ᐅ How do I repair chipped edges on Malm drawers?

Created on: 14 Feb 2021 08:53
R
Renbau
R
Renbau
14 Feb 2021 08:53
Hello everyone,
I noticed that on some of the drawers of my Malm dressers from Ikea, the edges at the bottom have come off. These seem to be the plastic edge bandings that have eventually detached and completely lifted away. The wooden panels themselves appear to be intact, but visually it looks quite unattractive, and I’m concerned that dirt might get into the exposed edges.

Has anyone had experience with the best way to repair or reattach these detached edge bands? Are there specific adhesives or techniques that have proven effective without damaging the surface? It would be great if you could also share tips on removing old adhesive residue or how to secure the edges properly to prevent them from coming off again.

Thanks in advance for your help!
R
relupa
14 Feb 2021 09:17
Hello Renbau,
I know your problem all too well; it’s really frustrating. The edges started coming loose for me as well, and at first, I had no idea how to fix it cleanly.

What worked well for me was carefully removing the old residue with a small spatula or a nail file, taking care not to scratch the wood panel. Then I used regular contact adhesive for plastic laminates from the hardware store – be sure to apply it sparingly and evenly; otherwise, the edge will look messy later.

My tip: If you’re unsure, try a small test first, for example on an inconspicuous spot. Then press the edges gently and secure them with clamps or small heavy objects until the glue has dried.

Sometimes it feels like you’re a beginner at crafts with this kind of thing, but with patience, it usually works out pretty well. 🙂
J
joroti
14 Feb 2021 10:05
Remove old adhesive residue, apply contact adhesive thinly, press the edge firmly, secure in place. Done.
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Wesley
14 Feb 2021 10:47
Hello Renbau!

I’m familiar with the frustrating edge banding issue as well. 🙂

I reattached my detached edges using spray adhesive, and it held surprisingly well. Of course, I first carefully removed any residue – with a bit of patience, it works great. If you find contact adhesive too tricky to handle, spray adhesive can be a more relaxed alternative.

And don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t look perfect the first time. It’s like baking pizza – practice makes perfect! ;-)
D
DUVIN
14 Feb 2021 11:30
Contact adhesive is ideal; apply it very thinly and then press firmly. Do not release too early, otherwise there is a risk that the edge will not hold.
L
Linavin
15 Feb 2021 08:22
relupa schrieb:
What worked well for me was carefully removing the old residues with a small scraper or a nail file

I find this step very important – but it shouldn’t be done too carelessly. There are different edges and substrates. Sometimes, removing adhesive residue with a nail file can be too rough and damage the surface, which later reduces adhesion.

It is also questionable whether contact adhesive is ideal for all types of plastic edgings. Some recommend special two-component adhesives or lacquer adhesives that promise better long-term bonding. Here, I would ask myself whether a standard contact adhesive or spray adhesive, without further testing, is only a short-term solution.

Do you have any comparisons regarding the durability between the different types of adhesives?