How can we repair kitchen drawers where the front has pulled away from the sides before painting them?
Asked by Olavo da Cunha 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 25, 2024
Our kitchen drawers are over 80 years old and starting to show some wear and tear. We can’t afford to replace them right now, so I’m looking for some tips on how to fix the problem of the fronts pulling away from the sides. We’re planning on painting them soon. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
You could test out a few L-shaped brackets inside to secure it, just double check that the screws aren’t too lengthy.
Exactly. Affordable, quick, straightforward, and sturdy. What else could you need?
Considering the age of the wood, to minimize the chance of splitting, pre-drill pilot holes and opt for screws without threads near the head.
Appreciate the suggestion! I never considered using L brackets. I was thinking of adding thicker material next to the existing wood due to its thinness, to ensure the screw has enough depth for a secure hold.
Attach it with glue and clamp it down until it’s completely dry
What type of adhesive would be strong enough for that?
Just wanted to let you know that any decent wood glue should do the trick for that. You could also try some 2-part adhesive options. Head to a big box store and see what they have available!
Is using a sturdy clamp to hold it firmly in place and letting it sit.
I recommend using Tite bond wood glue with the red cap. Just glue it, clamp it, and let it sit for at least 24 hours. It will hold even better than before. I’ve used it to repair guitar necks and they end up stronger than they were originally.
Cut a piece of 3/4” board to fit the inside of the drawer. Press it against the drawer front with the same depth. Secure it by screwing through the drawer sides and then into the front to pull it back. (Just be careful not to make them too long!) It will make the drawer very sturdy, although you will sacrifice 3/4” of drawer space.
This seems like a good solution! A little loss of space is fine.
I also think the L bracket idea is great, but having more space to screw into the drawer front could be helpful if you ever need to remove some bows.
You can either drill windows in the drawers for the hardware or just drill through the existing bolt holes with longer bolts. Personally, I would opt for drilling windows with 3/4-1″ holes.
Thanks for the info, Nathan! I was just thinking about the drawer pull hardware.
Have you tried using wood glue and clamps?
I highly recommend using this paint! It works wonders on older items.
Check out the All-In-One Paint by Heirloom Traditions Group
You’re welcome!
For a very strong hold, use polyurethane construction adhesive. Apply some in the gaps and clamp it overnight for best results.
Apply wood glue and use a clamp to hold it in place until it dries. You can even reinforce it with some corner brackets on the inside.