Hello everyone,
Some time ago, I bought a Malm dresser set from IKEA, which I still really like. However, I would like to change the color of the furniture and repaint it to better match my interior design. My question is: What is the best way to repaint Malm furniture afterward?
I am especially interested in the process, what preparations are necessary (e.g., sanding, cleaning), which type of paint is most suitable, and whether there are any special techniques to ensure the finish is durable and looks good.
I have read that the surface of Malm furniture is relatively smooth and melamine-coated – does this affect paint adhesion? What should be avoided to prevent the new paint from peeling or flaking?
Thanks in advance for your answers and tips!
Some time ago, I bought a Malm dresser set from IKEA, which I still really like. However, I would like to change the color of the furniture and repaint it to better match my interior design. My question is: What is the best way to repaint Malm furniture afterward?
I am especially interested in the process, what preparations are necessary (e.g., sanding, cleaning), which type of paint is most suitable, and whether there are any special techniques to ensure the finish is durable and looks good.
I have read that the surface of Malm furniture is relatively smooth and melamine-coated – does this affect paint adhesion? What should be avoided to prevent the new paint from peeling or flaking?
Thanks in advance for your answers and tips!
Hey kukureo :-)
Great that you want to give your Malm set a fresh coat! You’re right, the melamine coating makes it a bit tricky, but definitely doable!
First of all: prepare thoroughly. That means cleaning the furniture, degreasing well, then lightly sanding so the paint adheres better. Use fine sandpaper (grit 220 or finer), just roughen the surface a little, don’t sand too deep.
For the paint, I’d recommend acrylic or water-based acrylic paint, as it’s more flexible and less prone to cracking. Before painting, it’s best to apply a bonding primer — that’s key to making sure your new coat sticks well.
My tip: take your time, apply several thin coats rather than thick ones. Let each layer dry thoroughly and sand lightly between coats. This way, you’ll get a smooth and durable finish.
Good luck, and remember: every painting attempt is a learning experience! 🙂
Great that you want to give your Malm set a fresh coat! You’re right, the melamine coating makes it a bit tricky, but definitely doable!
First of all: prepare thoroughly. That means cleaning the furniture, degreasing well, then lightly sanding so the paint adheres better. Use fine sandpaper (grit 220 or finer), just roughen the surface a little, don’t sand too deep.
For the paint, I’d recommend acrylic or water-based acrylic paint, as it’s more flexible and less prone to cracking. Before painting, it’s best to apply a bonding primer — that’s key to making sure your new coat sticks well.
My tip: take your time, apply several thin coats rather than thick ones. Let each layer dry thoroughly and sand lightly between coats. This way, you’ll get a smooth and durable finish.
Good luck, and remember: every painting attempt is a learning experience! 🙂
FLOLEO schrieb:
For the paint, I would recommend acrylic or water-based acrylic paintAbsolutely right! Acrylic paint works great for furniture, especially if you want a matte or satin finish.
It is also important to thoroughly degrease and clean the furniture before painting to avoid issues with dust and grease.
I once painted a Malm dresser myself – it was a great DIY project! The melamine surface really requires a primer; otherwise, the paint hardly sticks. After priming, I applied two coats of paint, sanding lightly between each coat.
Don’t worry about sanding—just sand lightly and preferably use a fine sanding sponge. Good luck, it will turn out great! :-)
Hello kukureo,
your project sounds interesting. I’d like to explain the necessary steps in more detail so you have a clear guideline:
1. Cleaning: First, thoroughly clean the surface to remove dust, grease, and other residues. A simple cleaner with isopropanol or denatured alcohol works well.
2. Sanding: Furniture with melamine resin coating is very smooth. To ensure the paint adheres, the surface should be lightly sanded. Use fine sandpaper (grit 220 to 320) or a sanding sponge for this.
3. Priming: A special adhesion primer for smooth surfaces, based on PU (polyurethane) or acrylic paint, is essential. This improves paint adhesion and prevents peeling.
