How to Fix Screw Holes in Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Wipe the Screw Hole Down. Before you start filling the holes, you need to ensure that there are no chipped off paint...
- Fill the Screw Hole With Wood Filler or Dowel Rods. Once you have a clean hole, it is time to fill it up. ... This...
- Sand the Hole Down to Get Even Surface. Once the holes are filled,...
- Remove the doors and unscrew the handles.
- Sand the holes flat.
- Fill both sides of the hole.
- Sand the wood filler smooth.
- Paint over the holes.
- Drill the new handle holes.
- Install the new cabinet handles.
How to fix screw holes in cabinets?
To fix screw holes in cabinets, you need to have clean holes that you can fill with either dowel rods or wood filler. For a cleaner finish, you can paint over or stain the filled holes. For a thorough step-by-step guide on how to fix screw holes in cabinets left from handles and hinges, keep reading this article.
Why should you fill old holes in cabinet hardware?
When replacing cabinet hardware that is a different size or spacing measurement, the old holes from the original hardware will need to be filled to ensure a good outcome. Our kitchens are lived-in spaces that get a lot of traffic and use. That means that sometimes accidents can happen that damage our cabinet side panels or doors.
How do you use wood putty to fill cabinet holes?
If you’re filling larger holes you will want to use a small flexible putty knife to push the wood putty into the hole. After the hole is full, use the putty knife to scrape the excess off the surface of the cabinet and leave the putty flush with the panel or door.
What do you need to fix a broken cabinet hinge?
You’ll need a bottle of wood glue, a 1/2-in. drill bit and a package of 1/2-in.-diameter hardwood plugs (sold at home centers). Start by removing the hinge screws on the cabinet and flipping the hinge out of your way.

Can you fill hardware holes in cabinets?
4:376:23Filling Holes when Replacing Cabinet or Furniture Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipQuick wood is a one and done option it fills the hole perfectly.MoreQuick wood is a one and done option it fills the hole perfectly.
How do you cover holes in old cabinet hardware?
How-To:Squeeze small amount of the wood filler onto your finger, then rub it right into the hole in a circular motion.After the hole is covered, let it dry. Once dry, sand it smooth.After you have sanded it, check to see if it needs another coat of the filler. If it does, repeat as needed.
How do you fix a screw hole in a cabinet?
0:414:52Kitchen Cabinets, Fixing Stripped Screw Holes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll need to drill the hole a little larger so the molle will fit here i'm working the drill bitMoreYou'll need to drill the hole a little larger so the molle will fit here i'm working the drill bit with tape so don't drill all the way through the cabinet.
How do you fill nail holes in cabinets?
0:281:21How To Fill Nail Holes, Miter Joints and Cabinet Seams DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPutty.MorePutty.
How do you fill old hardware holes?
0:001:04fill hardware holes and replace hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCover the dowel in wood glue and stick into the drawer. Allow the glue a few hours to dry. And thenMoreCover the dowel in wood glue and stick into the drawer. Allow the glue a few hours to dry. And then sand the face of the drawer until it is perfectly smooth and your dowels are flush with the surface.
How do you fill old cabinet pull holes?
How to Fill Screw Holes in Cabinet DoorsRemove the doors and unscrew the handles.Sand the holes flat.Fill both sides of the hole.Sand the wood filler smooth.Paint over the holes.Drill the new handle holes.Install the new cabinet handles.
How do you cover a hardware hole?
The DIY Designer: How to cover old hardware holesRemove the old hardware. If your cabinets are older like mine were, there may be a grimy outline of the old hardware left behind. ... Grab your wood filler/putty. ... Finally, paint or stain over the filler with paint or stain of your choice.
How do you fix a screw hole that is too big?
All you have to do is fill the hole with a little glue and the appropriately-sized plug or dowel. Let the glue cure for about 24 hours, and then drill a pilot hole into the center of the plug to make room for your new screw.
How do you fill nail holes without sanding?
2:567:58Putty nail holes super fast!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I can do is you take make sure your thumb is behind it. And you push it over the hole. And youMoreWhat I can do is you take make sure your thumb is behind it. And you push it over the hole. And you really push hard and you come up and it's almost flat but if you want it super flat.
How do you repair a hole in a wood cabinet?
1:163:30How To Fix Holes in Kitchen Cabinets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCuts off this little piece with a soft. And then he goes ahead puts glue in the hole glue on theMoreCuts off this little piece with a soft. And then he goes ahead puts glue in the hole glue on the piece stick it in there and then we let it set overnight. So it can dry completely see like this and.
Can you screw into wood filler?
Yes, you can drill and screw into epoxy-based wood fillers when dry. However, it is often essential to drill a hole into a wood filler before dragging a screw into it. Screwing directly into an epoxy can cause it to crack since epoxies are generally very dense.
How do you cover screw holes in wood?
0:001:38How to Hide Screw Holes with Wood Plugs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you want to make this hole disappear completely I'll show you how to do that take a piece ofMoreIf you want to make this hole disappear completely I'll show you how to do that take a piece of scrap wood that closely matches the width the hole is in and this is called a plug cutter.
How do you close a hole in a cabinet?
Fill Hole Or Holes With Wood Putty it is important to use enough putty to completely fill the hole without leaving extra on the cabinet or around the hole, if possible. If you're filling small nail holes, you can often use your fingers or the putty pen to push it into the hole and wipe it smooth.
How to prevent a chip in a wood hole?
