how to repair peeling kitchen cabinet doors

Here’s how you can repair peeling surfaces on kitchen cabinet doors:

• Remove the door and peel the laminate from the cabinet face if you have laminated kitchen cabinets.
• Apply a thin layer of waterproof adhesive to the exposed surface and the underside of the laminate.
• Keep the surfaces separated as you let the adhesive set for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Full Answer

How to fix peeling cabinets?

• Sage is a good color for a farmhouse style kitchen.
• Glossy black is a more contemporary design.
• Weathered white can give your kitchen a cottage-style look.
• Red is a nice choice for a country kitchen
• Yellow is bold and bright for a fun kitchen
• Tan or gray are fine for a traditional kitchen

How to finish cabinet doors?

There are multiple ways to stain cabinets, but this is what you need in most cases:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Sanding pad (or electric wood sander)
• Tack cloth
• Drip cloth (or newspaper)
• Wood scraps
• Foam brush
• 220-grit sandpaper (120-grit sandpaper optional)
• White cotton rags or old t-shirts
• Protective gloves
• Pre-Stain wood conditioner

More items...

How do I replace cabinet doors?

• Set a combination square at the 2-inch mark.
• Position the new hinges an equal distance from the top and bottom of the door.
• Use a finish nail or an awl to mark the screw locations.
• Use a cabinet and drawer installation template to ensure that all of the knobs and/or handles are in the exact location on all doors and drawers.

How to fix peeling laminate kitchen cabinet doors?

Things You Will Need

• Sandpaper
• Waterproof adhesive
• Masking tape
• Utility knife
• Screwdriver or drill
• Flammable grade glue solvent in spray form
• Measuring tape
• Cloth
• Self-sticking laminate or laminate
• Contact cement (optional)

Can peeling laminate cabinets be repaired?

Depending on the damage, you can either fix the existing laminate or reface the door to fix the problem without installing entirely new units. As a general rule, if there are any cracks in the laminate, the entire piece needs to be replaced; however, if there's only peeling, you can reattach the laminate with adhesive.

How do you fix peeling veneer on kitchen cabinets?

0:556:10Repairing A Peeling Veneer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then heal it all feels all really easy then it was just a matter of cutting. The iron-on veneerMoreAnd then heal it all feels all really easy then it was just a matter of cutting. The iron-on veneer strips to fit perfectly with the circle that I cut again they cut very easily.

How do you fix a peeling laminate kitchen door?

1:118:03Repairing peeling laminate kitchen doors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis one I've completely glued with a glue that I've discovered from Wix which and this is theMoreThis one I've completely glued with a glue that I've discovered from Wix which and this is the dishwasher I've put the aluminium angle.

How do you fix peeling vinyl kitchen cabinets?

0:202:46Repair Loose Vinyl Cabinet Door Edges - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold the edge. Back. Put the glue. Inside. Rub it with a sponge or your finger.MoreHold the edge. Back. Put the glue. Inside. Rub it with a sponge or your finger.

Is it cheaper to reface cabinets or replace?

Refacing is about 30 to 50-percent less than replacement. Expect to pay about $13,000 to $30,000 for contractor-grade cabinets. Best when the cabinet boxes are in solid shape and cost is an issue. Best when doing a whole-kitchen remodel or when cabinet boxes are in poor shape.

How do you fix peeling melamine cabinets?

If the melamine coating has only come loose in a few areas, you can reattach it using an instant adhesive, such as Super Glue or Krazy Glue. You can use instant glue to reattach peeling melamine coating on a cabinet. However, if larger areas of the melamine cabinets are loose, you will need to paint the cabinets.

Why are my kitchen cabinets peeling?

Your kitchen cabinets might peel for many reasons, including water damage, a poor paint job or high humidity. Areas near the sink and above the stovetop are especially prone to peeling, and it's an eyesore that can drive you batty.

How do you fix fake wood cabinets?

2:032:41Laminate Cabinet Door Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet them to cut the piece a little bit smaller than the original sighs. Bring it back and glue it onMoreGet them to cut the piece a little bit smaller than the original sighs. Bring it back and glue it on. File. It off and clean it with lacquer thinner. Okay if they don't have wood grain.

Can laminate cabinets be refaced?

The old laminate will have to be removed, and the underlying wood cleaned and sanded smooth, so you should expect a bit of a cost increase due to the additional labor. So long as your laminate cabinets aren't falling apart, they can be refaced just as well as any other cabinet.

Can you replace the vinyl on kitchen cabinets?

Vinyl wraps are an easy, fun, and cost-effective way to up the look of your kitchen cabinets. If you choose the right ones, they won't leave any sticky residue when removed and can be easily replaced as you please!

How do you fix peeling thermofoil cabinet doors?

InstructionsPull Back the Thermofoil Layer. Have a helper hold the peeling thermofoil away from the MDF. ... Scrape the Cement. Scrape away dried cement from the MDF core.Apply the Contact Cement. ... Wait to Press. ... Press Together and Secure. ... Clean Up.

How do you paint peeling laminate cabinets?

0:153:22How to Paint Laminate Cabinets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll need a high-quality bonding primer I use two Zinser oil-based cover stain primer since I hadMoreYou'll need a high-quality bonding primer I use two Zinser oil-based cover stain primer since I had it on hand.

Can you repair veneer cabinets?

Many beautiful, costly items of furniture can be made of thin wood veneers over a different material and you may not even realise until the damage is done. It's unsightly to see the internal material exposed but don't panic - we can repair it, flawlessly, just as we do solid wood furniture.

How do you fix peeling veneer?

