Hello everyone, I recently painted my IKEA KALLAX doors to give them a fresher look. However, the doors now creak noticeably every time they are opened or closed – before, there was no sound at all. The creaking seems to come from the hinge area. I used 240 grit sandpaper, followed by two coats of water-based acrylic paint. The doors were allowed to dry thoroughly between coats, and I carefully removed and reattached the hinges. Still, the unpleasant noise remains, and it’s really annoying me now. Does anyone have an idea what might be causing this? Could it be due to the paint, moisture, or the hinges themselves? Is there a trick to get rid of the creaking without having to redo everything drastically?
marmar50 schrieb:
The creaking usually comes from friction on the hinge pins.I can confirm that. I once had painted cabinet doors that started making noises after painting. It was really frustrating because I had put so much effort into it. A good remedy for creaking can really work wonders – even better when you get rid of the annoying sounds and the work pays off :-). Maybe this will help you too!
In addition to the tips: Make sure to completely remove the hinges before painting to avoid paint residue, which can build up between moving parts and cause friction. If this has already been cleaned, lightly sanding the hinge surfaces with abrasive fleece before applying oil can help. Also, applying paint to the door frame can affect the gap dimensions, causing the doors to sit slightly differently on the hinges. In such cases, readjusting the hinges at the mounting points can be useful to change the pressure or position.
DARREL5 schrieb:
The creaking seems to be coming from the area of the hinges.It’s interesting that you removed and reinstalled the hinges but didn’t make any adjustments. Often, the common reaction to simply repaint can actually make the problem worse. I would argue that the creaking is not caused by the paint itself but by neglected maintenance or a lack of proper adjustment. Those who think appearance is all that matters often underestimate the mechanical consequences. Once the hinges are correctly adjusted and oiled, the issue is usually resolved. Seriously, you don’t always have to assume it’s a product failure.Since the cause often lies in the hinges, it is advisable to check the surfaces for any leftover paint that may stick to the moving parts of the hinge. Paint on moving components increases mechanical friction and causes noise. The best practice includes the following steps: 1. Remove the hinges, 2. Remove all paint residues, possibly using fine sandpaper or abrasive pads, 3. Apply a suitable lubricant to the hinges (e.g., silicone grease or special hinge oil), 4. After reinstallation, check the adjustment of the hinges to avoid uneven pressure. If moisture remains in the material after painting, this can also lead to deformation, which may worsen friction. Therefore, always allow sufficient drying time.
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