Good morning everyone,
I have been using several pieces of furniture from the IKEA Hemnes series for several years. Since the surfaces have become quite dull and somewhat worn over time, I am considering whether professional refinishing would be worthwhile to restore the original appearance and feel.
In particular, I wonder: does sanding really help refresh IKEA Hemnes furniture, or does it not provide the expected improvement to the surface?
I imagine that sanding could significantly reduce both the light lacquer finish and minor scratches. On the other hand, I am unsure whether the material and coating can withstand sanding without causing uneven color or gloss differences afterwards.
How reliable is the process itself? Which tools and sanding methods are recommended? And is it necessary to refinish the surfaces with paint or oil afterward?
Has anyone here had experience with this specific type of furniture and can share advice on the process, alternatives, or potential pitfalls?
I look forward to hearing your experiences and well-informed opinions!
I have been using several pieces of furniture from the IKEA Hemnes series for several years. Since the surfaces have become quite dull and somewhat worn over time, I am considering whether professional refinishing would be worthwhile to restore the original appearance and feel.
In particular, I wonder: does sanding really help refresh IKEA Hemnes furniture, or does it not provide the expected improvement to the surface?
I imagine that sanding could significantly reduce both the light lacquer finish and minor scratches. On the other hand, I am unsure whether the material and coating can withstand sanding without causing uneven color or gloss differences afterwards.
How reliable is the process itself? Which tools and sanding methods are recommended? And is it necessary to refinish the surfaces with paint or oil afterward?
Has anyone here had experience with this specific type of furniture and can share advice on the process, alternatives, or potential pitfalls?
I look forward to hearing your experiences and well-informed opinions!
lerijo schrieb:
Does sanding IKEA Hemnes really help to refresh it, or does it not provide the expected improvement to the surface? This is a fundamental question that we need to differentiate:
- What does “refreshing” mean? Are we dealing only with superficial scratches and dull spots that can be fixed with minimal material removal?
- Or is it heavy wear where the finish is no longer intact?
In my opinion, sanding can be useful to smooth the surface, but the result depends entirely on the subsequent treatment – such as oiling, painting, or waxing. The Hemnes surface is sensitive to heavy mechanical work because the clear coat is thin. Sanding without resealing is not very effective.
At the same time, it’s important to check whether the furniture is still structurally sound – if there is moisture or other damage, sanding alone won’t help much.
I would recommend investigating the exact condition, type of finish, and layer thickness in advance, possibly even by measuring the coating thickness, before proceeding blindly.
glamo schrieb:
A few years ago, I treated a Hemnes bed frame this way, and with a lot of patience and several rounds of sanding, the result was really satisfying. That sounds really helpful.
I would take a relaxed approach too: The natural look of Hemnes furniture should definitely be preserved, and with light sanding plus oil, the pieces come out nicely without much fuss.
It’s really about not “damaging” the furniture – so better to sand gently than aggressively.
Remember: It’s better to go over it several times with very fine sandpaper than to sand too roughly once.
I tried it myself on a small nightstand and was very happy with the result. One more layer of wax on top, and the wood really shines.
karbar schrieb:
- Then repaint or oil again. Exactly, that’s the trick!
I have often lightly sanded my Hemnes dressers to remove minor surface scratches. Then I apply a minimal amount of oil or furniture wax, and voilà – everything looks refreshed.
You just need a bit of patience and not try to remove the entire finish all at once.
And to be safe, always test first on a small, hidden area, as the wood can react differently in some spots.
In the end, the touch-ups are worth it for me, especially because the typical Hemnes look with its delicate wood grain and warm color tones remains intentional and beautiful.
Similar topics