I suppose vaneer would be an option too. I have no idea what to expect to pay though. I have some decent sized tables to do. One of the table tops is about 8x2 ft, the other is 6x3 ft, and my actual desk is in the area of 32"x65". Each of them have a 2 inch side at the top (I think a picture might help when I get home, assuming I have internet activated there tonight).
Vaneer would at least ensure uniformity. If I go that route would I have to strip it down or could I just go to town with them as-is?
About the original option with wood hardener, would I have to strip the paint off?
Wood hardener > Paint > Polycrylic?
EDIT - Nobody sells "veneer" in larger rolls, only small 2 inch strips for facing and whatnot. Someone else suggested I look into Formica, which is what is used on kitchen counters. They noted it as being extremely hard and should do the job I'm after. I think we're going to look into this a little more...
EDIT II -
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1639675,00.html
Looks easy enough, and looks like it would be up my alley for what I want to do. Only thing is, it could ultimately get kind of pricey. a 36x96 sheet of black Formica is 41 bucks, and 30x90 is 37. That could cover my desk and I'm sure the extra I wouldn't use could be used on the sides. My two tables, however, of course have the top as well as a bottom shelf. I'd like to keep everything the same, so I wonder if I should end up doing the bottoms as well. That essentially means I would need 2x as much for the two tables.
So you figure:
Table 1 - Top + Bottom = 37x2
Table 2 - Top + Bottom = 37x2
Desk - Only Top Needed = 41x1
Comes out to 189 just to top off these desks...
This actually makes me think if I should just build new ones down the road (therefore not care if they get marked up for now) and just Formica the main desk.