Hello everyone, I have the following issue: the edges of the drawers on my Malm chest of drawers are noticeably damaged. Some of the decorative veneers have peeled off, and the bottom edges look scratched and are slightly swollen in places. Since I would actually like to keep using the piece of furniture, I’m wondering what options there are to repair these drawer edges as neatly and durably as possible.
Are there suitable products for repairing these veneer edges yourself? Is it worth filling the damaged areas with wood or plastic filler? Or is it better to re-cover them with edge banding? And if so, what is the best way to remove the old residue without causing further damage?
I would really appreciate practical advice, medium- to long-term solutions, or any experiences with MALM-specific repairs.
Are there suitable products for repairing these veneer edges yourself? Is it worth filling the damaged areas with wood or plastic filler? Or is it better to re-cover them with edge banding? And if so, what is the best way to remove the old residue without causing further damage?
I would really appreciate practical advice, medium- to long-term solutions, or any experiences with MALM-specific repairs.
Hello Ianra, here is a brief guide for repairing the edges of MALM drawers:
1. Check the condition: If the damaged area is heavily swollen, it needs to be dried first and then sanded smooth.
2. Remove old adhesive film residues: It is best to warm them up carefully with a hairdryer and peel them off gently, then wipe off any residue with alcohol.
3. Get edge banding: This can be found in suitable wood or decorative finishes at a hardware store.
4. Cut the edge banding to size and attach it with an iron. Pay attention to the temperature and work slowly.
5. Trim the edges cleanly with a sharp utility knife and then polish.
Common mistakes are working too quickly when ironing or not thoroughly removing old adhesive film. With a bit of patience, the result will look very neat.
1. Check the condition: If the damaged area is heavily swollen, it needs to be dried first and then sanded smooth.
2. Remove old adhesive film residues: It is best to warm them up carefully with a hairdryer and peel them off gently, then wipe off any residue with alcohol.
3. Get edge banding: This can be found in suitable wood or decorative finishes at a hardware store.
4. Cut the edge banding to size and attach it with an iron. Pay attention to the temperature and work slowly.
5. Trim the edges cleanly with a sharp utility knife and then polish.
Common mistakes are working too quickly when ironing or not thoroughly removing old adhesive film. With a bit of patience, the result will look very neat.
For repairing MALM drawer edges, I recommend replacing damaged sections with specially cut edge banding, which can be found at hardware stores.
It is important to thoroughly clean the surface before applying the edge banding.
In some cases, if the edge material has swollen, it should be completely dried and lightly sanded before bonding.
Residues of glue and old film are best removed using a hairdryer and a sharp spatula—carefully, to avoid damaging the surface.
It is important to thoroughly clean the surface before applying the edge banding.
In some cases, if the edge material has swollen, it should be completely dried and lightly sanded before bonding.
Residues of glue and old film are best removed using a hairdryer and a sharp spatula—carefully, to avoid damaging the surface.
N
Nathanaelk5 Jul 2023 12:43Hello Ianra, I want to address your issue with the damaged MALM drawer edges in more detail, as there are several technical aspects to consider.
MALM drawers are usually coated with a high-quality melamine foil, which is not very thick and can be easily damaged by mechanical stress or moisture. The most important thing when repairing is to remove any moisture damage, as the wood will continue to swell and the foil will peel off otherwise. For swollen areas, sanding is necessary, and damaged wood should be filled with wood filler if needed.
After that, I recommend using a suitable self-adhesive ABS edge band (about 2-3 mm thick and with a wood decor). These edge bands have a heat-activated adhesive layer that is best activated with an iron or heat gun. Before applying the band, be sure to remove all residues of the old foil – ideally with nail polish remover or a mild solvent, but test this first in an inconspicuous spot to ensure the substrate is not damaged.
Once the adhesive dries, the bond is very strong and protects the edge from further damage over the long term. The final step is to neatly trim the excess tape with a sharp knife and smooth the edges with fine sandpaper.
If you want, I can provide a detailed materials list or suggest alternatives with repair compounds. Also important: for larger damages, you might consider ordering replacement drawers from IKEA, which is usually cheaper than replacing the entire dresser.
MALM drawers are usually coated with a high-quality melamine foil, which is not very thick and can be easily damaged by mechanical stress or moisture. The most important thing when repairing is to remove any moisture damage, as the wood will continue to swell and the foil will peel off otherwise. For swollen areas, sanding is necessary, and damaged wood should be filled with wood filler if needed.
After that, I recommend using a suitable self-adhesive ABS edge band (about 2-3 mm thick and with a wood decor). These edge bands have a heat-activated adhesive layer that is best activated with an iron or heat gun. Before applying the band, be sure to remove all residues of the old foil – ideally with nail polish remover or a mild solvent, but test this first in an inconspicuous spot to ensure the substrate is not damaged.
Once the adhesive dries, the bond is very strong and protects the edge from further damage over the long term. The final step is to neatly trim the excess tape with a sharp knife and smooth the edges with fine sandpaper.
If you want, I can provide a detailed materials list or suggest alternatives with repair compounds. Also important: for larger damages, you might consider ordering replacement drawers from IKEA, which is usually cheaper than replacing the entire dresser.
That sounds like a small DIY project! 🙂 If I were you, I would first check how severe the damage really is. If it’s just the laminate peeling off, edge banding is definitely the quickest and neatest solution. Using a hairdryer beforehand, as already mentioned, usually makes it easy to remove.
For curious DIY enthusiasts: there are even colored repair pens for minor scratches, but they won’t help if the laminate is peeling off. So it’s better to rely on a careful touch and precise work with an iron and a utility knife. Good luck!
For curious DIY enthusiasts: there are even colored repair pens for minor scratches, but they won’t help if the laminate is peeling off. So it’s better to rely on a careful touch and precise work with an iron and a utility knife. Good luck!
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