MDF surface needs help??

Question

Hi, I purchased a desk with hutch at a furniture store 6 yrs ago. It is black with reddish brown markings to make it look vintage ( I think that was the purpose). My hubby hates to put furniture together so had them assemble and deliver. Well now, over time, the surface has peeled and left a horrible scraped look. I tried filling in the areas with furniture touch up markers...did not help. I don't know how to fix this, if it is possible. I was thinking what if I buy some peel and stick floor tiles in a pretty design and adhere them to the top of the desk...that will not help with the peeled edging of the desk across the top Can anyone help me with this problem??/ Ideas, or resolutions welcome. thank you all :) Linda D

Christina Dennis · Answer

If it was me, I'd paint the whole thing with chalk paint (Annie Sloan brand or a DIY recipe). That stuff sticks to anything! I'd then finish with a furniture wax.

Debib3 · Answer

I agree. Chalk paint needs no prep or primer but you would need to remove any surface that has pealed. Check Pinterest for ideas on painted furniture and diy chalk paint recipes. Beware, you'll get hooked on painting furniture!!

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Great ideas. The finish on the MDF was a photo paper that is glued on the surface. This is done on many pieces all the time. This finish is durable and lasts a long time. But moisture can destroy it fast if there is a tiny scratch in the surface. 
You need to remember this when painting the piece. All your painting is a picture. Ideally you should consider if your going to paint is a good primer that can be sanded to level the unevenness of the surface. If you paint, regardless of type, the peeling areas will show right through in patterns. Also paint tends to become sticky. So putting papers on the desk top that are allowed to sit for any length of time, may stick to the surface of the paint. Not sure about the chalk paints as I have never worked with them, but any latex or oil base paint will surly have issues. 
Not sure how large the desk is, but perhaps having a granite top cut to fit it? This can be placed right on top with it overhanging around the edges to hid the edge of the existing top. A solid surface counter top also can be used. Simply provide the shop with the measurements and they can cut and have it ready in just a day or so. Will change the entire desk completely.

Lu Ann Watson · Answer

@Linda Dugas my husband put new Wilsonart or any Formica type laminate would work. it looked great and then he trimmed it out with wood. it has lasted many years and still looks good.

Linda Dugas · Answer

Thank you Woodbrige Enviromental ! I appreciate your feedback and information. I cannot afford a granite top or a counter top to put on top of the desk though. Glad to know about the stickiness of the paint...what about the peel & stick tiles I mentioned???

Linda Dugas · Answer

Thank you Lu Ann, but I do not know what Wilsonart is??/ Can you advise?

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Peel and stick will work. But price out the stone. Its cost may surprise you. The stone company may have a piece that they cannot sell or is a small section of a damaged stone top.
Another idea is to put down pictures on the desk top and cover it with tempered glass that you can get from glass shop.

Linda Dugas · Answer

good idea about the pictures...but don't want to get glass....I have cats and that figures into my issues with this..one of my cats is always jumping up on the desk....I wonder if some type of polyurethane paint might work to cover pictures??

Linda Dugas · Answer

btw when I mentioned peel & stick I was wondering about those Peel & Stick vinyl floor tiles that can be cut with a craft knife.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

yes you can decoupage the deck top. There are posts on how to do that if you search on top. The peel N Stick tiles will also work, but personally the seams will not look all that great and if you use the desk to write on, might become an issue with pens getting stuck in the space between the tiles.

Samof5 · Answer

I taped together, from the back, pieces of scrapbook paper with a 'linen' green look and laid that on top of my desk and then had Lowe's cut a piece of Plexiglas (around $30 I think) to fit on top of the desk over the paper. The edges might be a little sharp but a few passes with some sand paper will fix that. It has been on there for years and is easy to clean. It is also light weight so you can remove it and switch out your paper for different colors or patterns. You could easily put photos under the Plexiglas, too. I keep a small calendar under mine.

Linda Dugas · Answer

good idea Samof5. Thank you!

Linda Dugas · Answer

Thank you for all your great ideas and help Woodbridge Environmental !! You are aces in my book !!

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Use Spackle, Rub down and then prime and undercoat and then use top coat.

MDF surface needs help??

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MDF surface needs help??

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