ᐅ Repairing Scratches on Malm Furniture – How to Do It Effectively?

Hello everyone,

I have unfortunately noticed some unpleasant scratches on my Malm bed from Ikea, caused by everyday use. The surface is painted and relatively smooth. My question is: What is the best way to repair these scratches so that they become as invisible as possible and the surface is not further damaged?

I would like to know which materials or methods work best for this. Is it advisable to use special furniture touch-up markers, or should I rather rely on sanding and polishing products? I am also curious whether home remedies like walnut or wood oil can actually help on painted surfaces like those of the Malm.

It is important to me that the repair is relatively simple and requires little effort, as I am not a professional furniture restorer. Thank you in advance for your tips!

For minor scratches on painted Malm furniture, I recommend using furniture touch-up markers in the matching color. They fill the scratch and are quick to apply.

Alternatively, you can carefully sand scratches with very fine sandpaper (grit 800 or higher) and then apply a thin layer of furniture polish.

For repairing scratches on painted surfaces like Malm furniture, it is important to follow the correct procedure:

1. First, clean the area to remove dust and grease.
2. For superficial scratches, using a polishing paste or furniture polish (e.g., wax-based) is effective because these can slightly fill the paint layer and help mask the scratches.
3. Deeper scratches should be repaired with a suitable furniture touch-up pen that matches the furniture’s color tone.
4. Small dents can also be filled with colorless wood filler or paint repair kits and then lightly sanded afterward.

Home remedies like walnut are better suited for oiled wood surfaces and are hardly effective on painted furniture.

I have had good experiences with color-matched furniture markers on my Malm desk. Simply color in the scratches, let it dry for a while, and then gently polish.

Hello, I would like to add that it is important to always check the paint carefully before making any repairs. Ikea sometimes uses different types of coatings depending on the series or time period – matte, satin, or glossy.

If you use a furniture touch-up pen, it is better to practice on a hidden spot first to test the color and application. Often, a thin layer is sufficient; otherwise, the result can look uneven.

A fine finishing varnish for spraying or brushing over can also help after touch-ups to restore a uniform surface appearance.