ᐅ After cleaning my KALLAX with a disinfectant wipe, it became cloudy – how can I polish it?
Created on: 5 Apr 2021 08:42
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praPauline
Hello everyone,
I have a small but annoying problem with my KALLAX shelf from IKEA. After wiping the surface with a common disinfectant wipe—mainly due to current hygiene requirements—the front of this melamine plastic furniture has suddenly become cloudy and dull. It looks like there is a fine haze or matte film on it that definitely wasn’t there before.
I’m specifically interested in whether there is a recommended way to remove this cloudy effect, preferably by some type of polishing or gentle treatment. Of course, I don’t want to damage the surface further or harm the plastic, but rather restore the original clear finish.
Has anyone had experience with this or any advice on how to proceed? What products are suitable, which should be avoided, and what is the best method? Thanks in advance!
I have a small but annoying problem with my KALLAX shelf from IKEA. After wiping the surface with a common disinfectant wipe—mainly due to current hygiene requirements—the front of this melamine plastic furniture has suddenly become cloudy and dull. It looks like there is a fine haze or matte film on it that definitely wasn’t there before.
I’m specifically interested in whether there is a recommended way to remove this cloudy effect, preferably by some type of polishing or gentle treatment. Of course, I don’t want to damage the surface further or harm the plastic, but rather restore the original clear finish.
Has anyone had experience with this or any advice on how to proceed? What products are suitable, which should be avoided, and what is the best method? Thanks in advance!
Hello praPauline,
I have many years of experience working with plastic coatings, including on furniture like the KALLAX.
The milky appearance is most likely caused by a reaction between the melamine surface and the alcohol or disinfecting agents in the cloth. This temporarily roughens micro- and nanoscale layers, which changes the way light is refracted.
Procedure:
1. First, use a mild, pH-neutral cleaner to remove chemical residues.
2. For polishing, a very fine polishing compound designed for plastics is suitable, with the added benefit of providing UV protection and minor filling for micro-scratches.
3. Important: Polishing cloths should be very soft, such as microfiber, to avoid introducing additional scratches.
4. Apply the polish slowly and in small sections, rubbing in gentle circular motions with light pressure.
5. After polishing, rinse thoroughly with clean water and let dry.
6. For deeper damage, professional restoration may be necessary.
One more question: Did you leave the surface damp after wiping, possibly creating a strong transition to a dry area? This can increase the milky appearance.
Good luck!
I have many years of experience working with plastic coatings, including on furniture like the KALLAX.
The milky appearance is most likely caused by a reaction between the melamine surface and the alcohol or disinfecting agents in the cloth. This temporarily roughens micro- and nanoscale layers, which changes the way light is refracted.
Procedure:
1. First, use a mild, pH-neutral cleaner to remove chemical residues.
2. For polishing, a very fine polishing compound designed for plastics is suitable, with the added benefit of providing UV protection and minor filling for micro-scratches.
3. Important: Polishing cloths should be very soft, such as microfiber, to avoid introducing additional scratches.
4. Apply the polish slowly and in small sections, rubbing in gentle circular motions with light pressure.
5. After polishing, rinse thoroughly with clean water and let dry.
6. For deeper damage, professional restoration may be necessary.
One more question: Did you leave the surface damp after wiping, possibly creating a strong transition to a dry area? This can increase the milky appearance.
Good luck!
P
praPauline6 Apr 2021 09:36GALEO4 schrieb:
I think the manufacturer should provide clearer warnings about what should not be used.That's true, I actually noticed after using it that there is no clear information on the packaging or from IKEA itself regarding disinfectants on this material.
Laukau5 schrieb:
Did you leave the surface damp after wiping, possibly causing a strong transition to a dry area?Yes, the wiping was done fairly quickly and I didn’t wipe it dry afterward, but let it air dry. The cloudy appearance appeared quickly.
Thank you all for the tips on the polishing process. I will first try a mild care product with a microfiber cloth, and then possibly a plastic polish.
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