Hello everyone,
I have a few Malm furniture pieces from IKEA that were unfortunately damaged by water, especially at the edges and the feet. The coating is peeling off in some areas, and the wood underneath has swollen or expanded. I don’t want to completely dispose of the furniture but instead try to repair it properly.
My question is: What is the best way to repair Malm furniture after water damage? Which materials and tools do I need to treat the swollen areas, restore the coating’s appearance, and maintain stability?
Are there any special techniques you can recommend to reduce or eliminate swelling in the particleboard core? And how should I handle the damaged edges so the piece looks as close to new as possible?
I’m looking forward to practical tips and experiences!
I have a few Malm furniture pieces from IKEA that were unfortunately damaged by water, especially at the edges and the feet. The coating is peeling off in some areas, and the wood underneath has swollen or expanded. I don’t want to completely dispose of the furniture but instead try to repair it properly.
My question is: What is the best way to repair Malm furniture after water damage? Which materials and tools do I need to treat the swollen areas, restore the coating’s appearance, and maintain stability?
Are there any special techniques you can recommend to reduce or eliminate swelling in the particleboard core? And how should I handle the damaged edges so the piece looks as close to new as possible?
I’m looking forward to practical tips and experiences!
Great topic! 🙂
I had a similar issue with my Malm dressers. A two-component epoxy resin worked wonders for me. Just remove the soft spots carefully, then fill them well! The resin makes it completely waterproof and stable. And with the right clear coat, it looks really nice!
Don’t worry, you’ll manage! Feel free to ask if you have any questions!
I had a similar issue with my Malm dressers. A two-component epoxy resin worked wonders for me. Just remove the soft spots carefully, then fill them well! The resin makes it completely waterproof and stable. And with the right clear coat, it looks really nice!
Don’t worry, you’ll manage! Feel free to ask if you have any questions!
Davidleo schrieb:
A two-component epoxy resin really worked wonders for me.Well, I find the whole thing quite tedious. Malm furniture is disposable – water damage means throwing it away and buying new. Repairing it, when you know exactly what materials it’s made of, often requires more effort than it’s worth.
Why not simply choose higher-quality wood instead?
kemeo68 schrieb:
Sometimes furniture is disposable – water damage means throw it away and buy new.From a materials science perspective, that is generally true, but I see this discussion more pragmatically. Malm furniture is widely used, and people want to repair it for various reasons. Your opinion is valid, but it is not practical for everyone.
For precise repairs, epoxy resin is indeed recommended for water-damaged areas, as it provides long-term protection and stabilization, as already mentioned. This should be followed by a good surface sealant.
I don’t want to contradict kemeo68, but when it comes to water damage in chipboard furniture, it often comes down to minimal repairs versus effort. For small, non-structural areas, repairing can definitely be worthwhile. We are not talking about load-bearing furniture here, but rather about dressers or shelves.
If you want to focus on high-quality woods, you have to spend more. For most people, a repaired Malm piece of furniture is acceptable.
It is important that any moisture causing swelling is completely removed; otherwise, the damage will return.
If you want to focus on high-quality woods, you have to spend more. For most people, a repaired Malm piece of furniture is acceptable.
It is important that any moisture causing swelling is completely removed; otherwise, the damage will return.
GALEO4 schrieb:
The important thing is that all moisture must be completely removed during swelling, otherwise it will deteriorate again.Exactly. From my own experience, a proper drying usually takes 7-10 days in a heated room. If the drying is too shallow, the problem will resurface immediately, even if filler or resin has been applied temporarily.
One more tip: After finishing, tape the edges with transparent tape or painter’s tape and coat them with solvent-free white glue (photovoltaic panel glue). This keeps the edge stable and protects against further moisture penetration.
Thank you for the many helpful answers so far!
Parbo’s note about drying time is important, as the piece of furniture was stored in my basement and I wasn’t sure if the humidity had fully dissipated. To be safe, I will place the furniture in a heated room for a few days.
Epoxy resin sounds interesting, but I assume the drawback is that it’s difficult to work with for beginners? Does it require special tools or a lot of practice?
Are there also suitable wood fillers that are water-resistant and work well for Malm furniture if I don’t want to use epoxy resin?
And what is the best way to replace or clean the melamine foil on the edges? Some edges are dirty and the foil has partially peeled off.
Parbo’s note about drying time is important, as the piece of furniture was stored in my basement and I wasn’t sure if the humidity had fully dissipated. To be safe, I will place the furniture in a heated room for a few days.
Epoxy resin sounds interesting, but I assume the drawback is that it’s difficult to work with for beginners? Does it require special tools or a lot of practice?
Are there also suitable wood fillers that are water-resistant and work well for Malm furniture if I don’t want to use epoxy resin?
And what is the best way to replace or clean the melamine foil on the edges? Some edges are dirty and the foil has partially peeled off.
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