ᐅ After painting, my KALLAX doors no longer close properly – any advice?

Hello everyone,

I just refinished my IKEA KALLAX to improve the surface a bit. However, now I have the problem that the doors no longer close properly. It feels like the doors are rubbing or catching somewhere, so the latch doesn’t engage fully.

I haven’t changed the hinges or mounting hardware, but I suspect that maybe the new paint layer slightly altered the dimensions or was applied too thickly. Perhaps the alignment is also off?

Has anyone experienced something similar or have tips on how to restore proper functionality? I’d prefer not to replace the doors right away but to gradually identify where the problem is. Thanks in advance!

Check if the paint layer on the hinges or door edges is too thick. Usually, gently sanding the paint there or applying a thinner coat is sufficient.

It is important to first identify the exact cause of the locking issue. The application of paint may have altered the dimensions at the contact surfaces, especially if multiple layers have been applied.

Recommendation: Remove the doors and test whether they move freely at the hinges and contact points without paint. If they do, the problem is likely caused by the paint layer.

Alternatively, warping of the doors due to moisture during painting could also be a factor.

IRAKLI52 schrieb:
It feels like the doors are rubbing or getting stuck somewhere

I hardly think the hinges are to blame. In my opinion, these parts from IKEA are quite sturdy and don’t get affected that easily. It’s more likely that the paint is simply too thick or the doors have warped slightly.

The easy fix: unscrew the doors, sand them down a bit, and if necessary, readjust the hinges.

Sometimes it also helps to realign the doors. IKEA KALLAX hinges have an adjustable angle feature. Simply check the screws and adjust if necessary.

Oh, I know the problem with closing doors! 😅 My tip: try lightly sanding the painted edges where it sticks using fine sandpaper (grit 220 or finer). Sometimes it's just a few tenths of a millimeter too much paint that turns a door into a drama. 🙂

Just be careful not to sand too much, or you’ll soon need new paint touch-ups. 😉