ᐅ How can Malm furniture be made more resistant to scratches?

Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I purchased the Malm desk and chest of drawers from Ikea. Unfortunately, I have noticed that the surfaces are very prone to scratches and minor damage – probably due to the lacquered surface or the MDF core with foil covering.

I am interested in learning about ways to make Malm furniture more resistant to scratches without significantly changing its appearance. Are there suitable sealants, paints, or special maintenance methods that work well?

I want to avoid having to repaint my furniture every few months, so a more long-lasting protection would be ideal. Maybe someone here has practical experience with which products and methods have proven most effective for Malm furniture.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

ullise schrieb:
I’m interested in options to make Malm furniture more scratch-resistant without significantly changing its appearance.

In general, protecting painted furniture surfaces like those on Malm pieces is challenging because the thin laminate coating remains vulnerable.

I recommend using a clear, matte or satin polyurethane spray sealant. This creates a protective layer over the surface that is much more scratch-resistant than the original laminate finish. It’s important to thoroughly clean and lightly sand the surface before application to ensure good adhesion of the sealant.

Another option is transparent protective films made of polycarbonate that can be cut to size, but these will alter the feel and look of the furniture.

As for maintenance: avoid harsh cleaning agents and instead use soft cloths and specialized furniture care products.

While this won’t guarantee 100% scratch protection, it can significantly reduce wear and tear.

tyson51 schrieb:
I recommend using a clear, matte or satin polyurethane spray sealant.

That’s a very good tip, thank you for the detailed answer!

Regarding surface protection for Malm furniture, I can add: When sanding before sealing, make sure to sand very lightly with fine-grit sandpaper (e.g., 320 grit) to avoid damaging the laminate. Sanding too aggressively can ruin the appearance or even cause bubbling under the finish.

Also, before applying a thin coat of finish, it’s essential to test on an inconspicuous spot to ensure the sealant really preserves the look.

For daily care, using furniture pads under heavy items is advisable to prevent pressure marks that can appear like scratches.

If you’re handy, a thin layer of acrylic or polyurethane varnish applied with a brush can work well—you get better control than with spray, but it requires some experience.

If anyone else has additional care tips, feel free to share.

Hello,

Some time ago, I also upgraded my Malm dresser and researched scratch prevention extensively. Here is a brief guide that might be helpful:

1. Cleaning: Always use a lint-free, slightly damp microfiber cloth and avoid harsh cleaning agents. This helps prevent micro-scratches on the laminate surface.

2. Sealing: As mentioned, polyurethane clear coat sprays are a good option.
- Step 1: Lightly sand with 320-grit sandpaper.
- Step 2: Remove dust.
- Step 3: Spray a thin, even layer, applying multiple coats with sufficient drying time between each.

3. Maintenance: For everyday protection, felt pads under decorations or similar items are useful.

4. Alternatives: There are special furniture scratch protection films made from transparent, thick PU film that can be applied to the surface. These are removable and provide effective protection, although they slightly alter the feel of the surface.

Keep in mind that Malm furniture is affordable and therefore does not use the most durable materials. You can never achieve complete scratch resistance, only reduce it.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.