satin - smooth finish that can also be wiped clean and resistant to wear & tear.
Gloss - high sheen finish that can be wiped clean, we always recommend water-based glosses as it minimises any yellowing that may become present in oil based glosses after years
5. Tag Us In Your Panelling Projects On Social Media
We always love to see your DIY projects, tag us @Thepaintshedcompany on Instagram & @thepaintshed on TikTok!