Painting old IKEA desk?

[MadameSapphire]

Inherited a very old IKEA desk and would like to paint it - any advice re. prep and paint type, please? It’s definitely not wood (hence the question!). TIA.

Gentle bump. 🤞🏼

Just a bump really as I don't have the answer but was thinking about doing the same with wardrobe doors. I've been thinking a good sand and then a coat of zinsser and then away I go. But someone else might have a better idea.

Was going to suggest BIN by Zinsser too! Then your choice of colour over.

We user the Zinsser BIN primer with a mini paint roller then regular.paint over the top - works fine so far!

There is a Facebook group for Frenchic paint - loads of people on there paint ikea furniture, along with all sorts of other things - so that’s worth a look. There’s lots of advice and photos on the group.

V33 Renovation cupboard paint is good - I used it on an old varnished wood dresser and it came up a treat and it is supposed to be good for melamine type surfaces too. It says you don't need to key it, but I gave mine a very quick blast with the sander just to be sure and then washed it down. Its a very thin runny paint, and you think it isn't going to work, but it really does. Like painting your nails, two or three thin coats is better than one thick, take your time and use a fine smooth foam roller to apply it so you don't get brush strokes. Leave it to dry at least 24 hours and try not to use it too much in the 1st week as it seems to sort of further cure and harden in that time?

I don't think it has a huge colour range though, so if you want something more exotic than various shades of white, grey or black you might be better looking at Rustoleum (no experience of this particular paint). I wouldn't go for a chalk paint for a desk though as the chalkiness of the finish may rub off on you.

Have a look at 'cupboard' paints at somewhere like B&Q to get some ideas