Your kitchen cabinet, especially the doors, like other fittings, will while break down once in a while because of heavy daily use. Also, made from wood, moisture, and oils, which are abundant in kitchens can fast-track the damage even further. Whether you have cabinets made from MDF, plywood, or particleboard, you should take great care of it to keep your kitchen in a good state. Here are some tips for repairing one.
Preparation for Repair
Repairing cabinet doors is an intricate process that needs a bit of planning. As such, while planning for a repair, the first step should be to prepare the cabinets for the job. This includes first removing kitchen accessories stored in the cabinet such as honey extractors, stainless steel silverware, and electric meat slicers. Next, remove the damaged cabinet door by unscrewing the hinges and placing it on a flat working surface. If you have a garage, the better, as it’s safer and near your tools. You should also remove the door’s handle and hinges to make the repair process smoother. You may have to wait for the door to dry if it was recently damaged by water or oil spats.
Application of Plastic Wood Filler
If your damaged kitchen cabinet has a deep or a deep scratch or cracks that you want to touch up, you may have to use plastic wood filler to do a professional job. The product has a pliable structure and is therefore easy to use. It dries quickly, seals deep cracks, and provides a smooth and professional finish that you can paint or finish with clear varnish. Use a putty knife to apply this filler straight to the affected areas. Let the putty dry before you proceed to the next step on our list.
Application of Primer
The application of a primer provides a smooth and even surface for painting your kitchen cabinet. The process involves scraping peeling paint from the door’s surface in preparation for applying a shellac-based primer. This wood-based primer is available in most local hardware shops. You can also order it online and get the vendor to ship it to your place in a day or two. During the restoration process, shellac-based primers play many essential roles. It can remove blemishes, evens out the surface, and allows your paint to stick. It also comes in a spray bottle that is ready to use. Apply one or two coats over the damaged areas allowing each coat to dry before the next.
Sanding the Cabinet Door
Sanding down your damaged kitchen door will remove excess wood filler to make the surface of the wood appear even and without swollen areas or bubbles. Once the primer feels dry to the touch, the next step should be to sand the affected area to a smooth finish. You can use 120-grit sandpaper by hand, but it will be much easier using an electric sander. Do not sand too much to avoid removing the primer. Applying too much pressure can also burn the surrounding wood and ruin the look of your cabinet door permanently. Otherwise, make sure it’s smoother, and the damages are no longer visible.
Painting
Choose the same type and color of paint used to finish the kitchen cabinet originally. You may use a brush if the surface is small or a roller if it is larger, then finish off the minor details with a paintbrush. Sand gently using 220-grit sandpaper until you have the entire surface smooth. Sanding helps to create tiny grooves upon which your final coat will adhere properly. Your kitchen cabinet door will now look as good as new.
Here are additional tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets:
Finish with Varnish or a Sealer
To stop water from penetrating your kitchen cabinet door and damaging it, we suggest that you should apply waterproofing varnish or a sealer as the final coat to keep out moisture. As soon as it dries completely, your door will be ready for fitting. Align the hinges and screw them back on. Return dinnerware sets, waffle makers, and bread slicers in the cabinet and lock it.
The longer you take to repair minor damages on your kitchen cabinet door, the more likely you will have to replace it in the future. Hence, you can save a lot of money by repairing it as soon as possible with these quick and easy repair tips. Check the damage, remove the cabinet door, and use a filler to seal scratches, dents, and cracks. Sand, prime, and paint it to your desired look and use a sealer to stop water damage in the future.
We have also shared tips on cutting home improvement costs.