Why are the drawers of my newly painted bedside cabinets sticking?

Question

I have just painted my solid wood, dovetail jointed, 3 drawer bedside chests with chalk style paint. I have painted them on the inside too and given them a wax topcoat.
When trying to put the drawers back I can't get the bottom drawer to go in properly. They go so far then jam tightly, and now feel as if they are too big.
Anyone know how I can fix this?
Thanks,
Lynn

Johnchip · Answer

Are you sure it is the right drawer in the right slot?

Karen Hilpisch · Answer

If the paint was water based the wood has probably swollen due to the added moisture content of the wood. Once the wood dries out the drawers should once again fit.

Country Design Home · Answer

Hi Lynn- first make sure that all of the drawers are in the correct spaces. They may all look the same, but they are not quite the same- one could be a bit warped or have a joint swollen from the moisture of the paint and wax. Also, tap together all the drawer joints to make sure that they are flush and even all the way around. If that doesn't work, then you can try a couple of things before you have to start sanding/cutting. Rub down all the outside edges with steel wool to remove any excess paint or wax. Do the same to the inside runners on the dresser where the drawer should fit. If that doesn't work, then try running candle wax along the runners of the drawer, which will allow it to glide more smoothly. If If none of that works, then a little sanding might do the trick. Good luck!

Lindy · Answer

Yes this happened to me-
The drawers looked the same, but sure weren't!  A couple of  mm's can make a difference it seems.  Otherwise, try rubbing soap or a wax candle along the runners.

Carol · Answer

Other HT's have given good advice here.  Be sure to let us know what worked for you.  Your units sound lovely.

Rosy · Answer

Drawers may not be in correct place or may have swelled some. Try letting them dry out a little more. I use spray lemon pledge on the bottom of my drawers and on the runners on the inside of the cabinets and makes them glide much smoother.

Darla · Answer

That has happened to me when I either put the paint on too thick or its still not dry.

Sandra Allen · Answer

If, after you rearrange them, they still stick a little...use some cheap soap and rub them on the runners. It always helps!!

G · Answer

Try rubbing some candle wax in the track

Carey · Answer

Candle wax on the track and anywhere that the drawer appears to be dragging.  The paint may have enlarged the drawer just enough to rub on the top of the sides or on the drawer sides themselves. If that is the case, you should be able to see where they touch as you push it in.  Rearranging the drawers would also be my FIRST effort.  They can look exactly the same but still be just a tad different and that can cause bid trouble. My husband always wrote on the bottom of the drawer the placement of it for that reason.

Carey · Answer

Well Lynn, it sounds like you found the solution that worked.  Water based paints always add moisture to bare wood and that can be a recipe for this kind of swelling.  One thing that I accidentally discovered was that when I was trying to get a dresser sanded really smooth and it had become more work that I was bargaining for, I remembered wasching a man refinish his rifle butt when I was a teenager.  He moistened the wood and it raised the grain then he would hold it over a hot stove burner to raise the grain and then sand it smooth.  I couldn't hold the dresser over a burner, so I thought, what is the next best thing?  An iron!  I moistened the top of the dresser, then Ironed it smooth. I was amazed that it came out so smooth that it was amazing!  Nicest finish ever! and easy to boot!!!!

Elaine Gillis · Answer

Did you find a solution as I am having same problem. Used a fusion paint too

Melissa June Hobbs · Answer

I have read all these comments thank you and have swapped my drawers as they clearly were in the wrong places. Then I smudged Vaseline around the drawer sliders and indents in the drawers where the drawers slide across the sliders. They now work like a dream!

Scott Lane · Answer

Why is it when I remove to hinges from a cabinet to paint the cabinet the doors never fit properly once the hinges have been reinstalled. I learned to mark the position of each hinge before I remove them.

Why are the drawers of my newly painted bedside cabinets sticking?

Suggested Project Book

13 Crazy Fun Yard Games Your Family Will Flip for This Summer

Other

More

Why are the drawers of my newly painted bedside cabinets sticking?

Suggested Project Book