ᐅ MALM Furniture with Scratches – Are There DIY Repair Kits Available?

Hello everyone, about a year ago I bought some MALM furniture from IKEA, specifically dressers and nightstands. Unfortunately, over time some small but quite annoying scratches have appeared on the surface, which noticeably affect the appearance. Now I’m considering whether there are any DIY repair kits or special sets that can be used to treat these scratches without having to completely repaint or replace the surface. Does anyone here have experience with assembling or using such repair kits, especially for the MALM series? I would appreciate any tips or recommendations on products that actually work and how the process exactly works. Thanks in advance!

Rurojon schrieb:
About a year ago, I bought some MALM furniture from IKEA, specifically dressers and nightstands. Unfortunately, over time, some small but quite annoying scratches have appeared on the surface.

This is a common issue with MALM furniture, as the surface is usually a foil laminated on particleboard. This foil coating is not very resistant to scratches, so repairs are not always straightforward.

For DIY repairs, there are actually a few approaches. Most often, kits based on wax are offered: small colored wax sticks or wax putty that you fill into the scratch and then smooth out. The color selection is crucial, as it should match the color of the respective MALM surface as closely as possible (white, black-brown, etc.). Some manufacturers also offer special repair markers that seal light scratches with a kind of liquid film.

It’s important with all methods to clean the affected area thoroughly beforehand to ensure good adhesion of the repair material. For larger or deeper scratches, these kits might not be sufficient, and professional refinishing could be necessary.

I would be interested to know: How deep are the scratches, and are the surfaces very light or rather dark? This determines which product fits best.

kla69 schrieb:
Since the surface usually consists of a film glued onto particleboard

I know this all too well; that film can really wear out quickly. I had similar concerns with my MALM dresser back then, and I understand how frustrating it is. It’s really annoying when the furniture is still quite new but already shows signs of wear.

kla69 schrieb:
Usually sets are offered that work on a wax basis

I have tried such a wax set before, but I admit I used it more out of curiosity than real craftsmanship—it’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a decent fix for minor surface scratches. What helped me most was being patient and following the steps carefully to get a reasonably good result.

Maybe a combination of a wax set and careful sanding with very fine sandpaper could be an option? Have you had a chance to assess how deep the scratches are? 🙂

Rurojon schrieb:
Are there DIY repair kits or special sets available that can be used to treat such scratches without having to completely repaint or replace the surface?

Basically, there are different repair methods for coated particleboard, like that used in MALM furniture. Wax or wood filler kits are an option for superficial damage. They provide a short-term visual improvement but are neither particularly durable nor fully satisfactory upon close inspection.

Alternatively, there are repair markers or fill sticks based on solvents that create a thin seal, which covers and visually reduces the appearance of scratches. Accurate color matching is important, as otherwise the repair will stand out.

For a more lasting repair, masking off the area and then applying a suitable touch-up paint or spray may be recommended. However, this is a more involved process because the surface needs to remain smooth and even.

Since MALM often uses melamine-coated particleboard, a complete repair of deep scratches without replacement is challenging. Please specify whether the damage is shallow and surface-level or deeper, so more appropriate advice can be provided.

RAFAEL schrieb:
Please specify more clearly whether the damage is mostly superficial or deeper

Thank you for the helpful explanations. The scratches are mostly superficial, so no deep cracks, rather small abrasions on the foil surface of the nightstand. The surface is white, which should definitely make color matching for repair kits easier, I hope.

jokla schrieb:
Tried a wax kit... not the perfect solution, but a good quick fix for small superficial scratches

That sounds like a practical way to visually minimize minor blemishes. I will look for suitable kits this weekend; based on your experience, are there any recommended brands? And do I need to order any special tools or accessories, or are the kits usually complete?

I want to keep the process as simple and straightforward as possible since I’m not very skilled with DIY projects 🙂 Thanks for all the tips so far!