ᐅ How do I repair peeling veneer on Malm drawers?

Hello everyone,

I have noticed some chipped areas on the laminate of the drawer fronts of my Malm dressers from Ikea. Since I don’t find it visually appealing and the peeling is gradually getting worse, I would like to repair or touch it up as well as possible.

I’m particularly interested in practical and durable solutions for effectively repairing chipped laminate on the edges or large surfaces of the Malm drawers. Does anyone have experience with repair methods, such as special adhesives, laminate repair kits, or repainting? Are there any tips on which materials work well and what to watch out for in order to achieve a visible result with minimal effort?

Advice on preparing the damaged areas and the best approach to ensure a long-lasting repair would also be very helpful.

Thanks in advance for your support and tips!

Hello Esreflu,

I completely understand how frustrating it is when the laminate on the Malm drawers starts peeling off. I’ve had the same problem before and initially found it annoying because the laminate is so thin, and repairs tend to look messy quickly.

What helped me somewhat was gently roughening the remaining laminate around the peeled area to create a surface the adhesive could grip onto. Then, I used a special contact adhesive designed for plastics and laminates. The most important thing is to make the transitions as smooth as possible.

In one case, I also cut small pieces of laminate to fit over the peeled section and glued them on. It’s not invisible, but it holds very well and prevents further peeling.

I think it’s worth trying, but it takes some practice to get the technique right. If you want, I can share more details about the products I used.

Keep at it, there are solutions—this will work out! 🙂

Layla schrieb:
Then I used a special contact adhesive for plastics and films.

Hello everyone,

to address Esreflus’s question in more detail: Repairing chipped film on Malm drawers is a topic where choosing the right adhesive and proper surface preparation play a key role.

First, the damaged area should be thoroughly cleaned to remove grease and dirt. A non-alcohol-based cleaner or isopropanol works well without damaging the film. Then, it is essential to lightly roughen the surface—preferably with fine sandpaper (e.g., grit 220 or 240)—to provide better adhesion for the glue.

Second, a flexible contact adhesive or a special assembly adhesive for thin films is recommended, one that remains elastic after drying. For example, UHU offers an assembly adhesive that adheres very well and does not distort the film when applied sparingly.

For larger areas, it may also be considered to secure the film with small dots of wood glue, but this is less durable.

A very sustainable solution is repair films or even a new self-adhesive film, which can be cut to the exact millimeter and applied to the damaged part—though this requires precise work and accurate measurements.

Finally, when dealing with larger damage, the glued area should dry under slight tension to prevent bubbles from forming.

I’m curious: How large are the damages exactly? Is it just individual edge spots or larger surface areas? This can influence the best strategy.

Gafiel schrieb:
How extensive is the damage exactly?

In addition to the previous comments, I would like to add that repairing chipped veneer on Malm drawers largely depends on the size and location of the damaged areas.

Small chips along edges can be best fixed with a thin, fluid PVC repair adhesive or a plastic adhesive from a hardware store, specifically designed for flexible materials. Achieving a smooth finish requires some practice during application, as the adhesive often dries clear but can remain slightly noticeable to the touch.

If larger areas are affected, spot repairs are often unsatisfactory. In such cases, it is recommended to carefully sand down the damaged veneer edges and reapply self-adhesive veneer strips, which can be purchased from Ikea or specialized online retailers.

Another option is to replace the entire drawer front, which is usually possible with Malm dressers by purchasing replacement parts.

It is important to prevent moisture from penetrating the wood or particleboard, as this significantly reduces the product’s lifespan. Therefore, repairs should always be sealed thoroughly to cover any exposed adhesive residues.

If you have further questions: What tools and materials do you have available? This can help provide a more precise answer.