ᐅ Doors for Kallax no longer fit after painting – how can I adjust them?

Hello everyone, I have the following problem: I painted my Kallax doors to improve their appearance. Unfortunately, the doors no longer fit into the intended openings of the shelving unit. They fitted perfectly before, but after painting, the paint layer is clearly thick enough that the doors are now too large and either get stuck or won’t close properly. My question is: How can I modify the painted doors so that they fit the Kallax again? I’d prefer not to completely trim them down, as the surface finish is very important to me. Are there simple, clean ways to adjust the doors afterward? I look forward to your tips and experiences!

Hello, I would lightly sand the doors using a sanding block or an orbital sander, working on the edges and sides until they fit properly again. It’s best to only sand the edges, not the surface. Afterwards, repaint the edges if necessary.

Hello Digokhan69, here is my suggestion for you:

1. First, measure the doors precisely, including width, height, and thickness after painting. Also, check the internal dimensions of the recesses.

2. If the paint layer is mainly on the edges, you could lightly sand the edges with fine sandpaper (grit 180-240) to improve the fit.

3. Important: Regularly check the fit while sanding to avoid removing too much material.

4. When repainting the edges, I recommend applying the paint sparingly and in thin layers with a brush to prevent the doors from becoming too thick again.

5. It might also be possible to readjust the hinges or use different hinges that allow some play.

Conclusion: Light sanding combined with careful repainting is often a good solution. Good luck!

gla-tan schrieb:
I would lightly sand the doors

That is basically a good tip, but I see it in a more nuanced way. Before sanding, you should consider the exact thickness of the paint layer and whether it might be more sensible to adjust or fit the doors slightly before painting. Sanding after painting can damage the surface and require rework.

It is also surprising how much wooden doors change due to the paint – not only in thickness but also in shape. If you have painted the doors several times, the multiple layers can definitely cause issues. You might want to consider stripping the paint off the doors and then applying a thin new coat.

Hey, I totally know that feeling!!! 😃 I also lightly sanded my Kallax doors yesterday for exactly the same reason. I made sure to equip myself with 240-grit sandpaper and a small orbital sander. It worked really well, you just have to be patient and gently sand down the thicker spots!

Guyju schrieb:
Check the fit regularly while sanding

That advice was pure gold for me too, otherwise it’s easy to sand off too much. Then just do a little touch-up painting afterward, and you’re done 🙂 🙂 Good luck to you too!

Hello! A quick tip from me, not just sanding: Sometimes it also helps to slightly bevel the door edges where it rubs against the shelf. You basically remove a minimal amount of material so the door slides smoothly again.

Important: You don’t need to sand down the entire edge, just lightly chamfer the corners or edges – this creates more clearance and prevents sticking. This works particularly well with a small sanding block or even a utility knife if you are careful.

LuMarcel43 schrieb:
Sanding after painting can damage the surface

Of course, but if you are careful and use fine sandpaper, it works well. You just need to touch up the treated areas with some paint afterward.