ᐅ How can I lubricate IKEA BESTA drawers to improve their movement?
Created on: 28 Jul 2018 08:12
P
petrit47
Hello everyone,
I have an issue with my IKEA Besta drawers: they no longer slide as smoothly as they did initially, which makes opening and closing quite difficult. I suspect it would help to lubricate the drawer slides somehow, but I’m unsure which oil or lubricant is best to use since I don’t want to damage anything.
My questions are:
- Which oil or lubricant is most suitable for the metal and plastic components of the Besta drawer slides?
- What is the best method for applying the lubricant to avoid stains or build-up of dirt?
- Do I need to fully remove the drawers, or is it enough to lubricate them while still installed?
I would really appreciate any advice or experience you might have to help my Besta drawers run smoothly again without having to remove or replace them. Thanks in advance!
I have an issue with my IKEA Besta drawers: they no longer slide as smoothly as they did initially, which makes opening and closing quite difficult. I suspect it would help to lubricate the drawer slides somehow, but I’m unsure which oil or lubricant is best to use since I don’t want to damage anything.
My questions are:
- Which oil or lubricant is most suitable for the metal and plastic components of the Besta drawer slides?
- What is the best method for applying the lubricant to avoid stains or build-up of dirt?
- Do I need to fully remove the drawers, or is it enough to lubricate them while still installed?
I would really appreciate any advice or experience you might have to help my Besta drawers run smoothly again without having to remove or replace them. Thanks in advance!
MANUEL schrieb:
Use silicone spray, it works well on IKEA drawers.+1, exactly.
And as an extra tip: After applying, give it some time and avoid moving the drawer too vigorously, otherwise the spray might spread unevenly. It’s best to make several gentle movements.
Oh, and don’t worry about the spray smell — it fades quickly. Then you’ll enjoy quiet, smooth operation again!
Hello petrit47,
I would like to add that not only the lubricant is important, but also regular maintenance.
The running rails of Besta drawers often use a combination of ball cages for smooth movement, which can become dry or dirty during use and then start to stick.
My approach:
- Remove the drawer
- Clean with compressed air (or with a brush and a damp cloth)
- Then treat with a suitable lubricant. I prefer a PTFE spray because it simulates a dry bearing and does not stick.
- Important: Do not use too much spray – a thin layer is completely sufficient.
- If there is a soft-close mechanism, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions: sometimes these contain dampers that must not be oiled!
A small note: Some recommend graphite powder, which is also very good, but it can produce dust and is not quite as clean.
How have you approached this so far? Have you ever used any lubricant?
I would like to add that not only the lubricant is important, but also regular maintenance.
The running rails of Besta drawers often use a combination of ball cages for smooth movement, which can become dry or dirty during use and then start to stick.
My approach:
- Remove the drawer
- Clean with compressed air (or with a brush and a damp cloth)
- Then treat with a suitable lubricant. I prefer a PTFE spray because it simulates a dry bearing and does not stick.
- Important: Do not use too much spray – a thin layer is completely sufficient.
- If there is a soft-close mechanism, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions: sometimes these contain dampers that must not be oiled!
A small note: Some recommend graphite powder, which is also very good, but it can produce dust and is not quite as clean.
How have you approached this so far? Have you ever used any lubricant?
Hello petrit47,
I completely understand how frustrating sticking drawers can be – it’s really annoying in everyday use. I think it’s great that you’re gathering detailed information instead of just applying something randomly.
That happened to me as well – I was too impatient at the time and used the wrong oil. The result was that the soft-close function worked significantly worse.
My advice from experience: choose a neutral silicone spray, apply it sparingly, and test it first on a less important drawer. This way, you can assess how it affects the operation and avoid frustration. Good luck!
I completely understand how frustrating sticking drawers can be – it’s really annoying in everyday use. I think it’s great that you’re gathering detailed information instead of just applying something randomly.
poted schrieb:
If there's a soft-close mechanism, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions: sometimes these contain dampers that must not be oiled!
That happened to me as well – I was too impatient at the time and used the wrong oil. The result was that the soft-close function worked significantly worse.
My advice from experience: choose a neutral silicone spray, apply it sparingly, and test it first on a less important drawer. This way, you can assess how it affects the operation and avoid frustration. Good luck!
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