How to Take Apart Metal Cabinets

Taking apart metal cabinets, whether for cleaning, repairing or replacing them, can seem like a daunting task. However, with some basic tools and the right techniques, it’s easier than you think. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to fully disassemble metal cabinets with step-by-step instructions.

Preparation

Before taking apart any cabinet, you’ll want to do some preparatory work to make the process smoother.

Clear Out the Cabinet Contents

First, remove everything stored inside the cabinet. Taking out all shelves, drawers, contents, etc. will give you full access to the cabinet and make it lighter to work with.

Gather the Proper Tools

These tools will likely be needed:

• Flathead and Philips screwdrivers
• Hammer
• Pry bar
• Pliers
• Safety glasses
• Work gloves

Make sure you have the right screwdriver heads to remove the screws. The most common are likely flathead or Philips head, but some cabinets use specialty screws like Torx or Allen heads.

Protect Surrounding Areas

Lay down drop cloths or tarps below the cabinet and nearby walls. This will protect floors and surfaces from damage as you disassemble it. You may also want cardboard to lay cabinet parts on.

Take Pictures Before Taking Apart

Photos of the fully assembled cabinet will be helpful to reference when putting it back together. Focus on how parts connect, the locations of screws, etc.

Dismantling the Cabinet Box

With preparations complete, it’s time to start taking the cabinet apart. We’ll go through this process section-by-section.

Removing Doors and Drawers

The doors and drawers are usually the first components to remove.

For doors:

• Open each door and locate the hinge screws. There are typically 2-3 per hinge.
• Use a screwdriver to remove all hinge screws.
• Tip: Leave the door loosely connected to the last hinge so it doesn’t fall off unexpectedly.
• Once all hinges are disconnected, lift the door off and set aside.
• Repeat for each door. Label doors if needed to ensure proper reinstallation later.

For drawers:

• Pull the drawer completely out.
• On each side, unscrew the small bracket connecting it to the drawer slides.
• Lift the drawer up and off the extended slides.
• Repeat for every drawer.

Detaching the Cabinet Back Panel

The back panel of the cabinet is often held on with screws or special fasteners around the edges.

• Lay the cabinet on its front carefully. Use a blanket or foam to avoid scratches.
• Locate and remove any screws going through the back into the side panels or top/bottom.
• Look for plastic panel clips that may be holding the back on. Carefully pry these off with a flathead screwdriver.
• With all fasteners removed, lift off the back panel.

Removing Shelves

Shelves are typically held in with shelf clips, screws or a rail system.

For shelf clips:

• Bend each clip outwards to release the shelf edge.
• Pull the shelf out of the cabinet.

For screwed on shelves:

• From inside the cabinet, unscrew any screws going into the shelf edges.
• Take the shelf out.

For rail systems:

• Look for screws or clips holding the side rails in. Remove these to detach the rails.
• Lift the shelf edges out of the slots in the rails.

Take note of the shelf positions/spacing for reassembly later.

Detaching the Top Panel

With the cabinet now mostly emptied, you can detach the top:

• Remove any obvious screws from inside going up into the top panel.
• Run a thin putty knife or pry bar along the inside seam where the top meets sides/back. This releases any glue or caulking.
• Wedge the pry bar into the seam to gently pop the top free.
• Lift off the detached top panel.

Removing the Bottom Panel

The bottom detaches much like the top:

• Remove any screws from inside going into the bottom.
• Pry along the bottom seam with a putty knife to break adhesive/caulk seal.
• Use pry bar to pop bottom free. Lift off.

Separating the Sides

With the top, bottom, and back removed, you can now take off the side panels:

• Lay the cabinet on its back.
• Look for screws through the sides into the front frame/face frame. Remove these.
• If joined with glue or nails, use a prying tool to work the sides loose, taking care not to damage the wood.
• Detach one side panel. You may need to rock it back and forth to break the seal.
• Flip cabinet over and detach second side the same way.

Removing the Face Frame

The face frame is the front structure that surrounds the cabinet opening. It is often screwed or nailed on.

• With cabinet sides removed, lay face frame front down.
• Remove any obvious screws going into the frame from the cabinet sides.
• Use pry bar and hammer to gently work front frame loose from box.

With the face frame taken off, you now have fully dismantled the cabinet box into individual panels.

Taking Apart Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors have a few components to disassemble.

Detaching Door Panels

There are a few main ways that cabinet door panels are held in place.

For glued panels:

• Scrape away excess glue with a putty knife.
• Use a heat gun to warm and soften the glue. This helps separate the panels.
• Wedge a pry bar or putty knife into the seams to pop the door apart. Go slowly to avoid damaging wood.

For grooved panels:

• The panels slide into grooves routed into the door’s inner frame.
• Slide the panels out of the grooves. A gentle tap with a wood block may help.

For doweled panels:

• Dowels are round wood pins that fit into holes drilled in the door frame and panels.
• Hold the door vertically on its side.
• Use a wood block to sharply tap the edge of inner panel upwards. This will release the dowels.
• Rotate and repeat on all sides until panel is freed.

Removing Door Glass

Some cabinet doors have a glass panel held in with molding strips.

