How do you paint a laminate top desk

Judi Lasorella
by Judi Lasorella
solid wood base laminate top
  20 answers
  • If your top Is indeed a laminate top and not simply a plastic coated style, you can use the same paints designed to be used on kitchen counter tops. There are several colors and styles to choose from. Simply follow the directions on the product you purchase.
  • Shari Shari on Feb 15, 2014
    I have painted several pieces of laminate furniture successfully using interior latex paint. The trick is, you just need to get a couple thin coats of good quality BONDING primer on it before you apply your paint. Or you can use chalk paint which requires no prep work and will, reportedly, stick to anything. If you are not familiar with chalk paint, type in "chalk paint" in the search bar at the top of the page and you will find a ton of information on it...commercial brands, homemade versions, projects, tutorials, pros & cons... you name it and somebody here on HomeTalk has asked about chalk paint or answered questions about chalk paint.
    • Windy1956 Windy1956 on Feb 16, 2014
      @Shari Hi, to all interested you can use Plaster Paint. It comes out of Catoosa Oklahoma and it will work. Similar to chalk paint but less costly and WILL stand up to the competitors. I've used it in every type of furniture re-do. Try it you will love it.
  • Kara Spurlock Kara Spurlock on Feb 15, 2014
    I agree with Shari. You can use Zinsser 123 brand primer. It bonds to laminate great!
  • Brandi McGuire Brandi McGuire on Feb 16, 2014
    American company paint or Annie Sloan these paints are amazing.
  • Victoria Larsen Stencils Victoria Larsen Stencils on Feb 16, 2014
    I've done many, many laminate pieces and like Shari said, Zinsser primer is wonderful! Be sure to get the Premium Pro primer in the gold and white can rather than the standard primer in the blue and white can. The premium pro sticks to anything beautifully and really creates a fabulous surface for any paint you then decide to use. I used it to faux finish and then plaster stencil slick ceramic tiles 10 years ago and they are still spectacular to this day!
    • See 4 previous
    • Kim Kim on Feb 19, 2014
      @Victoria Larsen Stencils Thanks so much, Victoria. Heading to town later today!! God Bless.
  • Wonderland and Company Wonderland and Company on Feb 16, 2014
    I would use Plaster Paint by The Plaster Paint Company. We have done numerous laminate tops with no priming or sanding. Two coats of paint and you're done. It is such an easy solution!
    • See 2 previous
    • Millie Millie on Mar 02, 2014
      @Wonderland and Company Thanks! I'm going to try it.
  • Ginny B Ginny B on Feb 16, 2014
    would any of these paints work on the plastic coated finish?
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Feb 17, 2014
    Why not just get new laminate top to match paint? Can get it cheap and do yourself or pay a cabinet top man to do. Will last so much better unless you put glass on top of paint for a desk. Desk tops get loads of wear and tear from writing, computers, and everything else.
  • Rose Rose on Feb 17, 2014
    Use Annie Sloan chalk paint - its the best
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Feb 17, 2014
    I like the idea that Plaster Paint is made in the US. Thank you Wendy1956 for bringing this company to our attention. PS - I love their slogan.
  • Julie Julie on Feb 17, 2014
    Also, for desk tops-wallpaper with leather look wall paper. Glass top for extra protection. Looks awesome.
  • CC CC on Feb 17, 2014
    I have painted laminate many, many times. You don't need to go but anything special or expensive products. Simply give it a light sanding either using a fine grit sandpaper or 000 or 0000 steel wool. After the light sanding wrote down with a damp rag to remove dust. The apply 1 or 2 coats of a good primer. I use Bulls Eye is a water based primer and seller made by Zinsser. They sell it at Home Depot or you can buy it online. Then paint, decou-page or whatever you have in store for it. Trust me it will work. I redo and refinish furniture for a living 30 years now.
  • Judy Parkey Judy Parkey on Feb 17, 2014
    Home Depot now sells a chalk paint online. It is made by DecoArt-Americana Paint. Free shipping for orders over $45 or free to store; and, less than half the price of ASCP. I've used it and see no difference except it is thicker. I will be transitioning to DecoArt-Americana.
  • Tanya McIntyre Tanya McIntyre on Feb 17, 2014
    You can also use a paint made by "white knight" that's specifically called "laminate paint". Any good paint supplier will have it. I redid my entire kitchen with it, it's fantastic stuff!
  • Kay Schulz Kay Schulz on Feb 17, 2014
    I did a desk top with White Knite prima and the paint eventually peeled off.. I sanded well before I used it can you please tell me what to do. I live in Australia.
  • Moxie Moxie on Feb 17, 2014
    I agree with the gals above....lightly sand, two coats zinsser primer, two coats paint of color choice and I add 3 coats of crystal clear poly...super strong and washable
  • Kay Schulz Kay Schulz on Feb 18, 2014
    Thanks Moxie. I don't think I put the poly on top last time. I will try and get the Zinsser in Australia, although I have never heard of it here. Thanks.
  • Valerie Valerie on Feb 19, 2014
    There have been a number of posts on Hometalk about painting laminate - have a look at http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/how-to-paint-laminate-furniture-570469
  • KathrynElizabeth Etier KathrynElizabeth Etier on Mar 01, 2014
    I just did a crummy bookcase with homemade chalk paint. I used two coats, and you'd never know it had been a cheap big-box piece of furniture.
  • Judi Lasorella Judi Lasorella on Mar 13, 2014
    Thanks for your suggestion