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

Created on: 25 Jan 2021 09:12
J
Junis2
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!
R
renpeo
26 Jan 2021 11:22
Junis2 schrieb:
How long should the touch-up pen dry, and can I polish it immediately afterwards?

The drying time depends on the specific touch-up pen, but usually 15–30 minutes is sufficient. It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Once the paint is dry, you can gently polish the area with a soft cloth to remove any excess material and enhance the shine.

Be careful not to rub too hard to avoid damaging the fresh paint.
J
Jeanbar
26 Jan 2021 15:04
I would like to add that you should avoid putting too much strain on heavily used areas for the next 24-48 hours after the repair.

Temperature fluctuations and moisture can cause fresh paint or touch-up pen to fade if the surface has not fully cured yet.

So, patience pays off here 🙂
G
Germanro
27 Jan 2021 08:47
A quick solution: For very small scratches, clear nail polish can also serve as protection if nothing else is available.
J
Junis2
27 Jan 2021 09:16
Germanro schrieb:
For very small scratches, clear nail polish can also be used as protection

Thanks for the tip! Is it mainly intended for minor scratches as a cosmetic repair, or also as protection against further damage?
F
Fitigu
27 Jan 2021 10:03
Junis2 schrieb:
Is it mainly meant for minor scratches as a cosmetic touch-up or also as protection against further damage?

Nail polish primarily serves as a protective coating. It slightly fills minor scratches but does not replace a furniture touch-up marker for color matching. Therefore, it is more of a temporary solution or suitable for hard-to-reach areas.
J
Junis2
28 Jan 2021 08:39
Finally, I would like to thank everyone.

Using the right furniture marker combined with subsequent treatment using furniture polish made the repair turn out better than expected.

I decided to avoid sanding due to the associated risks.

The information about the correct drying time and aftercare was very helpful!