• Look for finish nails or small screws to remove.
• Carefully pry molding off with a thin flathead screwdriver.
• The glass panel should lift out easily once molding is detached.

Dismantling Drawers

Drawers have a few main components to take apart.

Detaching the Drawer Front

The drawer front detaches from the drawer box in a few ways:

Screwed on fronts:

• Remove any obvious screws going through the front into the sides, top or bottom.
• The front should then easily pull off.

Glued fronts:

• Scrape excess dried glue with a putty knife.
• Carefully pry/wedge front panel off with a flathead screwdriver.

Doweled fronts:

• Sharply rap the joint with a wood block to release the dowel pins.
• Press front panel off.

Removing Drawer Slides

To detach drawer slides:

• Extend slides fully from cabinet side walls.
• Locate small release tabs and press in while pulling slide off.
• For undermount slides, remove any front and rear bracket screws.

Taking Apart Drawer Box

With front detached, take apart the drawer box:

• Remove any screws going through bottom into sides, front, or back.
• Knock out dowels with a wood block if used.
• Pry apart with flathead screwdriver.
• Knock box apart by tapping sides with hammer if needed.

With the steps above, your metal cabinet should now be fully disassembled into individual components for cleaning, repair, refinishing, or replacement.

Reassembling the Cabinet

The process for putting a metal cabinet back together is essentially reverse of taking it apart. Here are some tips for proper reassembly:

• Review photos taken before disassembly to ensure original positioning.
• Replace any worn hardware, damaged components before reinstalling.
• Fasten panels, frames, and doors loosely at first. Tighten once aligned properly.
• Use wood glue for panels, attaching top/bottom, face frames for strength.
• Make sure doors and drawers are level, open/close smoothly. Adjust if needed.
• Replace shelf clips, slides, hinges in original locations.

Take care when reassembling to ensure the cabinet retains its functionality and appearance. Working methodically, using original hardware, and taking time to adjust components will allow proper reassembly.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Though not overly complex, removing metal cabinets can involve some frustrations. Here are solutions to some common issues:

Screws won’t budge

• Set the screwdriver properly into the screw head and apply firm pressure while turning.
• Tap the screwdriver with a hammer to help loosen stuck screws.
• Use a lubricant like WD-40 to penetrate and loosen the screw. Let it soak in for 5-10 minutes before trying again.

Hinge pins won’t release doors

• Wedge a flathead screwdriver into the hinge knuckle and tap firmly to knock the pin up.
• Use pliers to grip and wiggle the pin up and out.

Glued panels won’t separate

• Allow more time for a heat gun to warm and soften the adhesive.
• Tap wedges in progressively deeper along the length of each seam.
• If needed, use a reciprocating saw to carefully cut the panel free.

Drawer fronts won’t come off

• Ensure all screws have been fully removed.
• Tap wedges in deeply and evenly on all sides of drawer front.
• Use a block of wood to sharply rap the panel where it meets sides.

With some patience and the right techniques, getting metal cabinets apart and back together is very manageable. Follow these steps to safely disassemble components for cleaning, repairing or replacing your cabinetry.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taking Apart Metal Cabinets

Taking apart metal cabinets may seem complicated, but these common questions can help clarify the process:

Do I need any special tools to disassemble a metal cabinet?

You can disassemble most metal cabinets with common hand tools like screwdrivers, pliers, pry bars, and a hammer. The main specialty tools that may help are a heat gun and putty knives for loosening glued panels.

How do I remove old caulking or glue before taking cabinets apart?

Use a putty knife, chisel, or scraper to gently pry up and peel away any dried caulk, glue or paint sealing panels together. Go slowly to avoid gouging surfaces. Heat guns also soften old adhesive.

Should I label cabinet parts before taking them apart?

Yes, labeling before disassembly is highly recommended. Use sticky notes or masking tape to identify doors, drawers, shelves, and sides so you can properly reassemble later. Take detailed photos too.

What is the best way to detach glued cabinet panels?

Heating glued joints with a heat gun softens the adhesive so panels can be gently pried or wedged apart. Take care not to overheat and damage wood. Go slowly and equally on all sides.

How do I remove old rusty screws from a metal cabinet?

Penetrating lubricants like WD-40 help loosen stubborn screws. Let them soak 5+ minutes before trying to unscrew. Firmly push the screwdriver into the screw head and turn, tapping it if needed.

Can I reassemble cabinet components with new hardware?

Yes, you can substitute with newer or stronger hardware like screws, hinges, and shelf clips. Using original hardware positions often works best though.

What’s the best way to ensure cabinets go back together properly?

Detailed photos of the original assembled cabinet are extremely helpful. Note screw positions, door alignments, etc. Test fit parts loosely first before tightening everything down.

Do I need to use glue when reassembling cabinets?

Glue creates stronger bonds on main joints like tops, bottoms, and face frames. Use wood glue or construction adhesive on these key areas unless the cabinet was fully screwed originally.

Disassembling metal cabinets may appear daunting, but breaking the process down into individual steps makes it very manageable. Keep these tips in mind to smoothly take apart and rebuild cabinets.

Let me know if you have any other questions!