ᐅ Painting IKEA Malm Furniture – What to Consider?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to paint my IKEA Malm dresser myself, but I want to avoid as many mistakes as possible. My specific question is: What should I pay special attention to during the preparation and painting of Malm furniture, especially regarding surface treatment? Which materials provide a durable and even finish? Are there recommended methods for sanding, suitable primers, and types of paint that work well on the coated particleboard used in the Malm series? I would also appreciate any tips on tools and techniques.

Thank you for your support!

Hello ixken,

your question is very well formulated and covers exactly the key points when painting Malm furniture. Preparation is especially important because the surface of IKEA Malm is typically covered with a melamine coating. This coating is very smooth and has low absorbency, so I would recommend sanding the surface first with fine sandpaper (grit 220–320) to ensure the paint adheres properly.

After that, you should definitely use a suitable primer, for example, an adhesion primer designed for difficult surfaces. This ensures that the paint will last permanently. For the paint, you can use acrylic or alkyd paint; alkyd paint is more durable but takes a bit longer to dry.

Tools: A good foam roller for smooth surfaces and brushes for corners are useful. Lightly sand between coats to smooth the surface.

If you like, I can also provide specific product recommendations that have proven effective. Good luck!

I would say: sand well, apply a primer, then apply opaque paint in thin layers. Apply multiple coats, not too thick. Don’t forget to sand lightly between coats.

fikeo schrieb:
The preparation is especially important, as the surface of IKEA Malm furniture is typically coated with melamine.

That is absolutely correct. Additionally, when sanding, I recommend not removing the entire coating but only roughening the surface to avoid loss of adhesion. A water-based primer is usually unsuitable; instead, an epoxy or polyurethane primer should be used, as these provide better adhesion to melamine.

Furthermore, the choice of paint is crucial: water-based acrylic paints are more environmentally friendly but may be less durable. As a compromise, a two-component (2K) polyurethane paint offers optimal durability.

Recommendation: Test the paint on an inconspicuous area before applying to check compatibility.

So, I painted my Malm chest of drawers last year – and yes, it’s a project that requires patience. 🙂

My advice: Don’t just sand thoroughly, but also make sure to remove all dust! Dust on the surface completely ruins the finish. And “thin coats” are really key. It’s better to apply several light coats rather than one thick layer.

And of course, don’t forget to have a bit of fun – it makes the work easier! 😉

LUISABEL schrieb:
A water-based primer is usually unsuitable; instead, an epoxy or polyurethane primer should be used, as these provide better adhesion to melamine.

This point is very important to ensure the long-term durability of the paint finish. Additionally, I recommend sanding with 320 grit to create a uniformly roughened surface without causing damage.

Furthermore, the ambient temperature during painting should ideally be between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius (59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit) to guarantee optimal drying. High humidity can negatively affect the paint and lead to an uneven surface.

Using two-component (2K) paints offers several advantages over single-component systems due to the chemical reaction involved, especially in terms of abrasion resistance and chemical durability.