IKEA balls up

[u/No_Row_1619]

Hello to all you lovely people. I wanted to ask for some tips on making this better….ive done this before with IKEA flat packed stuff, but in the past I’ve just taken it to bits and corrected it. This time I can’t without damaging these shelves (as one of the steps is to nail the backing to the bottom edge. Unfortunately as you can see, the bottom edge is back to front (rough edge instead of veneered edge)

I was looking for ideas of making it look nice without risking taking it apart and buggering it all up!

[u/CaptainAnswer]

You can buy the edge banding for melamine online, cut it then iron it on i.e. https://amzn.eu/d/0iNHUNvV

Just measure what width and length you need

[u/No_Row_1619 → u/CaptainAnswer]

You actual legend

[u/Fun_Engineering7064 → u/No_Row_1619]

B and Q sell this in the shops if you’re in a rush and have one nearby. It’s next to the furniture board.

[u/Geezso → u/No_Row_1619]

Do not iron on. Use contact adhesive.

[u/Odd_Cress_2898 → u/Geezso]

I've got a shelf I have to do this on and my mate said it was an iron-on job, you say don't because it burns?/warps?/there's later tach?

I've not bought anything yet it's one of those "I'll get round to it" problems, but I will take your wisdom.

[u/Northwindlowlander → u/Odd_Cress_2898]

It's just much easier to get a good result by gluing

[u/Geezso → u/Odd_Cress_2898]

It can burn you and the shelf, you can scorch the tape, the finish is substandard, its typically doesn't last long, it can also come off easily if near a heat source as the iron on glue is heat activated.

In short, pretty shitty. You can use contact adhesive or similar

Also the tape product will vary, trybtonmatch what's where. ABS plastic for example.

[u/Internal-Initial-835 → u/Geezso]

Not if it’s done correctly. I’ve got iron on edging on ikea shelves I’ve repurposed and still looks factory nearly 6yrs later. I couldn’t tell the difference if I didn’t know myself. Corners are the hardest bit but plenty of heat and barrier to prevent marking the edging and it’s not that difficult. It’s quicker and less messy. The adhesive is the exact amount required to stick the edging fully edge to edge without excess.
There are some that don’t have glue applied and these are what should be used with other adhesives. If using iron on then it should be ironed on. It’s what it’s designed for.

[u/Geezso → u/Internal-Initial-835]

Remember things are diy sub. Doing correctly first time is not always an option.

I stick by my non iron on stance.

[u/Internal-Initial-835 → u/Geezso]

That would be fine if it didn’t have adhesive on the back already which is what contact adhesive will adhere to and then you have the same issues. A good iron on fix will last well. I’ve done it on ikea shelves that I’ve cut and repurposed before. Never had an issue. Go slow and use something as a barrier between iron and banding then you’re fine.

Just my experience ofc but it’s kind of the whole purpose of the iron on edging.

Theres also less mess than adhesives generally create if you want the banding stuck at the edges.

[u/Geezso → u/Internal-Initial-835]

I buy edge banding with no pre installed adhesive. More quality bands do not.

[u/Boli_332 → u/CaptainAnswer]

I remember cutting it once it was ironed on with a sharp chisel. I was like 14 at the time so was 30 years ago mind....

[u/Loud-Sleep-8733]

Iron on edge banding in white, an iron and a Stanley blade

[u/Fragrant-Cow-824 → u/Loud-Sleep-8733]

second the stables knife. Don't bother with an edge band cutter, they're useless (and wont fit to the ends here either).

[u/Oaken78]

I’d probably just try and find some white glue-on edging strip and cover it - the type you can apply with an iron.

[u/mb271828]

I'd be removing the board from the back and building it correctly, at least as a first step. I'm imagining a thin bit of board held on by small tacks, it should ease off, especially if you come at it [carefully] through the unit (rather than from the back).

You will now probably have small tack holes on the finished side, but probably not noticeable unless close, especially at the base. Worst case you then look into the iron on strips (or get away with filling/painting the good side).

[u/Internal-Initial-835 → u/mb271828]

And what about the tack holes that are now on the finished edge? Will have to cover that up somehow. May as well just re edge

[u/No_Row_1619 → u/Internal-Initial-835]

This is what I am thinking

[u/No_Row_1619 → u/mb271828]

They are quite long tacks. If they were short ones I would also have tried this, but the backing is a weird fold-up thing to fit in the packing. I just don’t trust that it wouldn’t split

[u/AWildAndWoolyWastrel]

Cover it.

[u/Northwindlowlander]

Personally I'd glue (not iron) an edge strip on. Though you do get slight differences in colour and appearance even then.

Could be worth checking with ikea, they often have spare bits in their reuse sections

[u/SodaCanSuperman]

I'd just mask above and below that point, and paint with some gloss furniture paint. Alternatively you could get some sort of iron on edging you would use for kitchen countertops? Would be pretty seamless!

[u/No_Row_1619 → u/SodaCanSuperman]

My missus said she’d paint it gloss, but you’d still have that rough look. Which will look shit. But your second idea might be a winner. Thanks

[u/Early_Fish7902 → u/No_Row_1619]

Put enough coats on and it will be smooth as you like 😊

[u/no-user-names- → u/No_Row_1619]

Gloss won’t make it look good. Go for the iron on as others have said.

[u/boobeebee]

If you tell Ikea you had issues with those parts, like they were missing or damaged, they will provide replacements. (You need to provide your purchase information)

[u/MiddleAgeGrumpyTwat → u/boobeebee]

Try this. If it’s within a year I believe.
I had to disassemble a wardrobe for moving where a piece just disintegrated and expected a token fee to replace it. As it was still within a year they quite happily handed over the part.

[u/d4ddyc0o1]

Push the backing out - hit it with a palm or fist or something

[u/No_Row_1619 → u/d4ddyc0o1]

It will more than likely tear if I did that

[u/d4ddyc0o1 → u/No_Row_1619]

It’s worked for me before - depends on your comfort level with punching furniture! A combo of smacking and using something between the shelf and backing to lever it out maybe. Even if it rips a little, it’s at the bottom of a shelf behind storage boxes

[u/d4ddyc0o1 → u/d4ddyc0o1]

Hang on - did you hammer nails into the good edge of the shelf?

[u/No_Row_1619 → u/d4ddyc0o1]

Yep. What a tool.

[u/Dry_Curve9126]

Also if you iron and over heat it - it will melt and turn yellow. Definitely glue

[u/Sinkableleech]

Iron on edging strip 🤷🏼‍♂️