DIYer's secret to painting Ikea furniture and laminate surfaces without sanding first

Ikea's affordable furniture makes it perfect for DIYers looking to add their own spin to a product without breaking the bank.

But many pieces from the retailer come with a shiny finish that needs to be sanded off before adding paint.

And that time-consuming and messy task tends to deter people from pulling out their paintbrushes.

READ MORE: The bulk buy discounts shoppers are snapping up

You can put the sand paper away though, because a DIYer has found a solution to that problem and it comes down to the type of primer you use.

LeeAnne, a home décor and design fan from Canada, shared her secret in a video on her TikTok channel @lifewithleeanne.

Watch the video above.

The clip followed LeeAnne's latest DIY project, which was a a custom office built-in wall unit made from various Ikea cabinets and bookcases.

"Whenever I share this Ikea hack the most common question I get is how I painted shiny laminate furniture without sanding it top to bottom. The secret is to use shellac-based primer," she said.

LeeAnne explained the primer might look separated when you first open the tin but once it's mixed it will look the right colour.

"The final texture is really thin and it dries very quickly. Let your shellac harden for two to three days before you paint over it. You should get really nice coverage when you paint compared to the splotchy coverage you would get without using this primer," she explained.

READ MORE: Ikea's most hackable furniture has been revealed

If you're using the shellac-based primer, just make sure to let it dry thoroughly as LeeAnne says this is the trick to stopping paint scratching off like it usually does from laminate.

The tip was a hit with LeeAnne's followers who were excited to find out about the DIY hack, while others agreed it is the best option for laminate surfaces.

READ MORE: How to hack a $69 Ikea bookcase into a hidden sliding storage unit for your laundry

"This is exactly the TikTok I needed to prove to my husband that you can paint laminate haha. Thanks!" a viewer said.

"This stuff is MAGIC. Used it on kitchen cabinets, looks perfect 3 years in," one posted.

"I painted a bunch of stuff and the paint is all chipping. needed this video last week," a TikToker commented.

"And a little goes a long way! You can get away with the small can for most projects," another wrote.

Australians can find the same brand LeeAnne used at Bunnings with the Zinsser 470ml B-I-N Primer Sealer just $32.20.