A few days ago, I bought the Brimnes series from IKEA, and while assembling it, I noticed that some of the included screws appeared slightly rusted. I am particularly interested in whether the screws for BRIMNES at IKEA are generally prone to rust, or if this might be isolated cases related to production or storage. If this happens more often, it would be an important quality aspect to consider for future purchases. I’m asking because rust can affect stability and might cause problems in the long term. Perhaps someone has experience or similar observations. What is the general assessment of the material quality and corrosion protection of the screws used in BRIMNES?
Ankla schrieb:
Are the screws in IKEA’s BRIMNES series generally pre-rusted, or could these be isolated cases related to production or storage?In general, IKEA uses screws made of standard steel for some of their furniture, which are coated with a thin layer of zinc or another surface treatment to prevent corrosion. However, this coating is not completely immune to rust, especially if these metal parts have been stored for a long time under damp or unfavorable conditions.
The slightly rusted screws you described may therefore have resulted from issues during delivery or storage. This does not mean that all screws are pre-rusted or that the entire production run is of poor quality.
During assembly, it is important to check whether the screws are still fully functional—that is, not weakened by rust to the point where they might break or fail to hold properly. In cases of significant rust, the screws can be replaced, as they are usually standardized.
Could you please describe how severe the rust is? Are there clearly visible rust spots or just minor discoloration? This is important to assess whether it is superficial surface rust or corrosion caused during production.
It also helps to consider the storage and delivery conditions—long transport times or high humidity levels can cause rust even on galvanized screws.
Surela schrieb:
Basically, IKEA uses screws made of regular steel for some of their furniture, which have a thin zinc coating or surface treatment to prevent corrosion.Exactly, the screws in the BRIMNES range meet common industry standards: they are galvanized or coated with a corrosion protection film. Pre-rusting is not part of the quality requirements.
Rust usually occurs due to improper storage – excessive humidity or mechanical damage to the coating can be responsible. This is checked during IKEA’s final inspection, but occasionally some rusty screws may still be found in the packages.
If you notice slight rust, it’s advisable to thoroughly clean the screws before assembly or replace them if the rust is more severe. The German standard is that such small parts are replaceable.
For safety and durability, it is recommended to check the condition of screws before starting the assembly.
Honestly, I find it surprising how many users here get upset about "pre-rusted screws" from IKEA.
Of course, they are not generally pre-rusted! In mass production and logistics, there are always exceptions or handling issues – for example, a package might be stored in a humid environment, a coating slightly damaged, and that results in minor rusting.
Sometimes I wonder if some moderators here shouldn’t show a bit more understanding of the realities of storage logistics instead of immediately calling it a "quality defect." Sure, rust on components is not ideal, but it doesn’t automatically mean the furniture is of poor quality.
What I would find more interesting is a discussion about alternatives – why IKEA doesn’t generally use rustproof screws or at least apply a stronger coating. But that is probably a cost issue.
Ankla schrieb:
Are the screws for BRIMNES at IKEA generally pre-rusted, or could these be isolated cases related to production or storage?
Of course, they are not generally pre-rusted! In mass production and logistics, there are always exceptions or handling issues – for example, a package might be stored in a humid environment, a coating slightly damaged, and that results in minor rusting.
Sometimes I wonder if some moderators here shouldn’t show a bit more understanding of the realities of storage logistics instead of immediately calling it a "quality defect." Sure, rust on components is not ideal, but it doesn’t automatically mean the furniture is of poor quality.
What I would find more interesting is a discussion about alternatives – why IKEA doesn’t generally use rustproof screws or at least apply a stronger coating. But that is probably a cost issue.
Ankla schrieb:
Are the screws for BRIMNES at IKEA generally pre-rusted, or could this be isolated cases related to production or storage?I can understand why this would concern you. When assembling furniture, you want to be sure all parts are in good condition.
I have experienced this myself once with an IKEA piece—occasionally, some screws in the set were slightly rusted. It was surprising because I have mostly had positive experiences with IKEA. I carefully cleaned the screws, and there were no issues during assembly.
It’s not ideal, but in your place, I wouldn’t worry too much as long as only a few screws are affected and the structure remains strong. If quality is really important to you, you could contact IKEA’s spare parts service—sometimes they send replacement screws free of charge.
Fortunately, this doesn’t happen often, but I think a bit of understanding for customers with such concerns is important in a community like this.
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