How to Fix a Stripped Metal Cabinet Handle

Having a kitchen or bathroom cabinet handle that keeps slipping, won’t stay tight or spins freely in the threaded hole can be annoying and make it difficult to open your cabinets. When the screw holes in metal cabinet handles become enlarged, stripped or damaged over time from repeated use, it allows the handle to wiggle loose or spin without catching the threads. Luckily, there are several effective ways to repair a stripped metal cabinet handle so it remains tightly fastened.

Causes of Stripped Cabinet Handles

Metal cabinet handles become stripped and loose for a few common reasons:

• Repeated use – Simply handling the cabinet doors over many years slowly enlarges the screw holes, wearing down the threads until the handle wiggles free.
• Improper installation – If overtightened during the initial installation, handles can strip out the screw holes immediately.
• Weak metals – Lower quality metals like aluminum and brass thread more easily than stainless steel or zinc.
• Poor fits – Improperly sized handles that don’t match the thread specs can damage the holes.
• Cheap hardware – Low cost handles made overseas often have soft metals and poor quality control.

Knowing the source of the issue can help choose the best remedy. Now let’s look at several great ways to repair a stripped cabinet handle.

Clean Out Stripped Holes

Before attempting to refasten a loose handle, take a few minutes to clean out the enlarged screw holes. This allows your repair solution to adhere properly.

You’ll need:

• Paper towels
• Q-tips, pipe cleaners or small wire brush
• Rubbing alcohol or other mild cleaner

Steps:

1. Remove handle and place on a flat surface.
2. Twist paper towel corner to a point and insert in hole. Twist gently to scrub inside of hole.
3. Use pipe cleaners, Q-tips or a small wire brush to thoroughly clean the threads.
4. Wipe holes clean with paper towels and rubbing alcohol.
5. Allow to fully dry before attempting to reattach handle.

Thoroughly cleaning the screw holes removes built-up grime so your repair solution can form a tight bond inside the stripped holes.

Filling Stripped Holes with Epoxy

Two-part epoxy adhesive is ideal for permanently repairing a loose metal cabinet handle. It flows easily to fill stripped holes and hardens to a steel-like bond.

You’ll need:

• Two-part epoxy adhesive like JB Weld
• Toothpicks for mixing and applying epoxy
• Tape to hold handle in place (optional)

Steps:

1. Clean screw holes thoroughly.
2. Mix a pea-sized amount of each epoxy part on a piece of cardboard with toothpick. Stir to fully blend.
3. Fill each screw hole fully with epoxy using the toothpick.
4. Insert screws partway into holes to imprint the threads in epoxy before it hardens.
5. Allow epoxy to fully cure as instructed on package, usually 24 hours.
6. Once fully hardened, install handle by tightening screws back into place.

The epoxy will permanently bind the handle in place and keep your cabinets frustration-free.

Using Wood Glue and Toothpicks

Ordinary wood glue and toothpicks offer another cheap way to fix a stripped cabinet handle. The toothpicks fill the holes and provide a strong base for the glue to bind to.

You’ll need:

• Wood glue like Elmer’s Carpenters Wood Glue
• Toothpicks
• Paper towels
• Tape (optional)

Steps:

1. Clean screw holes thoroughly. Dry fully with paper towel corner.
2. Break toothpicks into 1-2 inch pieces. Dip in wood glue and insert into holes, packing tightly with tweezers.
3. Squirt additional glue into each hole to coat toothpicks.
4. Wipe away excess glue with paper towel. Insert screws partially to shape threads.
5. Allow glue to dry fully, at least 8 hours. Tape handle in place until dry if needed.
6. Once glue has hardened, insert screws and tighten handle securely.

The wood glue soaked toothpicks will keep the handle wedged tightly in position once cured. Reapply more glue into holes if needed over time.

Filling Holes with Wood Putty

For stripped holes in cabinet doors with a wood shell, ordinary wood filler putty can form a lasting repair. It sands smooth and blends with the wood door finish.

