Nothing you put on top will make the first layer stick better to whatever it's on. Do you mean that the paint is not drying properly? Then maybe there is something wrong with the paint, or maybe it needs to dry for longer.

Or is it just that it comes off when things are placed on it? If it's the second one, you probably didn't prepare the surface properly and there is nothing to be done about that except removing the paint and doing it right the next time.

You didn't say what the desk is made of, so I can't guess what else might have gone wrong.

Karen is right. If you didn't prepare the surface properly, the paint will always feel sticky and will peel. Applying anything else on top won't help--whatever you apply is only as good as the surface to which it is applied. If you want the desk to look nice, sand off all that paint and go right down to the wood. Then prime it and topcoat it, and you will be so happy that you did!

So I used an acrylic latex enamel paint to paint my desk. However, I know nothing about painting furniture so right now I'm stuck with a sticky desk. Is there any way to fix it where it won't be sticky and placing items won't cause the paint to peel? Like a matte varnish?

Thank you!