ᐅ KALLAX develops small bubbles on the surface when exposed to sunlight – how can this be removed?
Created on: 13 Feb 2015 08:23
S
Sinus
Hello everyone,
I hope someone here has experience with the following issue: I have an IKEA KALLAX shelf that has been positioned in a sunny spot in the room for some time. Recently, I’ve noticed small, fine bubbles forming on the surface of the KALLAX after prolonged exposure to sunlight. The surface feels slightly rough in places, and the tiny bubbles are visible, especially on close inspection. I suspect the material or the plastic coating of the shelf is reacting to the UV radiation.
My question: What is the best way to remove or reduce these small bubbles on the KALLAX surface? Is there a gentle method that won’t damage the surface or further affect the coating? I would prefer not to repaint the shelf or use harsh chemicals, as I want to preserve the original appearance.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I hope someone here has experience with the following issue: I have an IKEA KALLAX shelf that has been positioned in a sunny spot in the room for some time. Recently, I’ve noticed small, fine bubbles forming on the surface of the KALLAX after prolonged exposure to sunlight. The surface feels slightly rough in places, and the tiny bubbles are visible, especially on close inspection. I suspect the material or the plastic coating of the shelf is reacting to the UV radiation.
My question: What is the best way to remove or reduce these small bubbles on the KALLAX surface? Is there a gentle method that won’t damage the surface or further affect the coating? I would prefer not to repaint the shelf or use harsh chemicals, as I want to preserve the original appearance.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Good morning everyone,
I’d like to add this: if you actually want to use sandpaper, make sure to use water as a lubricant for wet sanding. This prevents the paper from clogging and helps you achieve a smoother finish. :-)
And don’t worry, with a bit of patience, the bubbles will hardly be visible after polishing. The shelf will look really nice again!
A little tip: afterwards, you can rub some furniture oil in with a soft cloth; this nourishes the surface and reduces the chance of further damage from sunlight.
Good luck, and feel free to share how it turned out! 🙂
I’d like to add this: if you actually want to use sandpaper, make sure to use water as a lubricant for wet sanding. This prevents the paper from clogging and helps you achieve a smoother finish. :-)
And don’t worry, with a bit of patience, the bubbles will hardly be visible after polishing. The shelf will look really nice again!
A little tip: afterwards, you can rub some furniture oil in with a soft cloth; this nourishes the surface and reduces the chance of further damage from sunlight.
Good luck, and feel free to share how it turned out! 🙂
Hello Sinus,
I would like to add some information, also from a technical perspective regarding materials and surfaces:
The blistering on the KALLAX surface caused by sun exposure is likely due to delamination, where the adhesive layer between the wood-based panel and the foil separates because of UV and heat exposure.
Sanding down the blisters is a reasonable approach, but it must be done very carefully to avoid further damage such as increased peeling. Using fine sandpaper (grade 800 or finer) wet sanding is recommended, as leomo mentioned, since this minimizes surface damage and helps achieve a uniform result.
Afterward, I suggest treating the surface with special polyurethane polishes or acrylic sealers. A thin coat of water-based, UV-stabilized clear lacquer can be very helpful here as it protects the material from further blistering. Make sure that the lacquer is compatible with plastic films to prevent unwanted chemical reactions.
Another idea would be to apply a matte or satin matte protective film as a UV filter after sanding and polishing – this provides long-term protection without major intervention.
One more question: Does the KALLAX have a scratch-resistant surface? Some versions have a high-gloss foil, others a matte one, which can affect the treatment approach.
I would like to add some information, also from a technical perspective regarding materials and surfaces:
The blistering on the KALLAX surface caused by sun exposure is likely due to delamination, where the adhesive layer between the wood-based panel and the foil separates because of UV and heat exposure.
Sanding down the blisters is a reasonable approach, but it must be done very carefully to avoid further damage such as increased peeling. Using fine sandpaper (grade 800 or finer) wet sanding is recommended, as leomo mentioned, since this minimizes surface damage and helps achieve a uniform result.
Afterward, I suggest treating the surface with special polyurethane polishes or acrylic sealers. A thin coat of water-based, UV-stabilized clear lacquer can be very helpful here as it protects the material from further blistering. Make sure that the lacquer is compatible with plastic films to prevent unwanted chemical reactions.
Another idea would be to apply a matte or satin matte protective film as a UV filter after sanding and polishing – this provides long-term protection without major intervention.
One more question: Does the KALLAX have a scratch-resistant surface? Some versions have a high-gloss foil, others a matte one, which can affect the treatment approach.
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