DIY Network

Removing Cabinet Doors From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-406F

Homeowners Bill and Wendy Camp are having a little problem with their home office. They don’t have one! The couple has always wanted their formal dining room turned in to a study. They have torn out the old wallpaper and carpet, but still need help to make the room private and practical. While Bill is away on a business trip, the DIY to the Rescue crew is going to help Wendy with some do-it-yourself tricks that are both beautiful and practical. Bookshelves, new doors for privacy and overhead lighting are on tap for this home office.

Lackluster dining room/office

A smart study with new bookshelves, doors and lighting.

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Figure A

The Camps currently have closed off china cabinets in their dining room (figure A). To make the cabinets more suitable for a library or study, the doors, hardware and hinges need to be removed. When that is complete, there will be holes that must be filled with wood putty. Once the putty is sanded and the cabinets are painted, trim will be added to complete the shelves.

Materials:

Screwdriver
Putty knife
Wood putty

	Figure B
	Figure C

Cabinet Door Removal

1. Using a screwdriver, take out the screws holding the doors to the hinges (figure B), being careful to hold the door tightly so when it releases it doesn’t fall or bang into the cabinets.

2. Remove the hinges from the cabinets.

3. With a putty knife, fill the holes left by the hinges with wood putty (figure C).

4. Make sure this is as flush to the wood surface as possible.

5. Once dry, sand the wood putty to make smooth.

	Figure D
	Figure E

Trim Installation

1. Measure the opening in the cabinets and mark the back side of the trim to be used.

2. Using a compound miter saw or miter box, carefully cut the angles, usually 45 degrees, which will need to match up at the corners of the cabinet opening (figure D).

3. Once the pieces are cut, use a finish nailer or hammer and finish nails to attach the trim around the opening (figure E).

4. A nail punch may be necessary to hammer in the finish nails far enough and not to damage the trim with the hammer.

5. Many styles of trim, like dental molding, have deep indentations that make hammering difficult but also hide the nail holes better on the finished product.

Figure F

6. Simply fill the holes with wood putty, being careful to use as little as possible and smooth this with a putty knife...or often your finger works better (figure F).

7. Using a small paint brush of foam painting pad, paint the trim...being sure to get the paint into the hard to reach areas on the first coat. Then, apply a second coat if needed.