As for the paintbrush, I use the Purdy Elite Monarch XL. It holds loads of paint, is soft enough to lay-off, and will keep its shape well. Available online. In terms of application, it goes on nicely but the opacity isn’t quite there with two coats in my opinion. I tend to apply 1 coat of Caparol Haftprimer followed by 3 coats of Intelligent Eggshell to get the picture-perfect finish I’m after and would recommend the same to you. Sure, that’s 4 coats and a lot of waiting around, but the finish is definitely worth it. Dries to a beautiful high-sheen finish that almost mimics oil-based gloss (but without the yellowing)

I’ve used Selemix Pro for years and recently gave HMG PVC Pro a shot. But, honestly, it wasn’t up to the mark. I had a tough time achieving a decent spray pattern with my Devilbiss Prolite 1.3mm at 30 PSI. Worse still, the scratch test left me disappointed – I could scratch off the paint with my fingernail 24 hours after spraying. Thing is, is that if I had to use an undercoat or primer and followed the manufacturer’s instructions, I would have been looking at a 3-coat system. You should really apply two topcoats of a water based trim product for durability and depth. You need to completely protect the surface. This is why I test the adhesion of these satins, if you can get away without a primer, you’re laughing. In the chillier months, Sandtex doesn’t disappoint. Its performance in low temperatures is commendable, and it becomes shower-resistant in just 30 minutes. The coverage is impressive, essential for those window sills that demand attention to detail. One of the major strengths of Pliolite is its hardwearing nature. As long as your preparation is solid, this paint is a workhorse that won’t let you down. In fact, its toughness is evidenced by its status as the number one choice for masonry paint in coastal locations, notorious for their harsh weather conditions. The best type of paint to use on MDF really depends on what capacity the MDF is being used for. For example, if you’re thinking about painting your MDF kitchen cabinets, the best type of paint will be satinwood or gloss as they’ll be able to withstand the demands of a kitchen environment and stand up well to frequent cleaning.Compared to Dulux Storm Shield, Sandtex provides superior breathability and self-cleaning properties, crucial factors when choosing paint for window sills. It manages to offer a great finish, at a similar price point to Dulux, but with better performance. The prep work for Selemix involves keying the surface with 320-grit sandpaper and cleaning it down with a panel wipe. It’s straightforward and sets you up for success. As for the roller. I like the Hamilton ‘For the Trade’ mini-roller. They hold loads of paint, will stand up well to use in Johnstone’s Aqua, and are reasonably priced. Available online here. After some bad experiences with water-based paints, I have moved over to them in recent years after discovering Floetrol. Using this, I have found I can get a decent finish with Dulux eggshell and satin (certainly much better than the expensive professional painter achieved in my hall/staircase/landing a few years ago). If you like, Aqua Guard is an evolution of Johnstone’s Aqua. They have developed something that out-performs its predecessor.

Last, but certainly not least, the Aqua Guard is a lot more durable than most water-based products. You need to give it a good week to cure, but after that it’ll be as hard and scuff resistant as an oil-based!! Mixing style with durability, Little Greene’s Intelligent Eggshell is my recommendation if you’re looking to spruce up your MDF shelves. The downside of being a hybrid is that it can ruin your brushes if you’re using the paint for a prolonged period. To combat this, you should keep your brushes wet by swilling them out every hour or so. Running a damp cloth over a surface before you paint it will also help with flow.Another point is washing your brush after the job. Remember Johnstone’s Aqua satin and gloss products do contain a small amount of oil, so water alone will not be enough to clean out of your paintbrush. Clean Spirit is designed to clean hybrid paints so that is your best option, but virosol will also work. In fact, white spirit will do the job too. Clean what paint you can from the brush using clean or soapy water, then use one of the three products I’ve just mentioned to finish the job off, dead easy!! Besides which, the Johnstone’s Aqua undercoat is brilliant!! Easy to apply, dries flat and has great opacity. It is one of the best “nearly water-based” undercoats on the market. But these glosses have very good flow and are very durable, however, different companies have different levels of oils in their mix so this can be a factor to consider. Superdec positions itself as a satin finish paint, but it’s typically a touch flatter than your standard satin. That’s not a negative, just a characteristic to keep in mind when deciding on the final look you want for your window sills.

I’ve tried other primers such as Zinsser 123 and Zinsser BIN but neither comes close to Haftprimer. It’s also akin to Allcoat in performance. With the right colours, it provides excellent coverage. One of the hidden features of Superdec, not mentioned on the tin yet, is its suitability for UPVC surfaces, thanks to its new formula with improved adhesion.While Emperor is often praised as the crème de la crème of masonry paints, it also comes with a hefty price tag. Sandtex offers an attractive alternative for window sill painting, being significantly more affordable and nearly as reliable. A hybrid is a compromise on just about every issue I have just mentioned. The paint will yellow, but it’ll stay white a lot longer than an oil-based. It is more durable than water-based, but not as durable as oil. It is easier to control than water, but not as easy as oil. The list goes on!!

In terms of usage, any MDF is fair game. including skirting boards, furniture and kitchen cupboards. All surfaces to be painted should be clean, dry and free from loose and flaking material. Rub down previously painted surfaces with fine waterproof abrasive paper and rinse thoroughly. Avoid the inhalation of dust. Wear a suitable face mask if dry sanding. Prime bare wood with Johnstone's Trade Aqua Water Based Undercoat. Prime all other bare surfaces with the appropriate Johnstone's Trade Primer. Apply one full coat of Johnstone's Trade Aqua Water based Undercoat to all correctly prepared and primed surfaces before application of Johnstone's Trade Aqua Guard Satin. Special precautions should be taken during surface preparations of pre-1960's paint surfaces over wood and metal as they may contain harmful lead. While Superdec is a good performer, it sometimes requires three coats to bring out its best. I normally apply the first two coats one day and finish off the third the next to allow curing time. The wait is worth it though, especially considering its impressive 10-year lifespan on wood.

Furthermore, as MDF has a smooth surface, I always recommend using a primer on it before painting. More specifically, an adhesion primer. There are a few decent adhesion primers on the market but my favourite right now has to be Caparol Haftprimer. When it comes to window sills, you can’t beat Sandtex High Cover Smooth Masonry Paint. The smooth, even finish it delivers is top-notch. Its staying power is exceptional, even in challenging locations like properties right by the sea, where salt, wind, and rain are daily affairs. Johnstone's Trade Aqua Guard is our most durable water based satin paint for interior wood and metal. Innovative Surface Protection technology provides the ultimate defence against scratches, wear & tear and greasy finger marks for a long-lasting finish. Johnstone's Trade Aqua Guard also has advanced application qualities, excellent hiding power and long-lasting whiteness. Some MDF surfaces, such as MDF panel feature walls, will barely be touched by anything and thus won’t need paint that’s highly durable. Conversely, kitchen cabinets require cleaning on a regular basis so you’ll want paint that doesn’t wear down or discolour too easily. Firstly, the Pliolite is self-stabilising so if the root of the problem has been solved then you will be fine with just the Pliolite after your prep work is done. It’s best applied with a mohair or foam roller for optimal results, and I always recommend giving it a good 24 hours between coats.