PURPOSE: To prepare the titled resin having excellent storage stability and water-solubility before curing, and giving a cured product having small dimensional change, by adding a specific amount of formaldehyde to melamine, reacting uner alkaline condition, and adding a polyhydric alcohol to the reaction product.

CONSTITUTION: 1.4W1.8mol of formaldehyde is added to 1mol of melamine, and made to react under alkaline condition to obtain the precondensate of melamine resin. The precondensate is mixed with a polyhydric alcohol (e.g. glycerin, 3- methylpentane-1,3,5-triol, etc.). The amount of the alcohol is pref. 5W20wt% of the melamine regin.

EFFECT: The resin gives a cured product having excellent thermal crazing resistance and mar resistance.

USE: Decorative laminate, paint, etc.