There are some other satinwoods that work well on MDF such as Dulux Diamond but I find that the Diamond doesn’t quite lay as flat on the surface as Aqua Guard. Another quality of the Aqua Guard is you can apply generous coats and not experience much in the way of sagging or runs. Again, this is normally an issue when using water-based.

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 just wrapped up a project using Sandtex on window sills. The result was less splattering compared to Weathershield, and the application process was a dream. As a decorator with years of experience painting window sills, I can confidently vouch for Sandtex High Cover Smooth Masonry Paint.A lot of decorators who try Johnstone’s Aqua for the first time do not get on with it. This isn’t down to the paint being poor quality, but more to do with the decorator not knowing how to apply the product correctly. We also deliver to the majority of non mainland UK locations including The scottish Highlands & islands, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly and Northern Ireland. Please see full delivery terms for the extra charges associated with these locations For window sills that have previously been painted but now have peeling paint, I swear by Johnstone’s Masonry Pliolite. 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.

Mixing style with durability, Little Greene’s Intelligent Eggshell is my recommendation if you’re looking to spruce up your MDF shelves. 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.With that in mind, with the mix of durability, clean aesthetics, nice flow out of the tin, super coverage and a price that isn’t going to break the bank, Johnstone’s Aqua Guard gets my vote. There is another downside and it is a fairly big issue. Johnstone’s Aqua satin and gloss will start to yellow and discolour over time, especially in low light conditions. More so than other “water-based” products on the market, but a lot less than anything oil-based. I’ll explain why in the next section.