ᐅ How do you repair chipped corners on MALM furniture?

Created on: 1 Feb 2020 07:23
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Ausilioche
Hello 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!
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Samuel
3 Feb 2020 09:47
I think it always sounds much more complicated than it really is. A bit of filler, fine sandpaper, the right paint – and the corner looks good as new.
Garthre schrieb:
If larger parts of the film are torn off, you should cut a very thin adhesive film before applying the filler

That’s a great tip! You almost feel like a mini cabinetmaker when working so precisely :-)

Have you ever tried using those repair kits from IKEA directly? Is the quality okay?
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Alice
4 Feb 2020 14:12
IKEA offers repair kits with filler and markers that are well matched to the color of Malm. These are convenient if you don’t have time for more extensive work.

Otherwise, the usual process applies: clean the corners, fill, sand, color-match, and paint, as mentioned before.
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Lisele
5 Feb 2020 18:05
I know how frustrating small damages like these can be, especially when you usually take good care of your furniture.

What helped me was to see the repair not as a tedious chore, but as a small DIY project. It feels really satisfying when the corner looks like new again.

One more tip: take your time, especially since matching the paint color often requires several layers. And if you’re unsure, it’s best to test first in an inconspicuous spot.

Good luck – you can definitely do it! 🙂