Hello everyone,
Lately, I have noticed that the finish on the Malm drawers from IKEA is quite sensitive and prone to scratches and chipping. I am especially interested in understanding why this is the case. Is it due to the quality of the material, the workmanship, or possibly the type of paint used? Or are there other reasons, such as manufacturing processes or everyday use?
Maybe someone can provide informed explanations or personal experiences to help me understand why the finish on these drawers is so vulnerable. Thanks in advance!
Lately, I have noticed that the finish on the Malm drawers from IKEA is quite sensitive and prone to scratches and chipping. I am especially interested in understanding why this is the case. Is it due to the quality of the material, the workmanship, or possibly the type of paint used? Or are there other reasons, such as manufacturing processes or everyday use?
Maybe someone can provide informed explanations or personal experiences to help me understand why the finish on these drawers is so vulnerable. Thanks in advance!
Ratimo schrieb:
I’m mainly interested in why this is the case.Hello Ratimo,
I completely understand how frustrating this is – I had the same issue with my MALM drawers. From my experience, it’s often because the surface is coated, but the protective layer is quite thin and therefore can be easily damaged with everyday use. Additionally, the surface is usually a lacquered film or a thin varnish layer, which isn’t as durable as real solid wood with lacquer.
Ratimo schrieb:
Is it due to the quality of the material, the workmanship, or perhaps the type of lacquer used?I think it’s a combination of all these factors. IKEA tries to keep such furniture affordable, so compromises are sometimes made regarding materials and workmanship. This thin lacquer finish looks nice but unfortunately doesn’t hold up very well.
I have tried to care for my drawers carefully with furniture wax and polish, but that only helps to a limited extent against wear and tear.
Hello Ratimo and elgla,
I would like to add something here because the topic of paint and coating on furniture like MALM is often misunderstood. MALM furniture is generally made of particleboard coated with melamine resin or covered with a thin layer of paint that gives the appearance of being coated.
These thin paint layers are mainly designed to make the surface visually appealing and cost-effective, but not to withstand heavy wear and tear such as scratches and impacts over a long period without damage.
Additionally, the surface of MALM furniture is often very smooth, and the paint layer is applied extremely thinly. This makes the surface vulnerable to minor mechanical stress—such as bumping into hard objects or frequent friction from opening and closing.
You could say that the paint wouldn’t be as sensitive if the furniture were made of solid wood or had a thicker, more durable coating. The combination of particleboard, inexpensive paint, and lightweight construction unfortunately leads to this sensitivity.
I would like to add something here because the topic of paint and coating on furniture like MALM is often misunderstood. MALM furniture is generally made of particleboard coated with melamine resin or covered with a thin layer of paint that gives the appearance of being coated.
These thin paint layers are mainly designed to make the surface visually appealing and cost-effective, but not to withstand heavy wear and tear such as scratches and impacts over a long period without damage.
Additionally, the surface of MALM furniture is often very smooth, and the paint layer is applied extremely thinly. This makes the surface vulnerable to minor mechanical stress—such as bumping into hard objects or frequent friction from opening and closing.
You could say that the paint wouldn’t be as sensitive if the furniture were made of solid wood or had a thicker, more durable coating. The combination of particleboard, inexpensive paint, and lightweight construction unfortunately leads to this sensitivity.
elgla schrieb:This is exactly what I wanted to clarify once more.
that the protective layer is relatively thin and therefore can be easily damaged during everyday use.
In addition to the previous discussion, I would like to add that MALM drawers often feature a coating made of acrylic or PU (polyurethane). While these coatings are visually appealing and cost-effective to produce, they tend to be relatively thin and therefore sensitive to moisture.
If moisture gets between the drawer front and the wooden substrate, it can cause the paint to swell and flake off. UV exposure can also weaken the paint layer over time, making it more susceptible to damage.
Furthermore, mechanical stress from opening and closing the drawers, as well as occasional impacts, contribute to increased sensitivity.
A practical tip for durability: using pads or felt glides on areas exposed to stress can reduce wear. Additionally, harsh cleaning agents should be avoided.
If moisture gets between the drawer front and the wooden substrate, it can cause the paint to swell and flake off. UV exposure can also weaken the paint layer over time, making it more susceptible to damage.
Furthermore, mechanical stress from opening and closing the drawers, as well as occasional impacts, contribute to increased sensitivity.
A practical tip for durability: using pads or felt glides on areas exposed to stress can reduce wear. Additionally, harsh cleaning agents should be avoided.
AMELIE schrieb:That sums it up very well.
thin coatings are mainly designed to make the surface visually appealing and affordable, but not to withstand heavy wear like scratches and impacts over a long period without damage.
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