Re-surface a computer desk

[shaithis]

Got a desk that has done me well for many years and I see no reason why it can't go on serving me......but it has accumulated a lot of war scars......and while they do add character, they are getting unsightly!

The front edge has taken the worst of it, plus where the mouse was used before I got a mouse mat has worn strait through the surface....

So, I was planning on taking it to bits and re-surfacing the main desktop part (it's got an extra level above the main desktop part that is smaller to place monitors on)

Any ideas what material I should cover it with? Any pro tips on how to apply said material?

TIA

[Ginger-Menace]

you can get like a sticky back plastic that has woodgrain/colour to it. can get it from art shops/ stationary shops, failing that get an boogibug mouse surface

[kopite]

whats the desk made of?

you could sand it down and repaint/varnish it

Years ago I changed the surfaces on my old desk for kitchen work tops. They are really hard wearing and last ages.

[shaithis]

Sanding/painting/varnishing are certainly not my cup-of-tea.....I am pretty useless at anything that could be deemed "arty" or "manual labour"

Covering a piece of wood with some material is about as far as I dare to go...even then I foresee myself probably doing that wrong!

The desk is the typical chipboard with PVC covering although seems to be of a higher grade then most.....it's lasted 10 years, including 2 long-distance moves where it was dismantled and is still as rigid as the day I first put it together.....hence my reluctance at replacing it.

[shaithis]

you can get like a sticky back plastic that has woodgrain/colour to it. can get it from art shops/ stationary shops, failing that get an boogibug mouse surface

Been looking for a while now and coming up completely blank....

Any links at all please?

[oolon]

Try B&Q. Personally though I would sand it down and paint it with gloss paint, or a dark varnish.

[shaithis]

Haha, thanks. Never thought of searching for "sticky back plastic" lol

That's awesome....and so much choice!

[mycarsavw]

I covered a surface with that adhesive vinyl stuff above in ~2008 - all the edges are cracked and the surface itself is just starting to crack/splinter.

If I had to do it again (which is looking likely) I'd use veneer instead.

[GAteKeeper]

Get a piece of toughened glass cut to fit. Wipes clean and works really well for me

GK

[g8ina]

Ive actually just done exactly this job.

I bought a 3ft x 2ft slab of 3/8 ply from B&Q (£11) and cut it to size and simply bolted it on top of the existing top. A bit of sanding to make sure I dont get edge splinters and we are away.

My next job is the Fablon (sticky back stuff) at a fiver a roll from Wilkinsons.

[peterb]

If you want something a bit harder wearing than fablon (other sticky back plastics are available) you could use a laminate, like Formica. It is a bit shiny, but very hard wearing. Apply it carefully with contact adhesive (evo-stik) and if it is a little oversize use a fine rasp to trim it down flush with the edge.

http://www.formica.co.uk/publish/sit...oodgrains.html