Staining MDF

Cellulose or shellac sanding sealer either would do as they both dry clear.

 

Use Rustins quick drying MDF clear sealer or similar, you can then paint or stain mdf.

 

I would suggest actually using oak - but I bet the MDF has already been bought ?

It is is going to be a pain to get the colour to match. I spent a lot of time and effort a few months back getting white pine to look like light oak.

Would the customer accept a chamfered / beveled edge and you could put a banding on that way

 

Best solution would be an oak bead on the edge and then round that edge off.

 

If your clever, you can steam bend iron on edging roll.

But, as Astra said, glue oak strip to mdf, then rout rounded edge, a lot easier,or get some half round oak beading & glue that on.

 

He's not clever otherwise he wouldn't be asking!

 

True!

 

If he was clever, he would have router table, & saw bench & make his own beading,sadly not done much today.

 

Here. http://www.woodveneeruk.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=American-White-Oak-Iron-on-Edging-55mm-wide

Great firm, don't use them much nowadays.

 

None in stock.
Go easy on the OP!
I see the finish requested quite a lot. Usually on the panelling around pub urinals ;-) Looks fine for what it is and seems hardwearing.

 

Made three 2.4m fluted planks this week, 75 mm wide with 5 flutes things haven't been that clenched since my last prostate exam