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.
C
Cecilera665 Jul 2023 14:21Apply edge banding, carefully remove the old one. Heat up the iron and press the band onto the edge. Trim the edges. Done.
Nathanaelk schrieb:
Remove moisture damage, otherwise the wood will continue to swell and the membrane will peel off.I can only emphasize this. Without dry wood, the repair won’t last long. That’s why you need to check carefully beforehand.
Malm drawer edges are typically covered with melamine foil – if damaged, repairing them with edge banding is worthwhile.
My recommendation:
1. Warm the damaged foil with a heat gun, then remove any sticky residue with isopropanol.
2. Sand the edges dry using 240-grit sandpaper.
3. Cut a suitable ABS edge band to size and apply it slowly and evenly with an iron.
4. Trim the excess banding with a sharp utility knife and deburr with fine sandpaper.
Common mistakes include ironing at too high a temperature (which causes blistering of the foil) or pressing down too quickly. Patience is the key to success here.
My recommendation:
1. Warm the damaged foil with a heat gun, then remove any sticky residue with isopropanol.
2. Sand the edges dry using 240-grit sandpaper.
3. Cut a suitable ABS edge band to size and apply it slowly and evenly with an iron.
4. Trim the excess banding with a sharp utility knife and deburr with fine sandpaper.
Common mistakes include ironing at too high a temperature (which causes blistering of the foil) or pressing down too quickly. Patience is the key to success here.
Great to see so many helpful tips gathered here! I had a similar problem with my MALM, and doing the edge banding myself worked really well. I also found it important not to rush too much in order to press the foil on properly. A little hack: after ironing, you can gently press the edge band with the back of a spoon to achieve optimal adhesion. And don’t worry, it’s fun to fix these kinds of details yourself! 🙂
N
Nathanaelk7 Jul 2023 10:12Ianra schrieb:
Are there suitable products to repair these film edges yourself?Additionally: If the edge is severely damaged and roughened, a thin wood filler might help. Sand the filler afterwards and then apply edge banding. This way, you get a smooth surface.
labar43 schrieb:
After ironing, you can gently press the band down with the back of a spoonExactly, a so-called roller press from a hardware store is ideal for that. If you have any questions about the tools, just ask!
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