ᐅ Adjusting the Color of a Billy Shelf Retrospectively – Tips.

Hello everyone,

I have a Billy bookshelf from Ikea with the standard white shelves and would like to repaint them. Specifically, I’m looking for tips and experiences on how to best paint or lacquer such shelves without the paint peeling or leaving unsightly spots. I’ve read that sanding or priming is important, but I’m unsure which materials and techniques work best for the wood fiberboards (chipboard with melamine coating).

Has anyone successfully refurbished a Billy bookshelf or similar shelves? What should be considered when preparing the surface, especially regarding the coating? Are there specific products (paints, lacquers, sealants) that you would recommend?

I would appreciate detailed advice, including tools or practical tips for application. Thanks in advance!

Hello Lorenzo34,

As you correctly suspect, the melamine coating on the Billy shelves is the critical point if you want to change their color. This surface is very smooth and doesn’t hold paint well, so you need to plan the following steps before painting:

1. Cleaning: Thoroughly degrease the shelves (for example, with a mild dish soap and less water, then dry well).

2. Sanding: Lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper (220-240 grit) – the goal is not to remove the entire surface, but just to create a key for the paint.

3. Priming: Use a bonding primer specifically designed for plastic or melamine surfaces. This ensures better paint adhesion.

4. Paint: Acrylic or acrylic-based paint is best because it is flexible and less likely to peel. Apply several thin coats, as thick layers tend to crack.

5. Sealing: Optionally, protect the surface with a clear coat (matte or glossy, depending on your preference).

For tools, I recommend small foam rollers for even coverage without brush marks. Personally, I’ve had very good experiences with water-based paints because they have low odor and dry quickly.

I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

uslis47 schrieb:
1. Cleaning ... 2. Sanding ... 3. Primer ... 4. Paint ... 5. Sealing

The list by uslis47 perfectly covers the essentials; I would like to add the following:

The melamine coating is especially resistant to mechanical stress and chemicals, so sanding with very fine sandpaper should be done carefully to avoid damaging the surface too much. A sanding pad can be a good alternative here.

Primers with adhesion-promoting properties are recommended. Look for primers that are specifically designed for smooth surfaces such as plastic or melamine.

For painting, both single-component (1-K) acrylic and two-component (2-K) acrylic paints are suitable. The former is easier to apply, while the latter provides a significantly more durable and long-lasting finish but requires a more complex application process.

Avoid oil-based paints, as they have poor adhesion and do not optimize the surface properly. After the final coat of paint, a matte to satin clear coat is advisable to increase scratch resistance.

In summary: Precise preparation is key – the durability of the color change depends largely on this. I recommend doing test areas in advance, especially when using special colors or specific types of paint.

I painted my Billy bookshelf like this: lightly sand the shelves, apply a primer, then two coats of acrylic paint (water-based). It is important that each layer dries thoroughly; otherwise, the paint will peel. It's best to use a foam roller to achieve a smooth surface. Done.

Lorenzo34 schrieb:
…are there any specific products (paints, lacquers, sealants) you would recommend?

Hi, to give you a specific product recommendation: For the primer, I suggest "Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer," which is often recommended for challenging substrates and adheres well to smooth surfaces like melamine.

For painting, "Clou acrylic lacquer matte" or "Hammerite acrylic lacquer" work well—they are water-based, very durable, and easy to apply.

For sealing, I use "Bona Mega clear varnish" (available in matte or satin), which is solvent-free and provides long-lasting scratch protection.

Tip: Always check the compatibility with your materials and drying times for all products. It’s a good idea to test a small area first to verify the color and adhesion.

Good luck!