What paint should I use to paint MDF furniture?
I want to renovate some MDF furniture I have in my bedroom, but I'm not sure if I should use acrylic paint, enamel, or something else. Which one adheres better and lasts longer without peeling?
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It really depends on the finish you want and where the furniture is going to be, because there's no one option that always wins. Enamel holds up better against bumps and adheres well, but here's what most people don't mention: MDF absorbs a ton of moisture, and that causes the paint to lift from the inside out if you don't seal it properly first. The best thing is to apply a coat of sealer or primer specifically for MDF before painting with whatever you choose, because without that both enamel and acrylic will end up peeling after a while, especially in bathrooms or near windows. After that, enamel does hold up better than acrylic, that's true, but it needs more drying time and the smell is a real pain.
Enamel is your best option for MDF because it adheres way better than acrylic and lasts forever without peeling or chipping. What you need to do is sand the surface well first (with medium-fine grit sandpaper), then apply a primer specifically for MDF or wood, and after that two coats of oil-based or synthetic enamel. Acrylic will peel off easily on furniture that gets a lot of use because MDF is porous and doesn't hold that kind of paint well.
Here the thing is, it's not just about picking one or the other - you need to prep the MDF properly first. A lot of people rush it, sand a bit on top and then wonder why the paint starts peeling. MDF is porous, it absorbs moisture, and the surface is pretty slippery, so without a good base coat the paint just won't stick properly, no matter if you use acrylic or enamel.
What actually works is doing this: first apply a primer specifically for MDF or wood, which seals those pores and gives grip to whatever comes next. After that, if you want it to last years without issues, synthetic enamel wins out, but you need to keep in mind it smells strong, requires thinner to clean your tools, and takes longer to dry. Acrylic is more comfortable to work with, less smell, cleans up with water, but it doesn't hold up as well to impacts and scratches more easily on furniture you touch all the time. In a room where there's not that much daily wear, acrylic can work fine if you put on two or three coats and a good primer first.
My recommendation: invest the extra money in quality primer and then pick based on what you prefer to work with. Enamel lasts longer, obviously, but if you don't mind touching it up in a couple years acrylic is less of a hassle to apply. What you shouldn't do is skip the primer thinking you're saving time.
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