take a look at my trunk the circle peace infront of the subs is MDF the bottom peace that the amp sits in is MDF your friend is WRONG!!!! http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2166989
you can get some stuff called kilz from lowes or home depot,brush it on let it dry and sand it smooth,it doesn't let your paint soak in meaning you dont have to use as much paint to get it to cover, lookes glassed when your finished
anything can look good when you paint it as long as you know wtf your doing and you spend some time at it. Is your friend a "know it all" cause they suck