You’ll need:

• Wood filler putty in a coordinating color
• Putty knife
• Sandpaper
• Paper towels and cleaner
• Screwdriver

Steps:

1. Remove handle and clean holes thoroughly. Let dry fully.
2. Pack putty tightly into each screw hole using a putty knife. Overfill slightly.
3. Allow putty to dry completely as instructed on package, usually 30-60 minutes.
4. Sand putty smooth and flush with door surface using fine grit sandpaper.
5. Clean sanded area with towels and mild cleaner. Allow to dry fully.
6. Reattach handle tightly with screwdriver. Add more putty if needed to tighten.

The wood putty will form a tight bond inside the holes and provide a durable base for the handle screws.

Filling Holes with Cabinet Door Repair Kit

For a quick metal handle fix, commercial cabinet door repair kits offer an all-in-one solution. The quickest brands take only 15-30 minutes to set firmly.

You’ll need:

• Instant cabinet door repair kit like EZ Pro or Cabinet Door World
• Clean paper towels

Steps:

1. Thoroughly clean screw holes. Allow to dry fully.
2. Knead repair putty from kit until uniform color.
3. Firmly pack putty into each stripped hole. Overfill slightly.
4. Allow to harden fully for time specified on package, 15-30 minutes usually.
5. Trim any excess hardened putty flush with cabinet surface.
6. Reinstall handle tightly with screwdriver.

These handy kits create a permanent bond in seconds, letting you reinstate your loose handle quickly.

Using Matchsticks to Fill Holes

Simple wooden matchsticks can substitute for toothpicks in a pinch. Just dip and pack into holes like toothpicks, then apply wood glue on top to harden. Allow extra drying time due to their sulfur tips.

Drilling and Restoring Threads

In severe cases with torn out screw holes, you may need to drill out and retap the holes. Use a bit slightly larger than original hole and match tap size to handle screw. This fully renews the thread pattern so handle can be tightly screwed into place.

You’ll need:

• Matching tap and drill bit set for screw size
• Power drill
• Cutting oil or lubricant
• Screwdriver
• Paper towels and cleaner

Steps:

1. Remove handle. Clean holes thoroughly.
2. Place door on solid work surface. Mark hole centers with punch.
3. Lubricate drill bit. Drill straight through marked holes using matched bit.
4. Lubricate tap. Using gentle pressure, turn in tap by hand to cut new full threads.
5. Clean chips and lubricant from holes. Insert screws and tighten handle.
6. Recheck tightness and repeat if handle loosens over time.

Drilling fresh threads is extra work but will permanently solve recurrent handle issues. Take care not to enlarge holes with an oversized bit.

Patching Larger Damaged Areas

For holes torn out much larger than original size, fill the entire area with auto body filler putty before redrilling. Once hardened, it gives solid material for fresh threads to grip.

You’ll need:

• Auto body filler putty
• Putty spreader
• Matched drill and tap set
• Sandpaper

Steps:

1. Enlarge holes slightly with same size bit. This gives putty more grip.
2. Press body filler putty fully into hole and surrounding area. Overfill the hole.
3. Allow putty to harden then sand smooth. This may take hours.
4. Drill fresh pilot hole in center of patch for handle screw.
5. Tap threads with matched tap. Insert screw and check fit.
6. Allow to fully cure for several days before regular use.

Buildup of filler and solid curing time creates a durable foundation for the handle hardware.

Reinforcing with Nut and Washer

For quick temporary fixing, install a washer and nut behind the handle to cinch it tightly in place. The washer spans a larger area to give grip.

You’ll need:

• Flat washer wider than hole
• Matching nut for handle screw
• Screwdriver

Steps:

1. Install handle screw as usual from front. Leave slightly loose.
2. Place wide washer over protruding screw on inside of door.
3. Thread nut on screw and tighten fully to reinforce handle.

This creates a tight metal sandwich that prevents spinning and wobbling. Use thread locker to help secure the nut permanently.