1:5115:25How To Repair Furniture and Remove Peeling Veneer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I'm gonna do is while I'm peeling veneer I'm gonna get this glueing. Up. So the foot forMoreSo what I'm gonna do is while I'm peeling veneer I'm gonna get this glueing. Up. So the foot for that side is also snapped in half I've got a healthy dose of glue on here and I'm gonna clamp these.

Can veneer cabinets be refinished?

Start by cleaning and sanding the surface, making sure to avoid removing too much of the veneer in the process. Then repair any minor damage and apply the paint or stain of your choice. Finally, you'll want to seal your refinished cabinets to preserve their look over the long term.

How do you paint over peeling veneer?

0:467:17Repairing Bubbled or Chipped Veneer Before Painting a Vintage ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere's no way you can get that to glue back down flat. So I just went ahead and removed it soMoreThere's no way you can get that to glue back down flat. So I just went ahead and removed it so everything that's sticking here is still glued pretty securely.

Evaluate the Issue

This should always be your first step. Evaluating the issue could allow you to see whether the issue happened because of overuse or if it was a manufacturing error. Identifying a manufacturing error will allow you to work with the dealer or company to provide a replacement or schedule professional repairs if needed.

Decide if It Can Be Repaired or Needs Replacement

During the evaluation, you should be able to decide if the issue requires a quick and easy repair or if you’ll need to replace the entire area. If a few inches of the laminate strip or edging have been pulled loose, but the majority of the area is still intact, the necessary laminate cabinet repairs may be as simple as adding some extra adhesive.

Follow Recommendations for Fixing Scratches and Gouges

If your laminate cabinet doors have gouges and scratches on them, it might take away from the look of the room. Don’t let this be the case! Fill the cracks and seams with seam filler. Once you fill the crack or gouge, wet your fingertip and smooth the area. Then, allow it to dry, and you will be golden.

How to loosen contact cement?

Use a flammable grade glue solvent to loosen the contact cement holding the laminate in place. Make sure the area is well ventilated and that there are no open flames. Wear gloves and spray the solvent to the exposed corner, working a knife between the laminate and the substrate using a sawing motion.

Can you reattach laminate with adhesive?

As a general rule, if there are any cracks in the laminate, the entire piece needs to be replaced; however, if there’s only peeling, you can reattach the laminate with adhesive.

Can laminate cabinets peel back?

Laminate cabinets are a cost-effective way to provide a visually appealing finish for cabinets. Although generally durable , the laminate can begin to peel back with age or potentially crack. Depending on the damage, you can either fix the existing laminate or reface the door to fix the problem without installing entirely new units.

How to remove excess cement from a repair?

You can remove excess contact cement from the edges of the repair area by gently rubbing it with your fingers to "pill" it up, then discard those rubbery bits of contact cement.

Can you repair a warped MDF cabinet?

If the MDF itself is bulging or is in any condition other than completely flat and smooth, there is really no point in trying to repair the cabinets. Warped MDF cannot be sanded down, planed, or otherwise made smooth. With only a few simple tools and materials, you can repair thermofoil.

Can you pull a thermofoil off of MDF?

Have a helper hold the peeling thermofoil away from the MDF. Be careful not to pull too far or at an acute angle, since old thermofoil can snap off or crack.

Is PVC laminate wood peeling?

This economy comes at a price, however, since any laminated wood product runs the risk of delamination, and the very thin layer of PVC material used in the thermofoil process is especially prone to peeling.

Can laminated wood peel?

For example, it is not uncommon for furniture made from hardwood veneer laminated to a solid wood core to begin peeling after a few years. Traffic, use, and water contact or humidity will only speed up the process. The same holds true of plastic laminate furniture, where the layers of plastic bonded to the MDF core can also delaminate and separate.

What to do if your cabinet is warped?

For instance, if a cabinet shelf, drawer box or any of the doors and drawers have warped, you usually need a cabinetmaker or carpenter.

Why won't my cabinet door close?

A cabinet door that doesn't close or that doesn't stay closed is often caused by a problem with one of the hinges. Check the hinges to see if any of them are loose or no longer flat against the cabinet or cabinet door. If a hinge is loose, the most common cause is a loose screw or two.

What is a fill stick for cabinet?

A fill stick, available at most hardware stores, comes in handy for filling tiny holes, such as old screw holes or gouge marks on a door or drawer front.

How to get a close color match on a cabinet?

Start with a color slightly lighter than the cabinet's finish and then layer darker markers until the scratch is no longer obvious. Test markers in an inconspicuous area first to ensure a close color match. 2.

How to get rid of excess marker ink?

Wipe away excess marker ink with a soft cloth if necessary before it dries. If you don't know the name of your cabinets' finish, pick up a set of wood-repair markers from a home improvement store. These usually include markers in common natural-wood finishes.

Do you need to paint scratches on kitchen cabinets?

Minor scrapes and scratches on kitchen cabinets and countertops usually don't need paint or stain and are simple enough to be a DIY home improvement project with very little out-of-pocket expense. If you still have the original literature that came with your cabinets, look for the manufacturer and any information about the cabinet finish. Check with the original retailer or on the manufacturer's website for a touch-up kit or scratch-repair marker that matches your type of finish. Some cabinet retailers even include these with the cabinets since minor dings are bound to happen during the installation process.

Can you replace a cabinet door with a manufacturer part?

If a cabinet door or box is beyond a simple repair, it's usually easiest and cheapest to simply replace it with a manufacturer part, but if the cabinets were custom built, you may need to have a skilled carpenter or cabinetmaker craft an identical replacement part.