Seal the Hole to Prevent Chips or Cracks. Use a wood sealer to prevent additional scratches or stains on your fixed hole. You can use this Minwax Urethane Spray Sealer to spray over your hole and give it a nice finish to prevent additional damage. Be sure to spray a sealer only once the stain or paint has dried.
What to do with dust accumulated with a brush?
Brush accumulated dust away with a brush or a mini vacuum cleaner.
How to get moisture out of wood?
If needed, use a knife for better access. Dry with a fresh paper towel to prevent the moisture from negatively affecting the wood’s physical properties.
When is it time to fill a hole?
Once you have a clean hole, it is time to fill it up. This can be achieved through a variety of ways, including:
Can you sand wood without support?
The pressure is distributed inconsistently through your hands when you sand without support. With a sanding block or sponge, the wood will have an even surface.
Do you need to measure the diameter of a hole?
However, you need to measure the hole’s diameter first so that you can purchase the correct size to fill your hole. This can be done by:
Can you use Minwax to fill holes?
You can use this Minwax Stainable Wood Filler to fill your hole. It comes with a hardener that you need to add to your filler to help it dry fast. A good rule of thumb is to use a golf-ball-sized filler to an inch of hardener.
What do we do with holes in kitchen cabinets?
We most often deal with filling holes in kitchen or bathroom cabinet doors when a client wants to repaint their cabinets and replace them with new hardware.
How to fill small holes in wood cabinet?
If you’re needing to fill with small holes from nails in your cabinetry, then the solution is often one to two steps . You’ll want to get a wood putty for the nail holes, they often come in kits of multiple colors so you can find an appropriate color. If you can’t find the right match, you can full the hole in a neutral color wood putty and touch up the spots with a stain pen.
Why Might You Need To Fill Holes In Your Cabinets?
After the installation, those holes should be filled to give the cabinets a polished look and hide any minor imperfections.
Can you sand wood putty before it drys?
Make sure the wood putty is 100% dry before attempting this step. In case your best effort to scrape off excess putty before it dried didn’t work and there is still some amount of residue, or the putty is coming out of the hole slightly, then sanding will be your friend.
Can you replace cabinet knobs?
Sometimes simply replacing cabinet knobs, pulls, or hinges can give a kitchen a facelift. When replacing cabinet hardware that is a different size or spacing measurement, the old holes from the original hardware will need to be filled to ensure a good outcome.
Can a hole in a kitchen door be filled?
That means that sometimes accidents can happen that damage our cabinet side panels or doors. Depending on the level of damage , sometimes the holes can be filled to return it to a better condition.
Can you buy touch up kits for cabinets?
Usually if you order pre-finished cabinets, you can often buy a touch-up kit from the manufacturer to match the paint color. If you’re not that lucky, don’t worry! There are easy solutions for you too.
What to use to wipe excess off of a Mohawk?
Mohawk’s instructions say that you can wipe excess off with a hard surface (like a credit card) or a paper towel. We found that a dry paper towel worked best.
How to fix graining marker?
To fix this, once the graining marker is dry, you can simply lightly rub the Fil-Stik over the area again and wipe excess away. The Fil-Stik takes away any extra shine created by the graining marker.
Can you fill holes in stained wood?
Filling holes in stained wood is not easy. Even with stainable wood filler, the holes are usually fairly noticeable and can stick out like a sore thumb. It’s either too dark or too light. Matching the natural look of wood grain is also tough to do if you don’t have the right products.
How to hide scratches on kitchen cabinets?
If you have shallow scratches or nicks, hide them with a stain-filled touch-up marker. Dab on the stain and wipe off the excess with a rag. But beware: Scratches can absorb lots of stain and turn darker than the surrounding finish. So start with a marker that’s lighter than your cabinet finish and then switch to a darker shade if needed. For deeper scratches, use a filler pencil, which fills and colors the scratch.
How to adjust hinges if they don't have depth screws?
If your hinges don’t have depth screws, start with the side screws. These move the door from side to side. In some cases, you have to loosen the depth screw slightly to adjust the side screw. Perfect one door before adjusting the second.
What does it mean when a cabinet door doesn't close?
Most newer cabinets have self-closing hinges that hold the doors shut. Others have magnetic or roller catches. 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.
What is Euro hinge?
Euro hinges are designed for easy adjustment. If the door isn’t flush with the doors next to it, adjust the depth screw. This screw moves the door in or out. Some depth screws move the door as you turn them. But with most, you have to loosen the screw, nudge the door in or out and then tighten the screw. If your hinges don’t have depth screws, ...
How to adjust a door that doesn't close?
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.
How to fix loose nails?
Remove nails, staples or screws from the loose joint and scrape away old glue with a utility knife. Predrill nails holes and glue the joint. Predrill 1/16-in. holes for nails, apply wood glue to the joint and nail it together with 1-1/2 in. finish nails.
What to do if your slides are bent?
To keep the project simple, buy new slides that are identical (or almost identical) to the old ones. That way, replacement is an easy matter of unscrewing the old and screwing on the new.
How many coats of filler do I need for a hole in a wood floor?
Typically, I find that most holes need 1-2 coats of filler. Finally, paint or stain over the filler with paint or stain of your choice. As I said in the beginning, if you are staining or want to stain the spot where you filled the hole, be sure to buy one of the wood fillers that is stainable.
What is the easiest wood filler to sand?
I have used lots of different fillers over the years and this Elmer’s Wood Filler Max is by far my favorite. Its the easiest to work with and the easiest to sand, in my opinion.
Can you paint over wood filler?
Wood Putty / Filler (If painting over the wood filler / cabinets, the color of filler doesn’t matter. If you are staining over the filler / cabinets, get a stainable filler.)
