ᐅ How do I properly prepare Ikea Besta furniture for repainting?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to completely repaint my Ikea Besta sideboard, as the original surface now shows some signs of wear and the current color no longer matches my interior. Since Besta furniture typically comes with a melamine-coated surface, I am unsure how to best prepare the furniture for painting.

I am especially interested in the following points:
- What is the gentlest way to remove the factory coating or texture without damaging the furniture?
- Which abrasives and grit sizes are best suited to create an even surface for the new paint?
- Is sanding alone sufficient, or should the surfaces also be treated with a primer to ensure good paint adhesion?
- Are there any special tips to consider when disassembling the furniture or dealing with the edges?

I want to avoid the paint peeling or looking uneven later on. I would appreciate any well-structured and solid advice!

Thank you in advance for your help.

Hello Potovin,

Your question about preparing Ikea Besta furniture for a new paint finish is very well put and important, as melamine-coated surfaces do have specific requirements.

Here is a structured approach:

- Sanding the surface: Since melamine is very hard and paint adheres poorly to it, you should first lightly sand the surface using fine sandpaper (grit 220 to 320). The goal is to dull the glossy surface and improve adhesion. Coarse sanding is not recommended, as it could damage the surface.

- Cleaning: After sanding, it is essential to thoroughly remove all dust and dirt, preferably with a damp cloth and some mild detergent. Allow the surface to dry well afterward.

- Priming: To ensure long-lasting paint adhesion, applying a primer on melamine is recommended. It is best to use a two-component polyurethane (2K PU) primer or special primers designed for hard plastics.

- Painting: Once primed, you can proceed with your desired paint. Spray paints or furniture-specific paints are suitable. Apply thin coats and allow each layer to dry properly before applying the next.

- Edges and corners: The same applies here—lightly sand to avoid adhesion issues. Edges tend to be more sensitive, so feel free to use a bit more primer in these areas.

Summary:
- Sand with grit 220-320
- Remove dust and grease
- Use adhesion-promoting primer
- Apply several thin paint coats
- Pay special attention to edges

If you need more details about choosing the right primer or sanding techniques, I’m happy to provide further information.

LANICOLE schrieb:
Since melamine is very hard and paint layers adhere poorly to it, you should first lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper (grit 220 to 320) to dull the finish.

Interesting approach, but honestly: who really wants to sand the entire Besta with 320 grit sandpaper? The melamine surface is designed to be durable in the first place.

I see this standard recommendation often, but in my opinion, it’s only a half-measure. Why? Because it hardly makes sense to lightly roughen an already resistant surface if the paint still doesn’t stick well afterwards – so what’s the point of the effort?

I prefer to rely on a good primer that is suitable for plastics. From my experience, this is the crucial step. Even if you barely sand the surface, a specialized primer ensures the best adhesion. Sanding can help to some extent, but it does not replace proper preparation using suitable adhesion promoters.

Also: it’s better to disassemble the furniture before painting! Fully exposing edges and corners makes a big difference in the final result.

What’s your take on this, or do you think the effort of sanding is really worth it? To me, it’s a myth worth challenging.

nanidra schrieb:
It’s better to disassemble the furniture before painting! Completely expose the edges and corners, as this makes all the difference in the final result.

I can only confirm that. For a professional paint finish, all removable parts, doors, and shelves must be taken apart and treated separately.

Regarding sanding: Avoid sanding too aggressively, as this can damage the melamine surface and visibly affect the furniture’s appearance.

My recommendations:

- Fine sanding with 320 grit
- Remove dust using a special tack cloth or microfiber cloth
- Apply a thick primer with adhesion promoter suitable for plastics
- Then apply several thin layers of water-based lacquer or acrylic paint

It is also important to allow sufficient time between each step. Moisture and dust are the biggest enemies of proper adhesion.

Never paint without a suitable primer, otherwise you will likely see peeling very quickly.

nanidra schrieb:
I prefer to rely on a proper primer suitable for plastics. In my experience, that is the crucial step.

I generally agree, but without sanding before priming, the primer does not work optimally. It adheres better when the surface is slightly roughened.

Here is a tip for sanding technique:

- Always sand in the direction of the grain to avoid scratches
- After sanding with a fine grit (e.g. 320), clean thoroughly with a dust-removing cloth or microfiber cloth

And regarding edges: It is especially important to sand and prime carefully here to prevent the paint from chipping later.

Anyone unwilling to sand risks premature paint damage in my opinion.

A good combination of light sanding and high-quality primer leads to the best result.