Priming or sealing MDF before applying emulsion

[SlidingSideways]

The previous owner of our house have put in an under-stairs cupboard and used MDF for the sides. They never quite got around to painting it though, which is something we're like to rectify when we redecorate the hall in a couple of weeks.

I've had a google around and there are lots of conflicting opinions of what to use to prime/seal it with before painting. The hall will most likely be done with Dulux Endurance emulsion. I'de like to use the same on the cupboard to blend it in (with a little filling and sanding, I'm hoping it won't be noticeable that it isn't part of the actual wall) and I don't want the MDF sucking it up and blowing the fibres.

Anyone done similar before or have a suggestion of what to use?

[EggsBenedict]

Was in Brewers at the weekend and they had some MDF priming paint. Spring along to your local one of those....

https://www.brewers.co.uk/

https://www.brewers.co.uk/search?q=MDF

[megaphone]

I've always painted straight on mdf with emulsion, never had an issue.

[kryten22uk]

I used Dulux MDF primer. Not convinced it was worth the money over a standard primer. You'll need to give a sand down between coats though.

[Simpo Two]

Unless it's going to get damp, I'd just paint it.

[SlidingSideways]

Cheers folks. Based on the spread of opinion, I ended up getting some MDF primer, but the cheapest tin I could find (a princely £7 from Toolstation: still daylight robbery, but better then the £25+ I'd seen elsewhere!!).
That's the weekends job sorted then...

[Chuggy]

You only need to prime the edges or any mould which has been machined into the original face.

[singlecoil]

Every water based finish is going to raise the fibres of mdf to some extent. I've painted a lot of mdf and I just use whatever the top layer will be. Most paints will want three layers at least to get a decent finish, edges will need more.

After the first coat give the surface a light scrape with a Stanley blade held vertically to the surface, that will take off any high spots and raised fibres. Much better and faster than abrasive papers. Do the same after the second coat. The third coat, if you are using decent paint, won't need anything.