ᐅ Is it possible to repaint MALM furniture myself?

Hello everyone, I am considering repainting my IKEA Malm furniture myself. Specifically, it is the chest of drawers with a white, satin-matte finish. I am wondering if repainting it is possible without much effort, what preparations are necessary, and if there are special paints recommended to ensure the surface remains durable and scratch-resistant after painting. Does anyone have experience with painting Malm furniture? Does it damage the furniture surface, and what is the best way to organize the process? I look forward to any tips and advice!

MALM can generally be painted, but preparation is very important. Sand the furniture well, apply a primer, and then use acrylic or synthetic resin paint. Otherwise, the paint will not adhere properly.

Hello! First, you should know that IKEA furniture like MALM usually has a melamine or lacquer coating, which is very smooth and not very absorbent. That’s why sanding is important to help the new paint adhere. It is also crucial to thoroughly clean and degrease the surface. After that, I recommend using a special primer to prevent the paint from peeling. Make sure to apply several thin layers of paint and allow each to dry properly. This will give you a more durable result. If you have any questions about the exact process, I’m happy to help!

Annedeo schrieb:
IKEA furniture like MALM is usually coated with melamine or lacquer, which creates a very smooth and non-porous surface.

This is the crucial point for me. Such a surface is not easy to paint. Additionally, you should check whether you can precisely control the humidity and temperature during painting. Otherwise, bubbles or an uneven finish may occur. In any case, I recommend using a proper primer designed for smooth surfaces.

It's great that you want to repaint your MALM yourself! 🙂 I have had very good experiences with this. The key really is sanding and a patient approach. It’s really rewarding to see the result when everything is dry and nicely smooth! Remember: apply several thin coats of paint and sand lightly in between. You can definitely do it!

Deoren schrieb:
MALM can basically be painted, but preparation is very important.

Thanks for the tip! I’m still wondering: Is it really enough just to sand the surface, or should the furniture foil be completely removed if possible? I’ve read that some MALM furniture uses coated particleboard – in that case, wouldn’t it be better to remove the foil to apply the paint more effectively? Or would that be counterproductive? I don’t want to compromise the stability.