As one of the most frequently used pieces of furniture in your house, kitchen cabinets can start to show signs of wear and tear quickly.
However, as they are a pricey investment, you want to be able to use them for as long as possible while still looking pleasing to the eye. Sometimes accidents can happen, your cabinets can chip after you shut the cabinet door close a bit too roughly, or some water damage may occur.
Although you may think that replacing them is the only option when such instances happen, there are other ways to deal with scratches, dents, and cracks. To learn how to repair damaged kitchen cabinet doors, continue reading!
Maintaining Tips for Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Before we get to how to repair damaged kitchen cabinet doors, we should first examine how to maintain them so that they don’t need fixing. Regularly maintaining your kitchen cabinets will significantly help you in the long run. Proper maintenance will make the chance of your cabinets cracking or requiring replacement less likely. Therefore caring for them regularly will save money and time.
Regular cleaning: Once every couple of days, or twice a week, depending on the frequency of usage, you should clean all cabinets and knobs thoroughly.
Cleaning regularly will also make it easier, as the stains that may have occurred on the surface haven’t had time to solidify. In other words, the sooner you clean, the easier it’ll be. The more time passes between cleaning, the more dirt and stains will accumulate and have the chance to become permanent potentially.
Avoid harsh chemicals: Certain harsh chemicals can wear your kitchen cabinets down over time. Therefore the cleaner you choose for kitchen chemicals should be free of those types of chemicals.
Furthermore, regular cleaning won’t require harsh cleaners as the stains will be easier to remove. Nor will you need to scrub harshly with abrasive cleaners, as they can also scratch the surface. Ammonia-based cleaners may harm the wood finish and cause the cabinets to show aging signs.
Use natural products: As harsh chemicals are out of the question, try using natural ones that won’t negatively affect your cabinets. Combining vinegar and water makes an excellent cleaning solution. Vinegar is anti-bacterial and cuts through build-up and any other dirt or stain. You can use this mixture as much and as frequently as you want.
A spray bottle filled with vinegar and water will be helpful during cleaning. The reason why vinegar is so highly recommended for cleaning is that it is an acidic liquid. Therefore it kills bacteria while being completely food safe. Furthermore, it is a perfectly accessible ingredient; you probably already have it at home.
Don’t slam the doors: Trying to make a rushed weekday dinner can be stressful after a long day at work. But don’t forget to show some care to your cabinets. Sometimes we don’t realize that we have slammed the cabinets way harder than needed as they are so light and don’t make a loud noise.
However, paying a little attention to how you close your cabinets can save you a lot of headaches in the long run. Slamming the cabinets can cause premature aging and cause chipping. If you want to guarantee that no one slams your cabinets, you can invest in hardware that softens the force of slamming.
Avoid moisture: Even though the cabinets are painted and sealed to be resistant to moisture and other outside factors, prolonged exposure to moisture can still harm your wood cabinets. For example, hanging a wet towel or rag to dry on your cabinets can cause the wood to decay. For the same reason, after wiping your cabinets with a damp cloth to clean them, you should dry the surface with a dry one.
Common Signs of Damage to Kitchen Cabinet Doors
One of the most common signs of damage to kitchen cabinet doors are cracks, dents, nicks, and scratches. Cabinets covered in cracks and scratches are unpleasant to look at. Moreover, as the surface is compromised, cracks and scratches can allow outside factors, such as water, to seep further into the wood and cause structural damage.
Water damage is another significant factor. If the wood has started to feel soft to the touch, that means it has been damaged. After that point, the wood can begin to decay can cause problems more severe than just how it looks.
If the flaws, such as dents, are only surface-deep, then you can get away with only resurfacing them if you can be sure that the wood inside isn’t damaged. Otherwise, you would only be locking the moisture in.
Regular cleaning makes your cabinets look fresh and new for a longer time. However, there will come a time when regular cleaning won’t be enough. This may be caused by fading paint, polish, or other damage. At that point, it may be time to consult a professional regarding repainting or re-polishing. Age and general usage will wear the cabinets down.
Therefore you should be prepared to hear that they might be at the end of their lifespan and the time to replace them has arrived.
Cabinet doors that won’t open or close properly can be highly frustrating. If one or more of the doors are sticking, doesn’t stay closed, or lays crooked, it is time to repair or replace the hinged. If repairing the hinge didn’t solve the problem, the misaligned doors might need to be replaced altogether.
How to Fix a Cracked Cabinet Door Panel?
Now that you know what signs to look for to identify damaged kitchen cabinets that need repair, we can learn how to repair damaged kitchen cabinet doors. Repairing cabinet doors can seem challenging. However, with this guide, you will manage to do it in no time!
- The first step is the remove the door from the frame. The easiest way is to remove the hinges while carefully supporting the door. Place the removed door on a flat surface. Clean the door as thoroughly as possible and dry it with a cloth.
- Afterward, examine the damage on the door. If there is a hole or some pieces of wood are torn, you can try to glue it back together with wood glue. Place some scrap wood on top and below the part you’ve glued, then use a clamp to make sure the glue can dry while the pressure is holding everything together.
- Remove the damaged wood using a small saw or utility knife if it is beyond usable. To repair the missing part of the panel, mix some epoxy filler. Press the filler into the gap and smooth it out. Make sure to leave it slightly humped to allow for shrinkage as it dries. Leave it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After it has dried, fill any low areas with a wood filler.
- Sand the dried parts in the direction of the wood grain until flush with the rest of the panel. Stain or paint the repaired part to match the color. After allowing the paint or stain to dry completely, use a sealer over all surfaces to make the repair spot less noticeable.
How to Repair Kitchen Cabinet Frame?
- Remove the door and inspect the severity of the crack or damage on the frame. If the crack goes all the way through, it might need to be replaced for the best and long-lasting results. If the crack is small, apply a small amount of glue to the crack and hold the frame together until the glue dries. Alternatively, you can use clamps if you have them to keep the frame together while it dries.
- Afterward, fill the imperfections or remaining holes with wood filler. Sand the area to ensure a smooth and level finish—Prime and paint to match the color of the wood. Make sure to blend thoroughly between the wood and the filler.
- After the paint has dried, seal the whole surface to provide visual stability between the filled and entire parts. Using two coats of sealant while sanding in between with fine-grit sandpaper is best.
- Another solution is to screw the frame together. Using screws longer than the ones that were originally used can help add stability and integrity to the frame. However, you should use a leveler to make sure the screws you are placing are evenly spaced.
Conclusion
Today, we have explained how to maintain your kitchen cabinets and repair the damaged ones when required. Now that you have all the information you need, there remains nothing that can stop you from repairing your cabinet doors. Don’t forget to take all the safety measures before starting the repair.
If you are looking to read more informative posts about kitchen cabinets, check out our blog!
