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Ausilioche1 Feb 2020 07:23Hello everyone,
I have several Malm furniture pieces from IKEA at home, and unfortunately, the veneer keeps chipping off at the corners. This not only looks unsightly but also makes me worry that the underlying material could deteriorate further.
I wanted to ask if there are proven and reliable methods to repair these chipped corners so that the repairs are as inconspicuous and durable as possible.
I am particularly interested in which products or materials work well (for example, special wood fillers, varnishes, or adhesives) and how to best carry out the repair steps.
I have some experience with painting work, but furniture repairs are new to me – so a somewhat detailed guide or tips would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance!
I have several Malm furniture pieces from IKEA at home, and unfortunately, the veneer keeps chipping off at the corners. This not only looks unsightly but also makes me worry that the underlying material could deteriorate further.
I wanted to ask if there are proven and reliable methods to repair these chipped corners so that the repairs are as inconspicuous and durable as possible.
I am particularly interested in which products or materials work well (for example, special wood fillers, varnishes, or adhesives) and how to best carry out the repair steps.
I have some experience with painting work, but furniture repairs are new to me – so a somewhat detailed guide or tips would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance!
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diManuela1 Feb 2020 08:02Hello Ausilioche,
I am familiar with your issue, as MALM furniture is often covered with a foil or thin veneer that can easily chip at the edges. The first thing you should do is carefully clean the damaged area by removing any loose parts or dust. After that, I recommend using a wood filler designed specifically for fine furniture surfaces.
Apply the filler with a small spatula or a smooth piece of plastic and gently reshape the corner. Once it has dried, sand it very finely so the edge becomes nicely rounded or sharp, depending on the original.
To finish, you can blend the area with a color-matched paint or a furniture edge marker. A good clear lacquer also protects against further wear.
It is important to work in several thin layers and allow each to dry thoroughly in between. If you like, I can provide you with more specific product recommendations.
I am familiar with your issue, as MALM furniture is often covered with a foil or thin veneer that can easily chip at the edges. The first thing you should do is carefully clean the damaged area by removing any loose parts or dust. After that, I recommend using a wood filler designed specifically for fine furniture surfaces.
Apply the filler with a small spatula or a smooth piece of plastic and gently reshape the corner. Once it has dried, sand it very finely so the edge becomes nicely rounded or sharp, depending on the original.
To finish, you can blend the area with a color-matched paint or a furniture edge marker. A good clear lacquer also protects against further wear.
It is important to work in several thin layers and allow each to dry thoroughly in between. If you like, I can provide you with more specific product recommendations.
Hello,
I completely agree with diManuela. When working with MALM furniture, it is especially important to handle it carefully because the core material is often MDF, which can swell when exposed to moisture.
After filling and sanding, I would recommend carefully applying a suitable acrylic lacquer to the repaired area with a thin brush or sponge in several thin layers. This will provide better sealing and make the corner more resistant to chipping again.
If you like, I can also give you tips on where to find repair kits at a reasonable price.
I completely agree with diManuela. When working with MALM furniture, it is especially important to handle it carefully because the core material is often MDF, which can swell when exposed to moisture.
After filling and sanding, I would recommend carefully applying a suitable acrylic lacquer to the repaired area with a thin brush or sponge in several thin layers. This will provide better sealing and make the corner more resistant to chipping again.
If you like, I can also give you tips on where to find repair kits at a reasonable price.
I also experienced the problem with chipped corners on my MALM desk and understand how frustrating that can be.
My advice: work very carefully and make sure not to apply glue or filler too thickly – less is often more. Take the time to sand properly. I personally used a fine sanding sponge, which works very well on small corners.
In the end, I applied a matte clear lacquer that almost perfectly matched the original finish.
Julien schrieb:That is definitely important to keep in mind. I reacted too late myself and had to redo a larger area because the wood had swollen.
MDF is sensitive to moisture
My advice: work very carefully and make sure not to apply glue or filler too thickly – less is often more. Take the time to sand properly. I personally used a fine sanding sponge, which works very well on small corners.
In the end, I applied a matte clear lacquer that almost perfectly matched the original finish.
In addition to the previous tips:
If large sections of the foil are torn, you should cut and carefully apply a very thin adhesive film before filling. This helps prevent the filler from penetrating deeply into the MDF and compromising its stability.
You can also use color-matched markers or touch-up pens to better blend small edges.
When working, ensure good lighting and allow sufficient drying time to achieve a durable result.
If large sections of the foil are torn, you should cut and carefully apply a very thin adhesive film before filling. This helps prevent the filler from penetrating deeply into the MDF and compromising its stability.
You can also use color-matched markers or touch-up pens to better blend small edges.
When working, ensure good lighting and allow sufficient drying time to achieve a durable result.
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