Filling Holes with Screw Anchors

Adding plastic wall anchors behind the screws can grip even severely enlarged or torn out holes. The ridged cones expand as screws tighten to hold firmly.

You’ll need:

• Plastic screw anchors matched to handle screw size
• Power drill and bit
• Screwdriver

Steps:

1. Enlarge existing holes with drill so anchors fit inside.
2. Insert anchors into holes until fully seated at back of door.
3. Attach handle by driving screws into anchors to expand them.
4. Tighten fully so handle is snug against door.

The ridged plastic cones grip inward at the sides as screws tighten to create a surprisingly solid hold. The anchors can be removed if needed.

Preventing Stripped Screws in the Future

To help keep cabinet handles secured for the long haul, consider these tips:

• Tighten screws firmly but not overly when installing.
• Periodically check handles for any loosening. Tighten screws as needed.
• Choose solid metal handles made of zinc, steel or brass over aluminum.
• Match handle threading precisely to cabinet manufacturer specs.
• Use handle screws included in the hardware pack when possible.
• Fill unused screw holes on doors with wood putty to avoid issues later.
• Lubricate screw threads occasionally with wax or silicone spray.

Proper installation and periodic inspection helps avoid loosening issues down the road.

When to Call a Professional

Stripped cabinet hardware holes often can be repaired successfully at home. But for severe damage or complex cabinet construction, a carpenter or cabinet pro may be needed. Seek professional help for:

• Holes torn out much larger than screw size.
• Multiple holes connected into one large damaged area.
• Handles attached through a plastic or laminate cabinet facing.
• Unusual or proprietary cabinet hardware systems.
• Severe threads damage in solid wood doors and cabinets.

A skilled woodworker has additional tools and expertise to undertake extensive repairs if the DIY solutions fail.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fixing Stripped Cabinet Handles

1. What are the best materials to fill stripped screw holes? Two-part epoxy adhesives offer the strongest permanent bond. Wood glue and toothpicks or wood filler putty also work well for minor damage. Commercial cabinet repair kits provide a fast-acting solution.
2. Will super glue work to fix a spinning cabinet handle? No, ordinary super glues like Krazy Glue have limited gap-filling ability and bonding strength. They won’t adhere well or withstand the torque from opening cabinets. Use epoxy or wood glue instead.
3. How do you tighten a cabinet handle with stripped screws? Filling the holes with toothpicks, matchsticks or other material provides a shim that allows tightening. Using larger washer and nut behind the handle can also snug it up.
4. Can stripped metal on a cabinet handle be welded? Technically yes, but welding carries risks of heat damage to the surrounding cabinet door. Epoxy adhesives form bonds strong enough for most handle repairs without welding’s dangers.
5. Why does my kitchen cabinet handle keep getting loose? Frequent opening of cabinets slowly enlarges screw holes over time. Also check that the handle screws properly match the thread specs for your cabinets hardware.
6. Will wood putty work to fix stripped cabinet holes? Yes, wood putty can fill stripped holes in cabinet doors with wood substrate. It sands smooth and blends with the surrounding finish. Allow extra drying time before reinstalling handle.
7. How do you fix a repeated problem with cabinet handles coming loose? Look for reasons the handles are loosening like door misalignment, hinge issues or damage behind the holes. Filling with epoxy or redrilling holes for fresh threads can provide a permanent fix.

Conclusion

Dealing with a spinning, loose cabinet handle can quickly go from nuisance to headache. But in most cases you can easily carry out lasting repairs on your own with common household items. After cleaning out the stripped holes thoroughly, fill them with an adhesive material like epoxy, wood glue and toothpicks or wood filler. For rapid repairs, cabinet door repair kits can restore stripped holes solidly in minutes.

If the screw holes are severely damaged, drill them out and rethread or patch surrounding areas with auto body filler before re-drilling. Properly filled and secured, your kitchen and bathroom cabinet handles should operate smoothly once again, keeping your cabinets neatly closed. With a few basic supplies and techniques, you can tackle minor hardware issues and avoid the hassle of replacing the handles or doors.