ᐅ My KALLAX unit has been heavily scratched after drywall installation – how can I fix this?

Hello everyone,

I recently applied a dry plaster finish to my KALLAX shelf to give the piece a more personalized look. Unfortunately, I found that this caused significant scratches on the surface of my unit. The scratches are relatively deep and cover a large area, which not only affects the appearance but also seems to have damaged the laminate coating.

My questions are: Are there any proven methods to repair scratches like these on the coated surface of a KALLAX unit without having to replace the entire unit? Should I use specific fillers, sanding techniques, or paint products for this?

I would really appreciate any experience or tips on how to make the damage as invisible and permanent as possible. Thank you in advance!

Hello Malik,

Repairing deep scratches on a coated KALLAX surface is indeed somewhat more challenging. The following procedure is usually recommended:

1. Cleaning: First, the surface should be thoroughly cleaned to remove dust and grease.
2. Sanding: Then, lightly sand the affected areas with fine sandpaper (grit 240 to 320) to remove loose fibers.
3. Filler: For larger scratches, a clear or white veneer filler is suitable to fill the depressions.
4. After drying, sand smooth again and, if desired, touch up with a suitable marker or lacquer pen for laminate surfaces.

This is a common method to visually minimize scratches as much as possible. They usually do not disappear completely but are clearly improved.

Fitigu schrieb:
3. Filler: For larger scratches, a transparent or white veneer filler is suitable to fill in the indentations.

I can confirm this. It is important that the filler is compatible with the surface of the KALLAX, otherwise cracks may occur. Afterwards, gently smooth it with very fine sandpaper.

Alternatively, some manufacturers offer renovation kits specifically designed for IKEA furniture, which include wax sticks, markers, and filler. This can make the repair easier if you do not want to carry out a professional renovation.

I can easily understand how frustrating it is when furniture gets damaged by scratches like that.

Perhaps covering it with a decorative film or a thin veneer could also be an option? If the damage is too extensive, this is sometimes the best solution to improve the appearance of the furniture while also protecting it.

You shouldn’t get discouraged – with some patience and creativity, a satisfactory result can usually be achieved 🙂

Malik schrieb:
Should special fillers, sanding techniques, or coating materials be used for this?

Depending on the extent of the scratches, specially formulated repair kits can also be helpful. These often contain so-called melamine resin coatings, which adhere very well to the melamine-coated surfaces of the KALLAX. It is important to:

- Thoroughly degrease the surface beforehand
- Apply the coating in thin layers (e.g., with a foam brush)
- Build up several layers if necessary

This method is labor-intensive but provides the best visual result when done correctly.

Try the following sequence:

1. Clean
2. Touch up scratches with a wax filler pen
3. Wipe off excess

This is usually enough for minor scratches. For deeper ones, using putty or paint is recommended.