4. Painting: Apply several thin coats of paint evenly, preferably using a high-quality foam roller for a smooth finish. Between layers, gently sand the surface with very fine sandpaper (grit 400) to remove small imperfections.
5. Drying: Follow the drying times specified on the products carefully.
For paint selection, water-based acrylic paint is recommended because it has low odor and is more environmentally friendly. Solvent-based paints, however, carry the risk that the furniture might warp due to moisture.
In general, I also advise paying attention to fitting accuracy at workshop or room temperature—excessive humidity or dust can reduce the quality of the result.
All in all, preparation is key to achieving a long-lasting finish.
your project sounds interesting. I’d like to explain the necessary steps in more detail so you have a clear guideline:
1. Cleaning: First, thoroughly clean the surface to remove dust, grease, and other residues. A simple cleaner with isopropanol or denatured alcohol works well.
2. Sanding: Furniture with melamine resin coating is very smooth. To ensure the paint adheres, the surface should be lightly sanded. Use fine sandpaper (grit 220 to 320) or a sanding sponge for this.
3. Priming: A special adhesion primer for smooth surfaces, based on PU (polyurethane) or acrylic paint, is essential. This improves paint adhesion and prevents peeling.
4. Painting: Apply several thin coats of paint evenly, preferably using a high-quality foam roller for a smooth finish. Between layers, gently sand the surface with very fine sandpaper (grit 400) to remove small imperfections.
5. Drying: Follow the drying times specified on the products carefully.
For paint selection, water-based acrylic paint is recommended because it has low odor and is more environmentally friendly. Solvent-based paints, however, carry the risk that the furniture might warp due to moisture.
In general, I also advise paying attention to fitting accuracy at workshop or room temperature—excessive humidity or dust can reduce the quality of the result.
All in all, preparation is key to achieving a long-lasting finish.
Shawn38 schrieb:
A special primer for smooth surfaces based on PU or acrylic paint is essential.I want to emphasize this: For furniture with a melamine coating, choosing the right primer is crucial. A regular painter’s fleece primer is not sufficient here.
The primer should also be compatible with the subsequent paint to avoid adhesion issues.
Mechanical sanding is mandatory as well since mechanical adhesion forms the basis for a durable paint finish.
Another point: For applying the paint, spraying or high-quality rolling is recommended to ensure an even surface. Using a brush can leave visible texture.
For optimal durability, applying at least two to three coats of paint is advisable, and if necessary, a sealer can provide additional protection.
I recommend completing all work steps at moderate room temperature and in as dust-free an environment as possible.
In addition to the previous posts, I would like to address the following points:
1. Always use abrasive materials dust-free and clean thoroughly after sanding to avoid sealing dust particles in the paint.
2. With melamine furniture, the risk of paint flaking is relatively high if there is no pretreatment. Therefore, using a bonding primer with silicone resin or comparable adhesion promoters is recommended.
3. Drying times depend on the manufacturer’s instructions but are generally at least 12 hours before handling. Between coats, allow 4-6 hours.
4. A final clear coat (matte or satin) can make the surface even more durable.
5. Tool care: Clean brushes and rollers immediately after use to ensure good results for the next application.
These points optimize the durability and overall appearance of your project.
1. Always use abrasive materials dust-free and clean thoroughly after sanding to avoid sealing dust particles in the paint.
2. With melamine furniture, the risk of paint flaking is relatively high if there is no pretreatment. Therefore, using a bonding primer with silicone resin or comparable adhesion promoters is recommended.
3. Drying times depend on the manufacturer’s instructions but are generally at least 12 hours before handling. Between coats, allow 4-6 hours.
4. A final clear coat (matte or satin) can make the surface even more durable.
5. Tool care: Clean brushes and rollers immediately after use to ensure good results for the next application.
These points optimize the durability and overall appearance of your project.
Similar topics