ᐅ Painting Kallax with acrylic paint – any experiences?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to paint my IKEA Kallax shelves with acrylic paint to give them a higher-quality finish and match the color to my living room. My question specifically is: Who among you has experience applying acrylic paint to Kallax furniture—especially regarding preparation (sanding, priming), how well the paint adheres to the MDF board, drying times, and durability with everyday use?

I am also interested in tips on the best products and painting techniques (brush vs. roller vs. spray equipment). I want to achieve a smooth, scratch-resistant finish without the paint peeling or yellowing after a short time.

I would appreciate any experiences, pitfalls, or recommendations you can share. Thanks in advance!

I painted my Kallax with acrylic paint. Important: sand thoroughly and use a suitable primer. I applied it with a roller, which looks better than a brush. Durability is excellent if the surface is properly prepared.

Interesting starting point, Fenar, but why acrylic paint instead of synthetic resin paint? Acrylic paint is more environmentally friendly, but it can sometimes have adhesion issues on MDF. Have you chosen a specific paint? It would also be important to know how much load your Kallax shelves will need to support – just decoration or full load?

Victor54 schrieb:
why acrylic paint and not synthetic resin paint?

Good question! I chose acrylic paint because it has less odor and dries faster. I find synthetic resin paint too strong in smell, and the longer drying time inconvenient.

Victor54 schrieb:
how much weight your Kallax shelves need to support

The shelf is in the living room and will hold books, plants, and decorations—so moderate load. I want to avoid mechanical stress from frequent moving. The most important thing for me is a surface that doesn’t scratch or yellow quickly.

Regarding preparation: MDF boards are very absorbent, so I recommend first applying a high-quality two-component (2K) or water-based primer to seal the surface. After drying, sand very finely (grit 220 to 320) and thoroughly remove the sanding dust.

When using acrylic paint, it is important to apply thin layers—preferably several thin coats rather than one thick one. Otherwise, the paint may wrinkle or form bubbles. I often apply 3 coats with sanding in between.

For application: a roller works well for large, flat surfaces, while a brush can leave streaks. Spraying is often the best method if possible, but it requires more equipment and preparation (spray booth, mask).

What are your conditions: indoor with heating, temperature, humidity? These factors significantly affect drying time and the final result.

lorena schrieb:
MDF boards are very absorbent, so I recommend first using a high-quality 2K or water-based primer to seal the surface

Thanks, that’s exactly the information I needed. Indoor temperature is around 21–22°C (70–72°F), and humidity varies between 40 and 55%.

lorena schrieb:
3 coats with sanding in between

Is that done with regular sandpaper or rather a polishing sponge? And how long do you let each coat dry? Is there a general rule of thumb?

I don’t have a spray gun, so I’m working with a brush and roller.