ᐅ KALLAX develops small bubbles on the surface when exposed to sunlight – how can this be removed?

Hello everyone,

I hope someone here has experience with the following issue: I have an IKEA KALLAX shelf that has been positioned in a sunny spot in the room for some time. Recently, I’ve noticed small, fine bubbles forming on the surface of the KALLAX after prolonged exposure to sunlight. The surface feels slightly rough in places, and the tiny bubbles are visible, especially on close inspection. I suspect the material or the plastic coating of the shelf is reacting to the UV radiation.

My question: What is the best way to remove or reduce these small bubbles on the KALLAX surface? Is there a gentle method that won’t damage the surface or further affect the coating? I would prefer not to repaint the shelf or use harsh chemicals, as I want to preserve the original appearance.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hey Sinus, that’s really interesting! 🙂 I’ve also seen those bubbles caused by sunlight on laminate or similar surfaces. My advice: first, gently sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper (e.g., 400 grit), but just lightly! Then try a polish designed for plastic surfaces — this often restores the shine and removes minor imperfections. But important: always test first on an inconspicuous spot! Keep your chin up, we’ll get this sorted! 🙂

Hello Sinus,

I can fully understand your issue. The small bubbles on the surface often result from heat exposure, which causes air bubbles or slight material stresses. For removal, I recommend first gently sanding the affected areas with very fine sandpaper (800 grit or finer) to smooth the surface. Afterwards, apply a special plastic polish or a furniture care balm to protect the surface and restore the shine.

Important: Work carefully and evenly to avoid visible sanding marks. If possible, test the method first on a hidden spot.

If the bubbles are very deep, a complete recoating might also be useful, but this should be considered as a last resort.

Fredlo schrieb:
My tip: First, gently work the area with fine sandpaper (e.g., 400 grit)

Thanks, Fredlo! Is 400 grit sandpaper really enough? I was thinking more along the lines of 800 to 1000 grit, since I want to be very careful not to completely wear off the coating.

nikian schrieb:
Work carefully and evenly to avoid visible sanding marks

That makes sense. I’m wondering, though, what the best way is to seal the area afterward without losing an invisible transition. I couldn’t find any official recommendations from IKEA on this. Does anyone have experience with suitable polishes or similar products specifically for KALLAX?

Hello Sinus,

I’d like to address the topic with a bit more technical detail: The KALLAX is usually made of a coated engineered wood panel, with a surface covered by a plastic foil. UV rays and heat cause microscopic expansion and sometimes delamination in such foils, which appear as bubbles.

Sanding is the most common method to remove uneven spots, but you must be sure to distinguish between the actual plastic coating and the substrate panel. I recommend testing a small area on an edge or backside first. Use 800 to 1000 grit sandpaper to work very thinly and evenly.

After that, be sure to treat the area with a polish suitable for plastic, for example “Plast Star” or an acrylic-based furniture polish. The polish fills fine scratches and restores gloss. Additionally, you might consider applying a thin protective layer with a clear furniture wax or a UV-resistant sealant to further reduce bubble formation.

Another tip: ventilate the room well to minimize moisture damage or temperature fluctuations.

Question: Have you tried moving the shelf away from direct sunlight, or are the bubbles visible in several locations?

FABIAN_DEO schrieb:
Use 800 to 1000 grit sandpaper to work very thinly and evenly

Thank you for the detailed response! Yes, the shelf is currently fixed right at this sunny spot because the room cannot be arranged differently. I only found bubbles on this one side; the other sides look fine.

I will follow your approach and also get the polish, as that seems sensible. Another question: Are there any specific recommended products for KALLAX or these films? Or should I just improvise with regular polishes?

I also find the tip about UV protective sealant very helpful; it’s definitely worth taking precautions. Basically, I want to interfere as little as possible with the surface to preserve the original look.