I am building a custom-made large bookcase (16 feet wide, 9 feet tall, almost 100 adjustable shelves). I’m using MDF (medium density fiberboard). I am now in the process of painting it. I have primed it using acrylic enamel undercoater from Duron (which accepts water- or oil-based paint, I understand). Given some time/space constraints and for the sake of easier clean-up, I am leaning towards using white semi-gloss latex enamel (Duron Plastic Kote), rather than oil-based paint. Also, I am planning to paint the borders of each shelf in various pastel colors. Questions; 1) Is it OK to use water-based products for a shelving system/bookcase? It’s not going to be a heavily-used piece (it’s not like kitchen cabinets), and the shelves will not be adjusted that frequently. However, I have heard that professionals strongly suggest using oil-based paint. 2) How many coats would you recommend? I am planning 3 coats. I am planning to sand a bit between coats and at the end to have a very smooth surface. 3) Is semi-gloss latex enamel sufficient for durability and protection? Or would gloss / high-gloss be better for durability/”scrubability”? I prefer not to have a shiny finish. At the same time, gloss latex appears to be less glossy than gloss oil-based. 4) In order to make the semi-gloss latex enamel more like a lacquery oil-based enamel paint, would it be a good idea to mix some high-gloss latex based enamel (that does look and feel like a lacquery paint) with my semi-gloss paint? 5) In order to add protection to it, would it be to also put some water-based poly? Would 2 coats be ok? If so, could I just put two coats of paint? 6) It’s going to be hard to paint the borders of each shelves with pastel colors without staining some of the white-painted parts of the shelf. Putting masking tape may be too time-consuming. I was thinking of actually using oil-based paint for such borders – it shouldn’t stain the water-based white paint, and it would give me more time for clean-up. Is that a good idea? If not, how about using some acrylic glazing medium (which retards the drying time of the paint and would allow some time window for clean up)? Or is it that latex enamel is just too porous to allow even a fast cleanup, and masking tape is the only way to go? Thanks! Carlos

I want to apply some mixwax polycrilic while minimizing brush marks. I was thinking of adding a extender. What is the difference between floetrol and xim's latex x-tender? Can they be used with water-based poly? The latex x-tender says it can be used with "latex varnishes" and ' water-borner clear coating". Does it mean it will work with water-based poly (polycrylic)? Thanks