ᐅ KALLAX stained with watercolors after an accident – how to repaint it to look like new?

Hello everyone, I have a KALLAX shelf from IKEA that I painted with water-based paint to give it a personal touch. Unfortunately, there was an accident, and the paint ended up looking patchy because it ran unevenly and peeled off unattractively in some areas. Now I’m looking for a good and durable way to repaint or restore the KALLAX to make it look like new again. I’m especially interested in how to best remove or work over the water-based paint, what sanding and priming steps are necessary, and which type of paint to use so that the surface turns out smooth, durable, and free of patches or streaks. Does anyone have experience renovating KALLAX shelves, especially when they were previously painted, or any tips on the most effective approach? Thanks in advance!

For preparation: You should completely remove the water-based paint or at least sand off any loose paint. Use fine sandpaper with a grit of 180 to 220 to lightly roughen the surface. Afterwards, it is recommended to wipe it dust-free. For the KALLAX, which has a melamine resin-coated surface, it is important to use a suitable primer that adheres to plastic, such as a plastic bonding primer. After that, you can work with acrylic paint or acrylic lacquer suitable for furniture. Apply several thin layers and allow each to dry thoroughly – this prevents staining and ensures an even finish.

Hello deo_pavel, I can confirm Lorukeo’s advice. I had a similar issue with my KALLAX, where I initially used watercolor. It’s important to sand the shelving unit thoroughly so the new paint or varnish adheres properly. After that, I applied a white acrylic varnish using both a brush and a roller – for a smooth finish, a foam roller is recommended. Also, make sure to allow plenty of drying time between coats to prevent stains and streaks. Additionally, keep the room as dust-free as possible to avoid small particles settling on the surface.

deo_pavel schrieb:
how I can best remove or refurbish water-based paint

If the water-based paint cannot be completely removed, I would at least sand it thoroughly to improve the adhesion of the new coating. For KALLAX surfaces, it is also recommended to use a bonding agent or primer, since the melamine-coated plastic is very smooth and paints tend to peel off easily otherwise. Afterwards, acrylic paint or a special furniture or synthetic resin paint is suitable. Both are available in many colors and provide a good surface finish. Additionally, they are resistant to scratches and mechanical wear.

I think it doesn’t sound too bad despite the mishap! 🙂 Just imagine being able to basically “reset” the surface and upcycle your KALLAX. The idea of sanding + primer + a fine acrylic paint layer sounds great. I would even suggest testing a few paint samples on an inconspicuous spot so you can see exactly how it will look afterward and whether glossy or matte suits better. Just be careful not to apply the paint too thickly, or it will dry unevenly. By the way: patience during drying is really essential, even if it’s hard to wait 😉

Lorukeo schrieb:
Use fine sandpaper (grit 180 to 220) to slightly roughen the surface.

That’s helpful, thanks. I was wondering if sanding made any sense at all because of the melamine-coated surface, since it’s extremely smooth. But it really is useful to roughen the area a bit.

tra_nina schrieb:
Use a bonding agent or primer, since the melamine-coated plastic is very smooth and paint otherwise peels off quickly.

I haven’t used a bonding primer for furniture yet. Can you get it at hardware stores or is it better to order online? And how compatible is it with acrylic paint that I want to apply on top?