ᐅ How long does it take to retrofit soft-close mechanisms on IKEA PLATSA units?

Good morning everyone,

I’m currently planning to retrofit soft-close mechanisms for my IKEA Platsa cabinets and wanted to ask the community:
How long does it usually take to retrofit soft-close on IKEA Platsa cabinets if you have some basic DIY skills and all necessary parts are ready?
I’m referring to the entire process, including removing the cabinet doors, adjusting the hinges, installing the soft-close mechanism, and fine-tuning everything until it works properly.
Are there any hidden difficulties or particularly time-consuming steps that I should be aware of in advance?
I would greatly appreciate rough time estimates from those who have already done this, so I can better plan my schedule.

Normally, retrofitting soft-close on IKEA PLATSA takes about 30 to 45 minutes per door when you have the right tools and follow the instructions carefully.
The hinges do not need to be removed; the soft-close inserts simply snap onto the hinges and are then adjusted. Hidden difficulties are rare.

As an addition: Most of the time during the retrofit is spent precisely adjusting the soft-close mechanism.
If the doors are not perfectly square or already slightly sagging, the time required increases.
And if you have tools like a screwdriver, possibly a small Allen key, and a spirit level ready, everything goes much more efficiently.
I would plan about 2 to 3 hours for a complete PLATSA cabinet with 2 to 4 doors to properly and neatly tune everything.

targau51 schrieb:
Most of the time during the retrofit is spent fine-tuning the soft-close mechanism.

That is correct. In terms of time, the following can be noted:
- Removing doors takes about 5 minutes per door.
- Installing the soft-close mechanism usually takes around 10 minutes per door, since it is mostly pressed on and fixed in place.
- Adjustment and fine-tuning take approximately 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the desired precision.

Taking these steps into account, you should expect about 25 to 35 minutes per door. It is important that the hinges are in good condition, as worn hinges make adjustment more difficult and take additional time.

gekira schrieb:
It is important that the hinges are in good condition, as worn hinges make adjustments more difficult and time-consuming.

I would also like to emphasize this point.
If there are old or stretched hinges, the effort can increase significantly because additional adjustments or even part replacements may be necessary.
With a new or well-maintained PLATSA system without damage, retrofitting soft-close should be possible within the described time frame without any issues.