ᐅ How can I change the color of Malm furniture after purchase?

Hello everyone, I have a Malm dresser from IKEA and would like to change its color afterwards. However, I am unsure which materials are best suited to achieve a smooth, even finish without compromising the quality of the furniture. I am leaning towards painting, but wonder if it is necessary to apply a primer first or if paints can adhere directly to the laminate, and how I should best prepare the surface. Which types of paint and methods work best to achieve a long-lasting and visually appealing color change? Thanks in advance for any helpful tips and experiences!

Hey, your question is very well formulated, which makes it easier to help you! 🙂 Malm furniture is usually coated with a melamine layer, which is a type of plastic laminate. If you just paint over it with regular paint, you often end up with peeling later on. The important first step is to roughen the surface well—either with sandpaper (240 grit or finer) or with an appropriate primer. After that, use a bonding primer designed specifically for smooth surfaces. Then you can apply acrylic paint, which is flexible and adheres well. Don’t worry, with some patience you’ll achieve great results. Good luck!

Roughen the surface, apply a primer for plastic, then acrylic paint. Done.

Hello MAUJEREMIA, I think it’s great that you are already asking so specifically about the work steps. This makes advising much easier. I recommend proceeding step by step. First, thoroughly clean the surface with a degreasing cleaner to ensure no dirt or oil remains. Then lightly sand the surface, ideally with 240-grit sandpaper or a sanding pad, just to improve adhesion. Very important: use a bonding agent or primer that is specifically designed for coated or melamine surfaces – you can find this at a specialty store or hardware store, often labeled as a “universal primer” for plastics. After that, you can paint with a high-quality acrylic or furniture lacquer, preferably applying several thin coats. Lightly sand between coats to ensure good adhesion of the new paint. Patience is key here. This way you avoid cracking, peeling, and uneven color results.

BeAndrea schrieb:
Very important: use a bonding agent or primer that is specifically designed for coated surfaces or melamine finishes

I agree completely, that’s exactly the trick many underestimate. I’ve heard that those who want to be absolutely safe even use a fine abrasive pad beforehand, almost like gently stroking the surface. 😉

I would like to point out that most people who simply sand the surface lightly and then apply paint often end up with noticeable unevenness. Melamine laminates are both very hard and flexible, which causes the paint to crack quickly if all the intermediate steps are not properly followed.

Besides the primer, the type of paint used is crucial. Acrylic paints are popular but not always the best choice, as they do not adhere well to plastic coatings over time unless a chemical bond is formed.

I recommend taking a closer look at alternatives such as two-component (2K) paints, which cure harder and are more resistant. However, be aware that using these requires experience and good ventilation.