ᐅ IKEA MALM nightstand plastic broken – any repair or gluing tips?

Hello everyone,

I accidentally snapped the plastic part on the side of the drawer of my IKEA Malm nightstand, and unfortunately, the break is quite severe. It’s the thin plastic panel that stabilizes the drawer on the side. My question to the community is: which adhesives or bonding techniques work best to firmly and permanently reconnect broken plastic like this?

I have considered using epoxy resin but am unsure how well it adheres to this type of plastic and, especially, if it is suitable for a load-bearing area like this. I am also interested to know whether mechanical reinforcement (e.g., small screws or clamps) would be advisable, or if the adhesive alone would suffice.

Has anyone repaired something similar or can provide recommendations based on experience?

Thanks in advance!

Hello Deolaurits,

I completely understand how frustrating it is when a piece of furniture you use regularly breaks, especially when it’s supposed to be practical. I once had a similar issue with a MALM accessory, also involving plastic parts.

Deolaurits schrieb:
My question to the community: Which adhesives or bonding techniques work best to firmly and permanently repair broken plastic?

In my experience, two-part adhesive (epoxy resin) works really well if applied to clean, bare broken edges and allowed to cure properly. I also think it’s worth reinforcing the repair with small metal clips or similar supports, especially when the area bears weight. Back then, I used transparent, very thin tape strips as an additional hold until the glue dried.

Deolaurits schrieb:
whether mechanical reinforcement (e.g., small screws or clips) would be advisable

Yes, I would definitely recommend that. Also, make sure the adhesive you choose is specifically designed for plastics—some glues don’t stick well to ABS or similar materials. Epoxy resin is usually a reliable choice.

Hope this helps you out. Good luck! 🙂

Here are some facts and tips for repairing broken plastic parts on furniture like the IKEA MALM nightstand:

1. Identify the plastic material: MALM often uses ABS or rigid PVC for the side panels. For these plastics, epoxy adhesives or specialized solvent-based plastic glues work best.

2. Preparation: The bonding surfaces must be dry, free of grease, and slightly roughened (e.g., with fine sandpaper). This significantly improves adhesion.

3. Adhesive: 5-minute epoxy provides strong hold but is not flexible. More flexible polyurethane adhesives might be better for parts subject to slight movement but are often harder to apply.

4. Mechanical reinforcement: To stabilize fracture areas on stressed edges, small screws or thin metal clamps can be useful. It is important that screws do not cause additional cracks.

5. Curing: The adhesive must cure completely, at least 24 hours, preferably 48, depending on the product.

Finally, spare parts from the IKEA service may be an option if the repair is not satisfactory.

I hope these points help make the decision easier.

RENMA schrieb:
5-minute epoxy resin provides a strong hold

That is correct. 5-minute epoxy resin is very well suited. Important: clean the bonding surfaces thoroughly.

Deolaurits schrieb:
whether mechanical reinforcement (e.g., small screws or clips) would be useful

Small metal screws or clips significantly increase stability – but pre-drill and be careful not to cause the plastic to crack again.

A tip: press the broken parts together as precisely as possible before securing them with glue or screws. This makes it more stable.

As long as you work carefully, such a repair will last a long time.