Where the table expands to insert a leaf 
Asked on Nov 18, 2017
IS THERE ANY HOPE? LAMINATED IKEA TABLETOP IS A MESS
by
Bananas!
+6
Hi so we're considering a redo on the top of this laminate table from Ikea. My daughter loves the table but not the top (see photos) I'd love to hear from someone who's actually done this particular kind of job. I've refinished much furniture both with spray paints and chalk paints/wax. I'm pretty handy with a sander and brush. I'm simply not sure if these dings can be sanded, it's like a presswood and has expanded in places where the finish came off.
Yikes 
BAD 
That doesn't look like laminate to me, it looks like thermafoil/vinyl over MDF. Jiffy Mohawk repair kit, at home depot.... https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Cabinet-Touch-Up-Kit-in-Arctic-White-TUK-AW/100668510?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D29-Kitchen%7c&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0b_QBRCeARIsAFntQ9o_myvSmMR9i-Ob2bXGoSGQ3dPm4pc-G2TZHU_MU9FQ4mQ0wixiWWYaAvBKEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CPbe56LoyNcCFQh8fgod-WMI2A
I would take a small hammer and dent that in, and then fill... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OhUsGNYzvw
If it is indeed laminate, I would still dent it in where the MDF was exposed to water and maybe use a single edge razor blade to level and remove excess.. Fill with a little bit of paintable wood filler, sand, and then use gloss enamel to fill, make a paper template just exposing hole and surrounding 1/8" and spray. Finish with gloss.
If laminate you can also buy a repair kit.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf3voZ4J1gg Lowes, Walmart and Amazon
Not sure if this would work, but I've thought about doing this to a desk with a wood grain laminate I don't like. Re-laminate it. Sand to roughen up laminate surface and clean up those rough spots. Get some formica and contact cement, and look up instructions on how to apply it. This would probably hold up better than the original.
Personally, I would not try to save that hot mess lol! I would put a different material over the top such as wood veneer, new laminate, or other topper that you like. I think no matter what you try to do to fill, fix, undent, etc. will ultimately look like you tried and failed to save it.
Smooth out the rough spots and apply contact paper or tile. The tile would be more durable. Just a few squares of floor tile would be easy to handle. Peel and stick is easy to cut, and cleans up easily.
What do you all think of sanding it down, touching up the spots, then say, chalk painting it? or is there something else that's more durable? hmmm. Thanks for the help!
It is laminate over MDF not Thermofoil. Sand down the high spots and lightly sand the laminate to remove the gloss. You can prime, paint, seal with at least three coats of water based poly.. Use a foam roller and foam brush to get a smooth finish. You cover the surface with just anything you want. Spray paint and sealer, wood strips, veneer plywood, contact paper, decoupage etc.
Pretty sure this can be fixed certainly worth a try. The area needs to be flattened sanded before repair --If bubbled and loose.
Im not sure how deep the defect is in the photo, but I have used this Enamel epoxy touch up paint for laminate kitchen cabinets and metal enamelware. It was a few dollars at Walmart.
Another idea might be a paint chip that would in the auto departments. They usually have a two part paint and clear coat top sealer.
IKEA material takes wallpaper beautifully. I covered my night stand tops/shelves with a textured vinyl and it looks great and was easy to do. The possibility’s are endless for color/pattern.
Good luck!