ᐅ After rearranging furniture, new scratches always appear on the Kallax shelves—any ideas for protection?
Created on: 29 Sep 2022 19:07
N
noamdan
Hello everyone,
I regularly rearrange my Kallax shelving unit to change the room layout a bit or better suit my needs. However, I have the problem that after each time I move the furniture, I find new scratches on the surface of the Kallax—mostly along the edges or the front. Apparently, parts rub or scrape against the floor or other furniture when I slide the shelf. Since the Kallax is made of MDF with a melamine coating, it doesn’t seem to be very resistant to mechanical wear.
Does anyone have experience with ways to better protect the Kallax shelving when moving it? Are there special protective films, stickers, felt pads, or other materials that can prevent new scratches without compromising the appearance or stability? I would prefer not to constantly sand out new scratches or have to replace the shelves altogether.
I would be very grateful for concrete suggestions and tips!
I regularly rearrange my Kallax shelving unit to change the room layout a bit or better suit my needs. However, I have the problem that after each time I move the furniture, I find new scratches on the surface of the Kallax—mostly along the edges or the front. Apparently, parts rub or scrape against the floor or other furniture when I slide the shelf. Since the Kallax is made of MDF with a melamine coating, it doesn’t seem to be very resistant to mechanical wear.
Does anyone have experience with ways to better protect the Kallax shelving when moving it? Are there special protective films, stickers, felt pads, or other materials that can prevent new scratches without compromising the appearance or stability? I would prefer not to constantly sand out new scratches or have to replace the shelves altogether.
I would be very grateful for concrete suggestions and tips!
Quick question for the experts:
Just to be sure: When choosing edge banding or protective film, is there anything to watch for regarding the material, especially since Kallax has a melamine coating? I’ve read that some adhesives can potentially damage the surface or leave residue when removed later.
I don’t find moving it particularly difficult in principle—I try to lift rather than slide—but in everyday use, this doesn’t always happen, especially when space is tight.
KIN42 schrieb:
Edge banding is available at hardware stores, from online specialty furniture accessory suppliers, or from suppliers of specific upholstery materials
Just to be sure: When choosing edge banding or protective film, is there anything to watch for regarding the material, especially since Kallax has a melamine coating? I’ve read that some adhesives can potentially damage the surface or leave residue when removed later.
I don’t find moving it particularly difficult in principle—I try to lift rather than slide—but in everyday use, this doesn’t always happen, especially when space is tight.
F
FeAndreas11 Oct 2022 17:45Regarding the question about edge banding and the melamine surface:
The choice of adhesive is crucial here. The best materials use adhesives that are acrylic-based or water-based. Compared to aggressive solvent-based adhesives, these have significantly less interaction with the melamine surface.
Some cheaper edge bands use all-purpose adhesives with aggressive solvents, which can at least visually damage the surface when removed or leave residues that are difficult to clean.
If you are interested in protective films, you should also look for films that are UV-stable and free of plasticizers, so they do not yellow or damage the coating.
Before applying, I always recommend:
- Thoroughly dust and degrease the surface (isopropanol, no acetone!)
- Test on an inconspicuous area
High standards for the adhesive apply especially if you plan to sell the furniture later or want to remove the protective layer without leaving visible damage.
The choice of adhesive is crucial here. The best materials use adhesives that are acrylic-based or water-based. Compared to aggressive solvent-based adhesives, these have significantly less interaction with the melamine surface.
Some cheaper edge bands use all-purpose adhesives with aggressive solvents, which can at least visually damage the surface when removed or leave residues that are difficult to clean.
If you are interested in protective films, you should also look for films that are UV-stable and free of plasticizers, so they do not yellow or damage the coating.
Before applying, I always recommend:
- Thoroughly dust and degrease the surface (isopropanol, no acetone!)
- Test on an inconspicuous area
High standards for the adhesive apply especially if you plan to sell the furniture later or want to remove the protective layer without leaving visible damage.
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