What's the most durable way to finish a particleboard desk top (paint, laminate sheeting)?

Question

I'm refinishing an old school desk -- typical elementary classroom desk from the 80s, with a metal base/storage compartment and a particleboard veneered top. The particleboard top is in pretty rough condition.

I'm trying to figure out a way to finish the particleboard to make it a durable desk top. Is there any way to paint over the veneer and finish it that wouldn't get roughed up easily? Is there any kind of laminate sheeting or equivalent that is relatively easy to install?

As a last resort, I was thinking of just painting it and then getting a piece of plexiglass cut to go on top.

Ideas?

Answer 1

either idea is good but if you want to paint it sand out all the rough bits then fill with a 2 part builders filler and paint with a good enamel paint that would fix it however i think the most durable idea would be to get a plastic laminate and stick that on with contact glue... see a cabinet maker and see if you can get an off cut from them as it becomes expensive..

Answer 2

you can buy laminate sheeting at lowes or home depot cut it 1/2 inch bigger all the way around the desk top then use a round over bit with a ballbearing guide on a router to trim it close you'll need to adjust the depth so it just barely rounds the edge of the laminate not the desktop itself .

Hope this helps you