ᐅ KALLAX scratched after elevator transport – any tips for repair?

Hello everyone,

I urgently need some advice: My IKEA KALLAX shelf got several quite noticeable scratches on its surface during transport in the elevator. The shelf is white, and the scratches are visible in several spots, some of them somewhat deep, not just superficial. I suspect the damage happened while maneuvering in the tight elevator space, possibly from contact with metal or wooden edges.

Does anyone know effective ways to remove or at least visually improve such scratches on the KALLAX after elevator transport? I don’t have professional tools or paints, but I would appreciate DIY tips that can be done with common household items or simple products.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

Hello Paletra,

To properly address the scratches on the white KALLAX after elevator transport, it largely depends on how deep the scratches actually are. Superficial scratches can usually be well concealed with a special furniture polish pen (for example, from IKEA or a hardware store). These pens are based on wax or light varnish and visually fill in small damages.

If the scratches are deeper, a combination of light sanding (very fine sandpaper, grit 400+) followed by applying white paint or lacquer may help. You should proceed gradually and test on inconspicuous areas to avoid making the surface rougher.

It would be important to know the exact condition of the KALLAX: are the scratches only in the paint layer, or has the underlying wood or particleboard been damaged? It might also be possible to treat the surface with fine furniture wax to slightly even out the color.

Have you already tried products like furniture polish? And are there specific areas on the shelf that are especially affected (edges, surfaces)? This information helps to recommend the right tools.

Hi Paletra,

I know the problem – elevator and transport scratches on furniture happen far too often. The first important step is to carefully assess the damage. If it’s just minor scratches on the painted surface, you can try simple methods like toothpaste (not gel, but the regular paste) or some baking powder for a light polish. Gently rub the paste in with a soft cloth and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. This can help smooth out some roughened paint areas.

However, if the scratches have completely penetrated the white coating, as leebi7 mentioned, you will usually need additional paint or repair markers. Another tip is to carefully color in the scratches with white felt-tip pens from the office that have a slightly thicker tip, then gently smudge them.

For future furniture moves by elevator, it’s important to use protective foam panels or blankets to prevent such damage.

Good luck!

Hi,

for small scratches on the KALLAX, just use a white paint pen, which can be bought cheaply at a hardware store. Otherwise, try furniture polish. If the damage is deeper, sanding and repainting is the only solution.

Thanks first of all for the quick replies!

@leebi7: Yes, the scratches vary – some are really just on the surface, while others look deeper and almost like light grooves in the material. The affected areas are mainly along the edges and on the outside of the side panels.

@Brian: I’ll cautiously try toothpaste, sounds interesting. So far, I haven’t tried anything because I was afraid the scratches might get worse.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any special furniture polish pens at home. Would it make sense, for example, to try filling the grooves with regular candle wax, or would that cause more harm?

My goal is to leave as little visible damage as possible that I can’t properly fix.

Paletra schrieb:
Would it make sense, for example, to try the grooves with regular candle wax?

I wouldn’t recommend that. Candle wax is often not ideal in color and can contrast with the white surface. Also, candle wax is not very durable and might peel off or look dirty.

Furniture care sticks or repair waxes, which are specifically made for furniture surfaces, are better. You can find these, for example, in craft stores or hardware stores. Another option is repair pens with white paint, which can sometimes be quite affordable at discount stores.

If you absolutely can’t find anything, you can try applying a thin layer of white skincare cream (unscented); this sometimes helps with minor scratches by slightly darkening the surface and visually masking them.

It’s important to monitor the area after each application – sometimes simple cleaning and air circulation also help prevent dirt from settling into the scratches.