Easy do-it-yourself kitchen cabinet repairs
While most modern fitted kitchens are designed to withstand constant use and abuse, an older kitchen may be taking strain. We have put together some quick and easy do-it-yourself repairs you can tackle in a day.
Bottoms up
The thin board used for drawer bottoms sometimes gets wavy, or even falls out. Stiffen up the bottoms with 6mm plywood or MDF. Cut the board to fit over the drawer bottom, leaving about a 3mm gap on each side. Apply wood glue on the drawer bottom and set the board over it. Clamp in place until the glue dries.
Tighten it
If cabinet hinges are loose, or screws in your hinges turn but don't tighten and the screw hole is stripped, there is a solution.
Remove hardware and apply a drop of wood glue to the ends of toothpicks and cram as many as will fit into the hole. Wipe away any excess glue. Let the glue dry, then use a craft knife to cut flush with the cabinet or drawer. Reinstall the hardware, driving the screw through the filled hole.
Lubricate well
A few minutes of cleaning and lubricating can make drawer slides glide almost like new. You can remove most drawers by pulling them all the way out, then either lifting or lowering the front of the drawer until the wheels come out of the track. Wipe the tracks clean and coat them with a light spray lubricant such as WD-40. Also lubricate the rollers and make sure they spin easily.
Colour in
Repair scratches on kitchen cabinets with a Liberon wax crayon. They come is various wood tints to match your existing finish. If your cabinets are looking dingy overall, with lots of scratches, perhaps it's time to consider giving them a makeover.
Catch up
A catch that no longer keeps a door closed is either broken or out of adjustment. Catches are fastened with two screws, so replacing a damaged catch is simple. Adjustment is just as simple, but you might have to readjust the catch a couple of times before you get it right. Loosen the screws, move the catch in or out, and tighten the screws. If the door doesn't close tightly, try again.
Hangin' out
If your cabinet doors are out of whack and you have European-style hinges, you're in luck.
These hinges are designed for easy adjustment - all you have to do is turn a few screws.
Door not flush - adjust the depth screw. This screw moves the door in or out. If your hinges don't have depth screws, start with the side screws.
Door crooked - adjust the side screw. This moves the door from side to side. In some cases, you have to loosen the depth screw slightly to adjust the side screw.
Door to low or high - use the mounting screws to raise or lower the mounting plates. Loosen the screws at both hinges, slide the door up or down and tighten the screws. Some mounting plates adjust by turning a single screw.
familyhandyman.com