Hackers Help: How to remove BILLY backing board?

I need help from the IKEAhackers community.

I am building 7 tall narrow BILLY bookcases to cover a wall. On my very first one, I put the top shelf in backwards – but didn’t realize this until I turned the completed bookshelf right side up.

I tried to gently pry the backing board off, but it started to tear and crack. Even if I manage to get the backing off and deconstruct the whole bookcase, I’ll still have nail holes across the white front edge of the shelf. I could remount this as a bottom shelf and the holes would be less visible, but I don’t want to tear apart the backing board. What do I do?

How to remove BILLY backing board?

Thanks!

Bethany

***

Hi Bethany,

From my experience, the best way to remove the backing board is to use a mallet. If you don’t have one, wrap the face of a regular hammer with a piece of cloth to soften its blows. You’ll also need a piece of cardboard to protect the BILLY backing board against hammer marks.

Once you have the materials, from the inside of the bookcase, place the cardboard flush against the edges where the nails are. Then with the mallet gently knock the cardboard to push the nails out of the frame. You may need to knock in a few positions along the edges to dislodge the row of nails, instead of trying to push out one nail at a time. Do not pry from the back of the bookcase as it will break, as you have experienced.

How to remove BILLY backing board?

Once the backing board is off, you will need to deconstruct the bookcase and put the shelf in the right way. And yes, mounting the nail-holes-riddled-shelf as a bottom shelf is a good idea. If they are still very obvious, some dabs of white wood putty may do the trick.

Another option, if you do not wish to go through all that hassle of assembling it correctly is to use an iron-on edge banding. Measure the thickness of the shelf and get an edge banding that’s wider than it. Iron it on and then cut off the excess for a clean finish. The downside of this option is you may not get an exact match in terms of color. And that particular shelf may stick out like a sore thumb against your other 6 BILLY bookcases.

Hope it works out and you can rescue your BILLY.

Jules

The post Hackers Help: How to remove BILLY backing board? appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

Hackers Help: How to attach headboard to ESPEVÄR mattress base?

I’m trying to figure out if a headboard can be attached to an Espevar Mattress Base , and how to accomplish that. I’m looking at a standard metal headboard (because I just prefer the look of curved metal to what IKEA offers) and am not interested in a slat base with just a mattress on top, and a wall mounted headboard is not an option due to renting. Thanks for any help! ~ Amy *** Hi Amy I’ve not seen the ESPEVÄR in person but I believe it is possible to attach a headboard to it. From the website, the ESPEVÄR looks like a regular wooden slatted mattress base under a bed base slipover. As to how to attach it, that will depend on the fittings on the metal headboard. So you will just need to get the right hardware to secure the metal headboard to the wooden frame. And make some small openings on the slipcover to let the fixtures to go through. Jules Photo: IKEA.com Try these free-standing headboards for size A lime green and white headboard that takes centerstage in the r

Kitchen renovation reveal: Rhombus wall steals the show

It’s been a while since I did a home tour. If you’ve missed the previous reveals, you can catch up with my Master Bathroom remodel and Guest Bathroom reveal . Today, let’s focus on my kitchen renovation. Hands down, this is the most used room in my home. I spend crazy amounts of time in here, even when I’m not cooking. Just off to the side of the kitchen I converted an awkward space into a reading nook . In the mornings, I sit and read or pray and meditate, before it gets too warm. And on the other side, there’s a work-in-progress plant wall / indoor garden which also takes up a lot of my time. So, all in all, lots of traffic in here, and that’s not even counting cooking and eating time. The kitchen is definitely my favourite room, because the transformation is huge and I love how it turned out. Kitchen renovation: The before House 17 when I first got it, actually had 2 kitchens, which is a very common “Asian” home concept. First, the “dry kitchen”, which is where you make simp

IKEA sofa with genius armrest storage

Bet you never knew your sofa armrests were prime storage space. Ok, so the guys at IKEA are the masters of hidden / secret storage everywhere. In fact, one of the things I most loved about the ESKILSTUNA sofa series was the undercover storage on the chaise lounge, but… what? More than 80 liters of storage space wasted on the armrests? NO WAY! I really don’t understand how they didn’t take that opportunity with several different armrest modules. Mobile chargers, cup / can holders, foldable tables, refrigerators… there’s SO MUCH space in there. I can’t stop thinking on different options! For myself, I went for two designs. First, a “full space” design on the (right) side of the chaise lounge. (The cavity fits two foldable chairs). Second, on the left armrest — a flip open section for “mobile charger / remote control storage / etc.”. Below that, a full-depth pull-out drawer, tall enough to store A4 sized magazines. This is the final result: Full space design, right of cha

Martin Cooper

Search This Blog