Has anyone painted over an IKEA laminate desk?

[BelfastSmile]

We've been given an IKEA lift bed which has a built in desk. All great condition except that the desk has been scribbled on with permanent marker. I've tried everything I can think of to clean it off, but nothing has shifted it in the slightest! I was wondering whether I could paint over it - would that work or would it just peel off? The surface is that sort of glossy laminate stuff, so it doesn't feel like it would hold paint well.

If not, any other ideas? It's not the end of the world if we just have to leave it, but I'd like to get it looking cleaner if I can!

You can use vinyl to wrap it

10 Clever Ways to Remove Permanent Marker from Any Surface (familyhandyman.com)

You could use furniture paint or fablon

I painted over a chest of drawers using stuff like this. It did work, but on a desk it might scratch off I think.
Would a giant mouse mat work maybe?

Paint. https://amzn.to/3tpDoRp

Have you tried hairspray on the desk?

Acetone or hairspray will probably get it off.

You could get a permanent marker and scribble artistically over the entire desktop.

Could you get another piece of laminate and stick that on top of it?
You might have to remove the existing laminate but may well be able to avoid that.

Have a look here (it looks quite expensive but probably some cheaper options on ebay or similar):
Laminate Sheets Buy Laminate Sheets Online (topclasscarpentry.com)

No but I painted my pax wardrobes with Valspar furniture paint, no primer.
they’ve lasted well but not sure how a flat desk surface would?

Might be worth asking one of the IKEA hack groups out there what they use. I have definitely seen this kind of material painted over (usually using something like Frenchic, but not sure what it might be printed with) or foiled over.

Can you post a pic?

Oh, a vinyl wrap sounds good... I'm pretty sure I've tried everything else suggested (at least all the ones that I have the stuff for), but it's not shifting!

Vinyl wrap works well, just take your time to avoid creases, if you get any little air bubbles use a plastic ruler or wallpaper smoother to try to push them out and if that fails prick them with a pin and then run a hairdryer over them on low heat.

Yes! frenchic alfresco paint is what you need - amazing stuff

You could get a permanent marker and scribble artistically over the entire desktop
I’ve seen this kind of thing in trendy shops, looks great!

@BelfastSmile - for permanent market I’ve had some success with using a permanent marker over the scribble. Making sure I had a ear bud/tissue to hand.

it does leave a stain behind sometimes and I use a brush/ear bud and some acetone to try and lift the remnants.

I have also had success using both paint and vinyl wrap. If painting ensure you do a good sand, and a primer helps (check out zinsser - I use the red tin) with using a general emulsion but done like frenchic don’t need it.

having tried various combinations over the years, honestly I’d replace with a new piece of laminate.

Try hand sanitizer on it,I know it sounds stupid but honestly that stuff is amazing!

You could try lighter fluid , or nail varnish remover, or surgical spirit . Lots of people ask Nancy Birthwhistle how to remove stains like this on Instagram might be worth looking at her feed to see if she's dealt with marker pen stains successfully before , she's a marvel with this kind of thing .

As a teacher, I’ve accidentally wrote on many a surface with permanent maker- use a white board pen to go over the top of the marker, then rub it off!

I painted the top of a laminated chest of drawers which were scratched on top but otherwise good.

lightly rubbed it down,, painted with Zinsser then top coated with good quality Dulux paint for wood applied with a mini sponge roller.

I have been using Rust-O-Leum to update my vinyl type bedroom furniture. It’s great and I’ve obviously wiped over it many times as it’s my sort of makeup area. And it’s still looking fantastic

I painted our gloss kitchen cupboard doors with primer followed by standard wood and metal paint from Valspar. It hasn't chipped or faded at all, so I imagine would also work on an ikea desk.

I used b and q cabinet paint on laminate bathroom cabinet. It was peeling so sealed with polyurethane. Now hard as nails.

Chalk paint it.

Nail polish remover should get it off

Or hand sanitizer this worked for me