ᐅ What to do if Malm drawer fronts are damaged?

Hello everyone,

I have an issue with my IKEA Malm dressers. Several of the drawer fronts have scratches, small dents, and in some places even paint chips. I am especially interested in how to best treat or repair such damage without having to replace the entire front. Are there any proven repair methods, perhaps special repair kits or techniques you would recommend? I would like to know how to restore the appearance as well as possible and whether I can expect a long-lasting result. Thanks for your tips!

If there are only minor scratches, you can repair them using a suitable furniture touch-up pen. For more significant damage, filler compound followed by sanding usually helps. I would only recommend painting if you have some experience.

plopra schrieb:
If they are only minor scratches, you can touch them up with a suitable furniture repair marker.

Isn’t that more of a cosmetic quick fix? IKEA furniture is usually so affordable that it’s often worth taking the risk of just buying a new front. Considering the work and time involved, sometimes it’s hardly worth putting in so much effort.

If the fronts are still in good condition and have only minor scratches, repair is worthwhile. For chips, there are repair kits with filler and paint that provide really good results.

Hey jokutra! 😊 So, I tried it myself: For small scratches, a simple furniture touch-up pen usually works quite well. For bigger dents, I use liquid wood or filler and then lightly sand it. After that, I apply some matching paint, and the table looks good again. It doesn’t cost much and the result is acceptable – of course, not like new, but hey, that’s what I like about DIY projects 😊.

Hello jokutra, I understand that damaged Malm fronts can be frustrating. The challenge with these surfaces is to maintain the light paint finish and smooth appearance. My recommendation is to first gently clean the surface, then lightly sand it with fine sandpaper (grit 400 or finer). After that, use an acrylic filler for the repair, as it blends well. Finally, apply a matt or satin finish paint from your local hardware store. Patience is important here, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly in between. I hope this helps you.