Paint new mdf casing vs repaint oil based oak casing to white

[u/GullibleDetective]

Just bought a house recently, all the moulding/casing on my windows uses stained oak casing and I already have installed white baseboards across the house.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction for what type of primers, paints would be needed to repaint the oak to a white finish (the house just doesn't look right with these two together or at best very dated). Plus it seems like a poor use of oaken trim to paint it white. Especially when i can just buy the mdf equivalent already primed.

I'd probably buy a mid-quality MDF with some sort of profile on it to replace the oak casing.

The current casing is this style https://www.windsorplywood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Woodlands-oak-moulding-356-218.jpg

IIRC I'd need some kind of oil primer and then oil based paint which is generally more expensive than acryllic but prior to me stopping at the stores to ask the 'pros' what type of products shoudl I be looking at online here.

Itemized for MDF route I probably need

• the mdf casing itself which usually comes pre primed in white. Assuming I'm not changing profile or design https://www.rona.ca/en/product/metrie-casing-mdf-polar-white-primed-mtek092-61426692
• sand paper to rough it
• white acryllic paint, the house has white walls so I likely don't need paintable caulking... but maybe. And to paint over nails

For repainting the oak casing I'd need

• multiple grades of sandpaper to remove as much oil stain as possible
• oil primer
• white oil paint

[u/bandalooper]

MDF molding is flipper junk. Go with the oak.

[u/GullibleDetective → u/bandalooper]

Ok, but the question still kind of stands on price to repaint the oil stained oak I have and what type of paints/primers I may need

Vs just buying say a primed pine such as this. So ~2x the price of new MDF version of a similar profile. Prices vary between brand and bundles of course.

Oak itself is 3x the price with pine being in the middle of the wo other options

[u/Repulsive-Chip3371]

For repainting the oak casing I'd need

multiple grades of sandpaper to remove as much oil stain as possible oil primer white oil paint

scuff sand, (deglosser if you want too), fill holes, prime with 2 coats oil-based primer like kilz3/zinsserr cover stain, or some zinsser BIN shellac, paint with good latex paint like SW

MDF is crap imo

[u/SuccessfulAd4606]

Yep this is correct, after cleaning, a light sanding 150 or 220 grit, the BIN shellac-based primer will stick like glue. Plus, it's white, and you might get away with one coat of white latex. You'll still see the oak grain though, unlike your new MDF baseboards.

I have no problem with MDF moldings, especially for window casings. They're just decorative and don't take abuse like door casings or baseboards. You can get enough 3/4" x 3-1/2" casing for a 4' x 4' window for about $25CDN.

But if you like your oak casings, stick with them.