I just painted an old computer desk(cheap) with semi gloss paint and it's scraping off.What can I do about it?

Is there a sealer or something I can put on to protect it from scraping off? I have a distressed look going and don't want it to look perfect,but old instead.I just painted an old computer desk(cheap) with semi gloss paint and it's scraping off.What can I do about it?
Your problem has several possible causes and several possible answers. The real problem you have is a binding issue, which basicly means the paints not sticking. We have to find out why, because anything you put on top of the failing paint is only as good as what is underneath it. I like to use the expression of building a million dollar home on a one hundred dollar foundation, it just doesn't work.





Reasons for the paint not binding may be:


1.) There was a wax or furniture polish on the furniture, basicly nothing will stick to it unless it is cleaned off.





2.) The surface is too ';slick';, this is often the case with formica, sometimes melamine or surfaces that had a real good coat of polyurethane.





3.) The paint is of inferior quality and lacks good binding power.





4.) The paint is not fully cured or dried yet. Paint (particularly latex) usually takes a week to reach its full dry. It may be dry to the touch, but it still needs this time before you start abusing it. This is especially true if you applied multiple coats in a short period of time (a few hours).





How can you fix it?





Well when you say its scraping off, I tend to think you can run your fingernail on it and strip the paint off. If this is the case there is nothing you can do but take a putty knife to it and strip it off. Sorry. Anything you put on top will fail, but let me be specific: you could put an oil primer or polyurethane over it, but these are only going to give you a false sense of durability. Once something scratches them, it will rip that coat and more of the coat underneath it off. I go back to my whole foundation idea.





Realistically, you said the computer desk was cheap, you might try the polyurethane or oil primer if you plan on replacing it within a year, or if its going to be minimal usage. Save your money and time to buy a better desk.





If the project has really got you and become a personal vendetta (not uncommon I have had many customers like that), then I would suggest scraping off the failing paint with a putty knife. Then clean it with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol...this will remove any waxes and polish as well as stripping any remaing paint that the scraping didn't get. What ever doesn't come off at this point has actually bonded and isn't going anywhere, don't waste anymore time trying to get it off. Then go out and buy a quart of bonding primer or high tack, high adhesion primer at your local paint store. I recommend one of the following:





023-00 Benjamin Moore Fresh Start


116-11 Coronado Grip%26amp; Seal


2205 Muralo Universal


2001 Zinsser 1-2-3


STIX from Insl-x





Sherwin Williams makes one as well, but I don't know the name of it. Avoid products like Kilz, Behr or Walmart brands they're just not strong enough. All of the brands listed above are made to stick to tough surfaces.





At that point you can apply any paint to the piece, because it is essentially sticking to the primer and not the surface. Hope I helped.I just painted an old computer desk(cheap) with semi gloss paint and it's scraping off.What can I do about it?
Polyurethane





They have a water based spray on product that works pretty well


just follow the instructions
use a oil base sealer,and then paint it with semigloss,you probably used a water base semi gloss and that's why its not sticking.
Seal it as it is with a non-yellowing, UVB/UVA protecting polyurethane like Varathane. It comes in both brush on and paint on, but you will need a few coats to really seal where it is peeling.