How to Fix a Hole in a Cabinet Door: Step-by-Step
- Step 1. First up you need to prepare the area around the hole. Sand down the hole to remove any old or chipped paint,...
- Step 2. Once the area is prepared and you are ready to start, mix the wood filler. Epoxy wood filler comes in two parts...
- Step 3. Wood filler dries out very quickly once it is exposed to air, so you...
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.
How do you fix a broken kitchen cabinet door?
Materials – paper towels, screwdriver, wiping stain, clamps, wood filler, wood glue, brush. Use Titebond glue, ZAR® stain, Color Putty and Jorgensen clamps to fix kitchen cabinet door. Aligning the rails is the main fix tor the repair of the broken cabinet door.
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.
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.

What to use to fill holes in cabinet doors?
1:566:23Filling Holes when Replacing Cabinet or Furniture Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen i let them all dry for a day to make sure that the wood filler had enough time to. Dry then iMoreThen i let them all dry for a day to make sure that the wood filler had enough time to. Dry then i sanded them all down flush with the wood and i brushed on some.
How do you fix a hole in a cabinet?
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 fix a big hole in a cabinet?
0:082:54An easy way to fix a hole in a RV cabinet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe've put some two by fours in there a couple of wedges just to let it. Let it well it sets. So itMoreWe've put some two by fours in there a couple of wedges just to let it. Let it well it sets. So it doesn't slip out of place. And what I used here is just some ordinary wood glue.
How do you fix a screw hole in a cabinet door?
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 use wood filler on cabinet doors?
0:1115:32GRAIN Filler for Cabinets.... Aqua Coat Wood Grain Filler - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what you need to sand it does bond a lot better than it used to and it has more solids in it. SoMoreAnd what you need to sand it does bond a lot better than it used to and it has more solids in it. So you don't have to apply as many coats as you used to in the past it comes in pints.
How do I fill a hole in a door?
0:061:36How to Patch a Hole in a Hollow Core Door - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext insert a piece of crumpled paper into the opening. Then fill the hole with aerosol foamMoreNext insert a piece of crumpled paper into the opening. Then fill the hole with aerosol foam insulation use the low expansion type and press it in firmly.
How big of a hole can you fill with wood filler?
However, it does have its limits with how much it can cover. Anything more than 3/8-inch isn't advisable. Aside from that, you can sand, paint, and wood stain putty after it hardens.
How do you repair a wooden cabinet door?
0:245:37How To Repair A Cabinet Door That's Pulled Off - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd put it into the hole. So with these hinges there's always a little arrow pointing towards theMoreAnd put it into the hole. So with these hinges there's always a little arrow pointing towards the outside if you're unsure just check out the other hinges.
What to use to fill holes in wood?
Use vinyl spackling compound or water-based wood filler to fill small holes on interior surfaces. When applying wood filler, over fill the hole slightly to compensate for shrinkage as the filler dries. Once the filler has hardened, sand it smooth and prime and paint or stain, as desired.
How do you fix a screw hole that is too big?
0:104:59How to fix a loose wood screw - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can easily fix this by simply inserting a small diameter piece of timber.MoreYou can easily fix this by simply inserting a small diameter piece of timber.
How do toothpicks fix screw holes?
My father gave me great advice for fixing stripped screw holes for hinges....Toothpicks to Renew Stripped Screw HolesFirst, remove the loose hinge.Dip toothpicks in wood glue, and jam as many as you can into the hole.When the glue is dry, trim the toothpicks and drill a new pilot hole for the screw.
How do you fill holes in MDF cabinets?
1:216:59How to Repair MDF - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to be pushing. In the edge of the MDF. So that it's compressed and it's got a sharp edgeMoreSo you want to be pushing. In the edge of the MDF. So that it's compressed and it's got a sharp edge. And it wants to be enough of a dugout shape that it will receive the filler.
How do you fix a hole in wood cabinets?
0:147:07How to fix holes in cabinet doors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo this is the little plug that we made and so now I'm just using like an instant glue I used a bitMoreSo this is the little plug that we made and so now I'm just using like an instant glue I used a bit gorilla glue because it was easy on the Shelf.
How do you fill holes in laminate cabinets?
Apply a dime-sized amount of wood putty on the end of a putty knife.Spread the putty over the hole, pressing downward so that the putty fills the hole and doesn't just cover the surface.Smooth the putty over the hole using your finger.More items...
How do you fill holes in MDF cabinets?
1:216:59How to Repair MDF - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to be pushing. In the edge of the MDF. So that it's compressed and it's got a sharp edgeMoreSo you want to be pushing. In the edge of the MDF. So that it's compressed and it's got a sharp edge. And it wants to be enough of a dugout shape that it will receive the filler.
How do you repair laminate cabinets?
1:182:41Laminate Cabinet Door Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have wood floors you're going to have to peel that piece of laminate. Off of there. With justMoreIf you have wood floors you're going to have to peel that piece of laminate. Off of there. With just a knife and a putty knife. And that's going to take some doing you may need to cut. Down.
Remove the doors and unscrew the handles
It's much easier to work with the cabinet doors on a flat surface. Pop them off the hinges and place them on your work table. You can just drape a drop cloth over your dining table or set a few 2x4s across two sawhorses.
Sand the holes flat
If the original door hardware has been in place for years, there's probably some gunk surrounding the holes. In my case, there was just a bit of paint that pulled up when the screw was removed.
Fill both sides of the hole
Using a plastic putty knife, spread a glob of wood filler into the screw hole on both sides of the door. Overfill the hole slightly so you can sand it flush when it dries. Wood filler is better for painted surfaces than putty (yes, there's a difference !)
Sand the wood filler smooth
Once the wood filler is dry and hard, sand the surface smooth with 220 grit sandpaper. Move in random circles so you don't leave scratch marks that will show up through the paint later.
Paint over the holes
If you previously painted your cabinet doors yourself, use the same paint to touch up the filled screw holes. But what if you have no idea what color your doors are?
Install the new cabinet handles
Now you can attach the new cabinet handles! Just poke the screw through the hole in the back, and tighten them with a screwdriver.
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.
Why do you sand a stained cabinet?
Sand the painted area to ensure the coat is even. If you have a stained wooden cabinet, your life is about to get a little complicated. This is because wood stain reacts differently with different woods. The same stain on beechwood is going to have a different color and texture to that on pine.
How to sand wood with a sponge?
When sanding the hole: Rub the sanding block back and forth along the grain with even pressure. Avoid rubbing from side to side or in a circular motion. 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.
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.
Can you touch up white cabinets?
With white cabinets, you will sometimes be lucky enough that you may not even have to touch up the spots as it can blend seamlessly. Although, if you have another color cabinet, you can easily grab a small brush and touch up those spots with a matching paint color too.
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 you fill holes in kitchen cabinets?
As you can see, filling holes in kitchen or bathroom cabinets can really be a breeze! Grab the right materials, and get ready to use patience to touch up the spots. In a short amount of time, those holes can just be past memories and you will have a few fresh look to your cabinets.
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.