ᐅ Scratches on Malm Furniture – What Are Some Quick Repair Options?

Hello everyone, I recently bought a Malm chest of drawers from IKEA with a laminated surface. Unfortunately, during normal use, small but clearly visible scratches have appeared on the black surface, which affect the appearance of the furniture. I would like to know about quick and practical repair options to easily fix such superficial scratches myself without much effort. I am especially interested in recommendations for home remedies, repair kits, or special care products that work without the need for extensive sanding or repainting. If anyone has experience with the material or the laminate used on Malm furniture, I would particularly appreciate tips on whether polishing or special markers can be used. Thanks in advance!

For small scratches on laminated surfaces like those on Malm furniture, colored furniture touch-up markers, which are affordable at hardware stores, often help. Simply apply and gently wipe off any excess material. Additionally, a furniture polishing cloth can restore the shine.

Hello Teofo,

Regarding your question about how to quickly and effectively repair scratches on the laminated surface of a Malm piece of furniture, I’m happy to provide you with a detailed guide.

1. Cleaning: Before doing anything, clean the affected areas thoroughly with a lint-free cloth and some mild cleaning agent to remove dust and grease.

2. Assessment: Check whether the scratches are only superficial or if the laminate is actually damaged. Deep cracks are difficult to repair invisibly.

3. Use furniture repair markers: For minor scratches, special furniture repair markers are available in many colors. Apply them thinly to the scratch and let them dry.

4. Polishing: Afterwards, you can use a plastic polish to conceal scratches and restore the shine.

5. Home remedies: Some people also use walnut or olive oil for very fine scratches, which only has a slight visual effect.

A common mistake is applying the markers too thickly or not cleaning the surface beforehand, which leads to unattractive stains. So: work cleanly and patiently apply several thin layers.

I hope this helps you!

Hello Teofo,

Some time ago, I also had the issue of scratches on my IKEA Malm furniture, which is also laminated. I really appreciate that you’re thinking about how to repair it without too much effort or needing special tools.

The following methods worked well for me:

- Furniture touch-up markers: It’s especially important to find the right color for your furniture. The application is very simple – gently dab on the scratches, let it dry, and you’re done.

- Microfiber cloths and a special plastic polish: These can often help to fade small fine scratches without applying anything.

- A tip from me: If the scratches are a bit deeper and the laminate has torn, you can fill small holes or damage with color-matched repair sticks (for example, from a wood/furniture repair kit) and then polish later.

If you like, you can also try Malm-specific cleaning and care products, some of which are offered by IKEA itself. Especially to avoid further damaging the surface, gentle treatment is recommended.

Good luck with the repair!

Jensson schrieb:
For minor scratches, special furniture repair pens are recommended, available in many colors.

I would like to add that the surface of Malm furniture usually consists of a thin decorative foil with a protective coating, which makes it sensitive to mechanical damage. Repairing requires some skill, especially since simple paint pens or markers can leave unpleasant edges.

The following procedure has worked well for me:

1. First, clean the area to be repaired with isopropanol to remove oils and dirt and to ensure better adhesion.

2. Choose a repair set with a color that matches closely (preferably original or matched to the foil colors). Important: test strokes on an inconspicuous spot first!

3. Carefully fill the scratch using a very fine brush or the tip of a sharpener. Do not apply too much paint, as it will remain visible.

4. After drying, gently blend the edges of the repaired area with an ultra-fine sanding pad (if possible, the green cleaning sponges from hardware stores with the finest grit) to create a smooth transition.

5. Finally, apply a plastic care product designed specifically for restoring gloss.

I am wondering how deep your scratches really are. Are they only superficial, or is the foil already missing? If the latter, it will not be possible without repainting or replacing the foil. Do you need recommendations for specific products, or would you prefer to use household remedies?

Technically, repairs on laminated IKEA furniture such as Malm are always limited because these surfaces are very thin and delicate. For a quick fix, I recommend the following straightforward approach:

1. Clean with a non-greasy solvent like isopropanol before any treatment.

2. Use color-matched furniture touch-up pens or repair wax. These are ideal for small scratches.

3. For minor dull spots, a plastic polish with fine abrasives can be applied, but only very carefully and locally.

4. For larger damages, attempting repairs without expertise is often counterproductive; in such cases, it is better to consider professional repair kits or replacing the laminate.

It is important to understand that laminated surfaces cannot be treated the same way as solid wood. Some methods suitable for wood will cause further visible damage here. Therefore, the remedies listed should be seen as short-term solutions, not as permanent replacements for professional restoration.