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How to fill cabinet hole & install a new handle?

hello everyone! i’m new to renovations here so please bear with me.

i need to fill these holes on my cabinet door, because i bought a new handle and theyre smaller than these.

whats the best way to fill these? the exterior of this cabinet door is very glossy and smooth (theyre even kinda reflective). so i’m not sure how to fill & repaint those!

if you could suggest any products (including sand paper etc cos i have nothing). that would be great! thank you so so much!

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Nailbag

Hi @shaz26

Both @EricL and @Dave-1 have already offered a couple of great suggestions. Another to consider is using this Poly Fine Gloss Filler which actually leaves a gloss finish that may require no further colouring?

Apply some painters tape to the front side, then tap something stiff on top to prevent the filler from pressing through. Then fill the backside with the Poly product and smooth off with a putty knife. Then carefully wipe around the hole of any marks.

Nailbag

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EricL

Hello @shaz26

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about filling in your door handles.

Generally, if you had a standard timber door, I would recommend Parfix 500g Ready To Use Multipurpose Filler to fill in the holes. Once the filler cures you can sand it down and then spray paint the surface in the same colour. One of the things that might hold you back is the cover of the door itself. If it is vacum laminated, you won't be able to paint the door as paint does not adhere very well to laminated surfaces.

However, if it is a 2-pac painted door, it will be extremely difficult to match the colour and finish of the door. I propose doing a close investigation as to what type of covering your door has.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Morning @shaz26

I have often thought about this type of issue, When I was drilling handles for my kitchen years ago I was very concious of what would I do if I messed it up. That shiny surface tends to make me think its a vacummed door covering so will be hard to fill and cover without it being noticable.

However the two ideas (make that three) I have thought of in the past and just now 🙂 may help you out.

The first idea

Is to mount a plate over both the holes, Not a great look but could be matched with the style of the new handles maybe.

The second idea

I had was to insert into the existing hole some dowel Porta 6 x 6mm 1.2m Clear Pine Dowel (you just need to the right size plus allow for glue)

cut square end. Then maybe using an undercoat of white and ontop a white styled nailpolish that matches your door. It will be noticiable but im heading towards a nice looking repair that shows up as a round circle on the door. You could practice on the dowel first before inserting to see if the colour match works.

Third idea

Using something like these Hafele 5mm Hole Cover Caps - 100 Pack to insert into the holes.

Also Surface Gard 8mm Clear Round Rubber Bumper - 25 Pieces So you will notice it but it will be a clear line.

Least favorite selection Taskmaster 10mm White Screw Caps - 100 Pack

I think it will be hard to fill and colour/paint because of the makeup of the door. Thats why I am suggesting to cover and "look" tidy.

Extra idea - Use one of the holes for your new handle, will leave only one hole to cover.

Dave

Dave-1

Morning @shaz26

Just came across another idea from the Big blue F social media place, cant steal the pic as its someones 🙂 But you know those ceramic coloured draw knobs? the ones that look moroccan? How about picking one or two that may match the kitchen and using the handle to cover the existing hole?

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @shaz26

Nailbag

shaz26

amazing thank you so much everyone for the replies!! appreciate it.

i’m probably gonna try the gloss filler or the multipurpose filler first, and work my way from there.

one more question - i just got my new handles and turn out theyre only 0.5cm off the existing holes. should i cover the hole with filler first, then redrill it? or should i drill first, put the handle then fill the excess hole with filler?

also - any recommendations on drills is appreciated!!

Dave-1

Afternoon @shaz26

Wooooo 🙂 ok I have another idea that may get you out of trouble.

Depends on how long those screws for the handles go through the door?

If they are long enough then you could use a black flat washer between the door handle and door. Its 5mm differance between the hole spacing so you could in theory cover the second hole with the edge of the washer? Pinnacle M8 Black Flat Washer - 12 Pack You just need to make sure the center hole is smaller then the diameter of the handle 🙂 Then no filling would be needed!

Dave

EricL

Hi @shaz26

That's a fantastic suggestion from @Dave-1. But if you still decide to drill just have a look at this guide - How to choose the right drill for the job. In regards to the drill bit, make sure to choose a good quality one such as Kango or Full Boar brand.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

shaz26

thank you so much for all your help!

in the end, i used the Poly Fine Gloss Filler. and then drill holes on top of it.

now my problem is…the holes are not straight. see photo.

is there any tool that can help me make sure the holes are straight? (apologies again for the newbie question!!)

thank you so much!

Dave-1

Good Morning @shaz26

Lining up holes can be a pain, I do rememner my stress when I was doing the same. 😕

You could remove the handle, and drillout the existing holes a little bigger (maybe one drill size up to start with) that way you get "play" in the handle when you go to tighten them up. If you do both holes you willhave a lot more adjustment angle then one bigger hole.

Description - The holes as is lock the handle into the angle it is.

When you drill them out you can then have sideways twist movement (grab handle and give it a gentle twist) that may give you enough leaway to make it vertical. Depending on the size of the base of the handle you could drill the holes a second step larger but caution as you need something for the handle to compress up to when you tighten the nuts.

Dave

JacobZ

Hi @shaz26,

If you can fill the holes and drill new ones, I'd suggest using a Combination Square to mark the screw locations.

You can set the ruler to the distance from the edge of the cabinet door where you want your screws to go. Once the ruler is set, place your pencil in the groove at the end of the ruler and run the square along the edge of the door to mark a perfectly parallel line.

Put two lines across this parallel line to create a cross indicating the location to drill.

Do this on both the front and the back of the door. You can use the square to trace the line from the front of the door to the back of the door to ensure they line up perfectly.

Once the locations are marked, start drilling through the back of the door but stop after about 5mm. Change over to the front of the door and drill through. The holes will connect up and you will have perfectly lined up holes for your handles.

Let me know if you require any further explanation.

Jacob

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