craftgrrl | coffee table refinishing question

Yesterday I was walking home from the 711 and I was this coffee table sitting on the curb and recruited my boyfriend to help me carry it home. Yay for curbside finds.

Anyways, right now its just a basic dark brown, which wouldn't be a problem but thats the same color as my couch! I want to refinish it, and so inlies my problem.

It apperas to made out of partical board covered with some sort of lauqer (think early prefab ikeaesqe) with a plastic rim/edges and base.

I looked through the memories about refinishing Ikea furniture (thanks craftgrrls) but what to do about the plastic? If I missed it I apologize!

Any suggestions on how to refinish plastic - hopefully out of the same substance as the particleboard????

Thanks in advance!!!