ᐅ My KALLAX has aged after polishing – would a new coat of paint be advisable?

Hello everyone,

I am facing the following issue with my IKEA KALLAX shelving unit: After polishing it recently, I noticed that the original finish looks quite aged in some areas – worn down and slightly discolored in places. Overall, it no longer looks fresh, even though I still want to use the shelf for some time.

So my question is: Would you recommend giving this KALLAX a new coat of finish to refresh and protect it? Or is that more effort than it’s worth and better to just stick with polishing?

I do have some experience with applying finishes, but mostly on other types of wood, not on this melamine-coated material, so I’m unsure if re-finishing it is technically advisable and sustainable.

Looking forward to your opinions and experiences!

Thanks and best regards!

kaufrieder schrieb:
Is this more effort than it’s worth, and would it be better to just stick with polishing?

I can really understand how frustrating it is when furniture you care about suddenly doesn’t look as nice. I have a KALLAX myself, which after years also started to look a bit “tired.”

In my experience, polishing is sometimes only a short-term fix. It can slightly smooth the surface, but if the finish is really worn off or heavily discolored, it barely helps.

kaufrieder schrieb:
I have some experience with painting, but mostly with other types of wood, not this melamine-coated material

That’s a crucial point. Melamine-coated surfaces are not easy to paint because the paint often doesn’t adhere well or soak in properly. That’s why I considered sanding the shelf and using a special melamine paint — it’s more work, but the result lasts much longer.

So it comes down to how much effort you’re willing to put in and how much the shelf means to you. For me, repainting made sense despite the work. But if you want a quick refresh, it’s better to stick with polishing and possibly a melamine paint touch-up.

I would recommend lightly sanding the shelf first and then applying a special melamine lacquer. Without sanding, the new lacquer will not adhere properly. Polishing alone is rarely effective in the long term.

Hello kaufrieder,

I would like to address your concern about the “aged” surface of your KALLAX shelf in more detail.

Melamine-coated panels, like those used in IKEA KALLAX, consist of a particleboard with a melamine resin layer glued on top. This surface is very durable, but it is sensitive to mechanical and surface-active treatments – polishing is included in this.

Polish can temporarily enhance the shine of the surface, but it does not remove deeper wear marks or discolorations. On the contrary, polishing too aggressively can even damage the melamine resin top layer and make this damage visible.

If you are considering repainting, please keep the following in mind:

1. Preparation: The surface must be carefully sanded to allow the new paint to adhere. However, sanding is tricky because you can quickly sand through the melamine coating and expose the underlying particleboard, which can cause unsightly spots.

2. Paint choice: Special synthetic resin paints or so-called melamine paints are required for melamine surfaces, as standard wood paints usually do not adhere well.

3. Application: Several thin layers are better than a few thick ones. Strictly follow drying times.

4. Long-term care: After painting, it’s best to clean the shelf gently because the fresh paint may be more sensitive.

In short, painting is definitely possible, but you must prepare well and work precisely. If you have some DIY skills and can take your time, this is a perfect way to give your KALLAX a long second life. Alternatively, there are special adhesive films or spray paints available that require less effort but are less durable.

I would also be interested in how severe the wear is – for example, do you have chipped areas or just dull and matte surfaces? That makes a big difference in the effort required.

I hope this helps you already!

jan10 schrieb:
Polishing alone hardly provides lasting results.

That gets to the heart of the matter.

I would like to add that with melamine-coated furniture, the problem usually isn’t the paint itself, but the coating. When areas show changes due to polishing or aging, it is often a detachment or micro-damage of the melamine surface.

A new paint job without any preparation will often not adhere properly. Completely sanding down to the bare chipboard is also not advisable, as this compromises the material’s structural integrity.

In my opinion, the best solution is to gently sand with fine sandpaper (grit 320 or higher), followed by applying a special melamine paint, which is available from specialist suppliers.

To be safe, I would recommend testing on an inconspicuous spot before painting the entire surface. This way, unpleasant surprises can be avoided.

I also agree with kulau that foil coatings or professional spray paints are alternatives, though they have varying durability.

So, a new paint job is advisable if you are willing to put in the work and want better long-term protection of the surface.