ᐅ Why does the paint peel off on MALM?

Over the past few months, I have repeatedly noticed that the finish on the edges and larger surfaces of my IKEA Malm dresser is flaking off quite noticeably. The flaking usually appears as sharp-edged areas where the top layer of the finish peels away, exposing the wood underneath. I am particularly interested in which factors related to manufacturing or materials could cause this paint or finish to detach, as I previously understood that furniture in this price range is at least superficially sealed and offers a certain level of abrasion resistance.

My question is therefore: What causes the finish on IKEA Malm furniture to chip and peel so quickly and clearly? Is it a general issue with the type of paint or primer used, or do processing and handling play a bigger role? Are there known weak points with these pieces, for example due to the combination of materials used (particleboard, MDF, veneer) or environmental factors such as moisture and temperature?

I look forward to detailed explanations that go beyond personal experiences and also address the technical aspects that can help explain this phenomenon.

Lugipa schrieb:
What causes the paint on IKEA MALM furniture to chip so quickly and noticeably?

The finish on MALM furniture is typically a thin solvent-based or water-based coating applied directly onto engineered wood panels (usually MDF or particleboard). Common reasons for the paint chipping include:

- Poor adhesion of the coating to the very smooth or contaminated substrate. Particleboard often has voids or uneven areas that weaken the coating mechanically.
- Stresses in the paint layer caused by different expansion rates between the engineered wood and the coating during temperature or humidity changes. Engineered wood swells somewhat with moisture, while paint does so less.
- Mechanical impact and wear at edges, which is common with MALM dressers since the edges are thinly coated and minimally protected.
- Possible material defects like incomplete priming or insufficient curing of the paint during mass production.

Additionally, it should be noted that budget furniture is often only surface-coated for cost reasons (unlike the layered finish typical in solid wood), limiting long-term resistance against mechanical damage.

Recommended measures to improve durability:

- Handle gently and avoid mechanical stress, especially on edges
- Monitor indoor climate to prevent large humidity fluctuations
- If needed, apply additional clear coats suitable for furniture

Overall, chipping on MALM furniture is a known issue resulting from both manufacturing processes and material properties, not an isolated case.

kauti schrieb:
is attributable to both manufacturing processes and material properties

I would suggest a slightly more nuanced perspective here: the cause cannot simply be assigned to either the paint or the material. It is certainly true that particleboard and MDF are generally more challenging to coat than solid wood. However, furniture like MALM is indeed permanently painted.

What concerns me more is whether the method of paint application plays a role—for example, in surface preparation. If the surface has not been properly degreased or pretreated with a primer, permanent adhesion is technically unachievable. In addition, the paint layers should have sufficient elasticity to accommodate movements of the wood-based panel.

Another aspect that is rarely mentioned is the role of transportation and assembly. Especially with MALM dressers, which are often self-assembled, improper handling, overtightening of screws, or misaligned parts can mechanically stress the paint layer and lead to premature damage.

Focusing solely on material defects may underestimate user behavior. It would be interesting to see if there are cases where, depending on the type of use, no paint chipping occurs compared to others.

Lugipa schrieb:
Are there any known weaknesses with this type of furniture, for example due to the combination of materials (particle board, MDF, veneer) or environmental factors like moisture and temperature?

To add: Yes, especially the combination of low-quality particle boards and the commonly used thin melamine or lacquer coating (in the case of MALM it seems to be a type of plastic lacquer) increases the likelihood of chipping.

Furniture made from particle board, as mentioned, absorbs moisture and swells, which puts stress on the lacquer layer. This can cause the coating to crack or chip.

Additionally, the edge sealing on MALM is often minimal. These edges are particularly vulnerable because the coating is thin and offers little mechanical protection. Moving furniture, bumping it against walls, or not properly drying it in damp environments increases the chance of the lacquer flaking off.

Another weak point is the stress during assembly; the lacquer layer can suffer, especially when the boards are very thin and can flex under pressure.

In short, the problem has multiple causes:
1. Particle board swelling
2. Thin lacquer with limited flexibility
3. Weak edge sealing
4. Mechanical stress
5. Environmental factors (moisture, heat)

I would like to share a more emotional perspective because I was quite frustrated with this exact issue on my MALM wardrobe. At first, I believed IKEA furniture would be durable products – but the fact that the paint chips off so quickly is really disappointing. You usually invest some time and care into assembling the furniture.

Sometimes you wonder if you did something wrong or if the furniture just isn’t designed to last more than a few years without visible damage. I also wish the surface, especially on the edges, were more durable or that a tougher coating was used.

At the same time, you shouldn’t have to be overly cautious because furniture is meant to be used. But when you start seeing paint damage after normal use, it becomes frustrating. Maybe IKEA could improve this or provide advice on how to avoid such damage. For example, an extra coating on the edges during assembly or some kind of protective film for shipping.

I hope my experience helps to understand that this issue also affects users who try to handle their furniture carefully.

CORYGAU schrieb:
It would be interesting to know if there are cases where no chipping occurs depending on the type of use compared to others

I would like to pick up on this thought and add: Yes, user behavior is a crucial factor and should not be underestimated.

Additionally, it can be noted that the coating on MALM furniture has been industrially optimized to minimize production costs. The painted surface is a thin hard lacquer layer with very little elasticity, so it immediately shows cracks or chips under localized stress or pressure releases.

Another important point is that MDF and particleboard are naturally hygroscopic. When MALM furniture is placed in rooms with fluctuating humidity levels, the panels expand and contract, and any movement is detrimental to the rigid lacquer coating.

Therefore, for users of such furniture, I recommend:
- Check the indoor climate and avoid high humidity
- Avoid impacts and sharp edge stresses
- If necessary, apply protective layers like thin clear coats to prevent minor damage

In summary, the combination of material properties (stress from moisture), industrial coating (thin, rigid), and mechanical stress (transport, usage) is the main reason for chipping.