ᐅ How can you renovate Ikea Pax wardrobe doors yourself?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to renovate the doors of my Ikea Pax wardrobe myself, as they have become quite worn. Specifically, I am looking for tips and tricks on sanding, possibly repainting or applying adhesive covering, and what to pay attention to in order to achieve the most professional result. Which materials are best suited, and what mistakes should definitely be avoided? Does anyone have experience with removing or replacing the original fittings to change the appearance?

I would greatly appreciate detailed experiences, step-by-step instructions, or recommendations on necessary tools. Thank you in advance!

REGLA schrieb:
I am planning to renovate the doors of my Ikea Pax wardrobe myself, as they have become quite worn out.

Sounds like a great project! I would recommend lightly sanding the doors first and then applying acrylic paint – it dries quickly and works well on Ikea’s smooth surfaces. If you want to use adhesive films, self-adhesive vinyl can also look good, but be careful with cheaper options as they may develop bubbles.

One tip: take your time masking the edges! This helps avoid uneven transitions and reduces the need for touch-ups. And yes, the fittings can usually be removed fairly easily with a screwdriver, which gives you great opportunities for a different look.

rekijan schrieb:
I would recommend light sanding followed by acrylic paint – it dries quickly and works well on Ikea’s smooth surfaces.

Exactly, that’s the right approach. I would add that before sanding, you should definitely check what material the doors are made of. Often, they are MDF with a foil coating. Sanding should be done with fine sandpaper (grit 220-320) to lightly roughen the surface without completely removing the foil, especially if you plan to repaint.

For painting, I recommend acrylic paint, preferably combined with a primer that is specifically designed for foil surfaces.

If you intend to completely redesign the surface, for example by applying adhesive film, make sure to thoroughly remove old adhesive residues and clean the surface from dust. This ensures better adhesion.

One more note: when removing the fittings, be sure to consider the drill holes, as these may need to be filled or covered with matching caps if you change the design.

Just a thought: How realistic is it to achieve a durable and high-quality appearance with a simple renovation approach?

Surela schrieb:
For painting, I recommend acrylic or acrylic-based paint, preferably combined with a primer specifically designed for foil surfaces.

Is this supported by your own tests or reliable sources? Especially with Ikea Pax doors, which often have a plastic coating, adhesion issues can occur.

Also, are there alternatives when sanding completely damages the foil and you are left only with filling and a lot of rework? In my opinion, the quality of the renovation also heavily depends on the materials used and their preparation, not just the craftsmanship.

Genevieve schrieb:
Is this supported by your own tests or reliable sources? Especially with Ikea Pax doors, which often have a plastic coating, adhesion problems can occur.

The concerns are justified. From a technical perspective, the doors are usually made of MDF with a melamine or foil coating. These smooth surfaces require a special primer designed for this purpose (e.g., adhesion primer for plastics); otherwise, the paint application is prone to chipping.

If the foil is damaged or removed, be sure to fill the edges with filler and roughen the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. Alternatively, the doors can be completely resurfaced, but this involves considerably more effort.

When removing or changing the hardware, keep an eye on the stability of the doors, as Ikea doors are not very thick. Small drill holes can be filled with putty, and after sanding, applying paint on these spots is easier.