Treating MDF window cills

[scottS3]

Hi I have MDF window cills in my house, they have not been given a coat of anything yet so I would like to coat them with something.

Can I use woodstain or varnish or is paint the best way forward here?

[Fatboy]

Is it plain MDF, or veneered? (i.e. is it just a dull brown grainless colour, or does it have a wood grain on it?

If it's just plain MDF get some MDF primer first, as it'll really soak up regular paint and be a bugger to finish properly - something like this should do, but your local trade paint place might have specific MDF primer.

If it's veneered then either prime it then paint (could do away with the primer if using the right paint), or wax/stain/varnish it, depending on your taste...

[scottS3]

Cheers Fatboy, its plain MDF.