ᐅ Is it possible to paint Ikea BRIMNES furniture easily?

Created on: 29 Jun 2016 10:23
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Maximus61
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Maximus61
29 Jun 2016 10:23
Hello everyone,

I am currently considering painting some of my Ikea Brimnes furniture to better match my interior design. Since I have read that painting furniture with a foil coating is not straightforward, I have a question:

Is it possible to simply paint Ikea BRIMNES furniture?

I am particularly interested in whether the surface of the BRIMNES series—which is usually covered with a type of melamine coating—is suitable for painting. What preparations are necessary to ensure that the paint adheres well and does not peel off later?

Additionally, I am thinking about which type of paint to use—spray paint, acrylic paint, or perhaps a specialized furniture paint?

If anyone here has experience with painting BRIMNES furniture or can share tips on techniques that actually work or don’t, I would appreciate it.

Looking forward to your opinions and experiences!
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Lance
29 Jun 2016 12:48
Hello Maximus61,

Regarding your question about whether Ikea BRIMNES furniture can be painted easily, here is a detailed assessment:

From my experience, BRIMNES furniture usually has a melamine-coated surface, a type of plastic foil that is very smooth and durable. This coating generally makes painting difficult because paint often does not adhere well to it.

Thorough preparation is therefore essential:
- The surface must be sanded, ideally with fine sandpaper (grit 220 to 320), to remove the gloss and create a surface for adhesion.
- Then clean thoroughly, for example with a degreasing cleaner like isopropanol or denatured alcohol, to remove oil and dust residues.

About the paint itself:
- Spray paints from hardware stores often do not adhere well to melamine. I recommend special primers designed for plastics and melamine that must be applied before painting.
- After the primer, use a water-based acrylic paint or a two-component paint (2K). 2K paints offer the best durability but are more complex to apply and require proper ventilation.

Another tip:
- Pay special attention to preparing the edges and corners of the furniture since the coating is often slightly thicker in these areas.

In conclusion: “Can you easily paint Ikea BRIMNES furniture?” – No, it is technically possible, but it requires time, patience, the right materials, and careful preparation. Anyone attempting this without these steps will likely see chipping or scratches in the paint finish quickly.

Do you already have experience with painting or access to a workshop? Then I can provide more targeted advice.
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temeli
29 Jun 2016 15:37
Hey Maximus61!

I just want to encourage you! 😄 I painted my BRIMNES dresser myself, and it worked really well. Of course, it’s not exactly easy because the surface is a bit tricky.

Here’s what I did:
- First sanding with 240-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface.
- Then cleaned thoroughly with denatured alcohol.
- Sprayed on a primer designed specifically for melamine surfaces and let it dry well.
- Afterwards, applied 2 coats of acrylic paint.

It adhered perfectly and looks really great! 😊

So: Yes, you can paint Ikea BRIMNES furniture, you just need patience and to follow the preparation steps carefully. You can do it! 👍
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lopra
29 Jun 2016 17:04
Lance schrieb:
Is it possible to simply paint Ikea BRIMNES furniture?“ – No, it is technically possible, but it requires time, patience, the right materials, and careful preparation.

I agree with that. Important: sand first, then primer, then paint. Without primer, it won’t work.
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gekira
30 Jun 2016 09:22
For additional information:

Although the melamine resin-coated surfaces of BRIMNES furniture are durable, they do not technically provide a good base for standard paint adhesion.

The process should be carried out in the following steps:
- Sanding (grit 240-320)
- Degreasing (isopropanol or acetone)
- Use of a primer specifically designed for melamine
- Multiple layers of paint (acrylic or two-component)

If the laminate coating is damaged in several areas, it is recommended to repair or replace the affected parts, as surface irregularities will otherwise remain visible through the paint.

Improper preparation usually results in the paint peeling off after a few weeks or months.

Conclusion: Painting without proper preparation does not work, but with the right process, BRIMNES furniture can provide a good foundation for a renewed appearance.
R
Rashadmeo
1 Jul 2016 20:45
temeli schrieb:
So: yes, you can paint Ikea BRIMNES furniture, you just need to be patient and follow the preparation steps. You can do it! 👍

Exactly! I recently painted my BRIMNES doors, and they look really great.

I used acrylic paint applied with a spray gun, which made the surface especially smooth. The key is to be patient with sanding between coats and allow enough drying time.

Go for it—the result is definitely worth the effort! 😊