Hello everyone, I have been experiencing a problem for some time with my IKEA Brimnes drawer chest where several drawers squeak unpleasantly when opening and closing. These are wooden drawers with metal runners. The noise is likely caused by friction or lack of lubrication, but I have not found any loose screws, and the drawers are not misaligned. My specific question is: How can I effectively and permanently eliminate the squeaking in the Brimnes drawers? Are there any special materials or techniques that have proven helpful without having to remove or replace the entire set of runners? I look forward to your tips and experiences so I can finally get rid of the noise.
K
Keatondra27 Feb 2023 11:27Hi, I’m familiar with your problem, especially with the Brimnes drawers, where it’s usually the metal runners combined with the plastic sliders that tend to squeak quickly. It’s important to approach this in a somewhat systematic way:
- Fully remove the drawer
- Clean any dirt or dust from the runner tracks, preferably with a dry cloth or brush
- Then treat all moving parts thoroughly with a lubricant suitable for smooth sliding; silicone spray is ideal because it leaves no residue
- Very important: greasy lubricants like WD-40 are not recommended, as they attract dust over time
This often helps to prevent the squeaking in the long term. If the noise persists, also check if any of the plastic sliders are torn or damaged.
- Fully remove the drawer
- Clean any dirt or dust from the runner tracks, preferably with a dry cloth or brush
- Then treat all moving parts thoroughly with a lubricant suitable for smooth sliding; silicone spray is ideal because it leaves no residue
- Very important: greasy lubricants like WD-40 are not recommended, as they attract dust over time
This often helps to prevent the squeaking in the long term. If the noise persists, also check if any of the plastic sliders are torn or damaged.
The squeaking in IKEA Brimnes drawers often results from insufficient lubrication of the metal sliding rails or an accumulation of dust and debris. For a long-lasting solution, I recommend:
- Removing the affected drawer to fully access the rails
- Cleaning off coarse dirt and fine dust with a soft brush or compressed air
- Using a specialized silicone-based dry lubricant, as it does not stick or attract dirt
- Repeatedly sliding the drawer in and out afterwards to distribute the lubricant evenly
Replacing damaged plastic runners is rarely necessary unless there is visible significant damage. It is important to use appropriate lubricants, as regular oil can cause contamination.
- Removing the affected drawer to fully access the rails
- Cleaning off coarse dirt and fine dust with a soft brush or compressed air
- Using a specialized silicone-based dry lubricant, as it does not stick or attract dirt
- Repeatedly sliding the drawer in and out afterwards to distribute the lubricant evenly
Replacing damaged plastic runners is rarely necessary unless there is visible significant damage. It is important to use appropriate lubricants, as regular oil can cause contamination.
Keatondra schrieb:
Very important: greasy lubricants like WD-40 are not really suitable, as they attract dust over time Thank you, I didn’t know that. I was thinking about using WD-40 because I thought it would work quickly.
SETHBLA schrieb:
What helped me with Brimnes was simply rubbing a thin layer of candle wax onto the metal track. That sounds interesting. Would candle wax really be better than silicone spray in the long run?
Which method would be best in terms of durability and cleanliness? Also, I wonder if the guide rails have to be removed to apply the treatment properly, or if a non-professional can apply the care effectively without dismantling them?
Similar topics