How to paint slick Formica desk and cherry wood desk to match?
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Lightly sand both pieces to remove any gloss and roughen for paint. Prime with a good stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123, BIN, or Kilz. Then paint with you color.
I agree with William. Be sure to sand both pieces well to remove any slick or shiny surfaces...especially the formica. Primer well, then paint. Will probably take 2-3 coats of paint.
Are you just wanting to faux paint the formica one to match the real cherry one? I would sand and prime the formica desk, then select a satin paint to match the under-lying grain color of your cherry for your first coat. Then select a glaze the color of the reddish tone of your cherry, or a gel stain. Paint over your base, and use a wood-graining comb to simulate the grain of your real cherry desk. And use the rocker tool where you want to add features. Practice on some foam core or old boards to get your technique down. When your happy clear coat when dry with a stain finish that doesn't yellow.
Get one of these kits.... https://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewart-Paint-Finish-Tool/dp/B0075OIXM6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1505355845&sr=8-4&keywords=wood+graining+tools
Watch grain at 2:31... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95xuJlGrqUk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3JHAGo9-m0
If you mess up the graining just wipe off and start the glaze again.
You can also use chalk paint
The primer has bonding agents in it. The light sanding will give the tooth for the primer.
Primer, primer, primer. Oil-based Kilz is good.