Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

Old pine wood drawers/dresser, drawers difficult to slide, how can I improve this?

  • 27-02-2026 10:40PM
    #1
    GalaxyRyder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 604 ✭✭✭


    Could I actually attach runners or rails to make them easy to slide, or is that way too much work?

    Paraffin wax or beeswax may be an option?

    Has anyone successfully loosened up these drawers to make them more user friendly?



Comments

  • #2
    Tree
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 4,876 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tree


    Wax should help. A plain candle is as good as anything, rub it along the sides and the rail and open and close it a few times. You probably can't add a new rail without having to rebuild the drawers to make room



  • #3
    GalaxyRyder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 604 ✭✭✭GalaxyRyder


    I applied parafine wax on a couple drawers, really improved things, but it's actual labour intensive to do with so many drawers (I've done it with two or three only).

    www.amazon.ie/gp/product/B00DE2RUMC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1OE756QMNXDYS&psc=1

    Apparently this de-friction tape is effective, anyone have experience with it?



  • #4
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 55,566 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    i'm not sure how going to the trouble of ordering and waiting for a delivery from amazon can be less work than rubbing some candlewax on some drawers can be?

    how long per drawer did it take on the ones you did?



  • #5
    GalaxyRyder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 604 ✭✭✭GalaxyRyder


    It would definitely be easier to apply.

    Remove the drawer, sand it lightly, ensure all dust is gone.

    Coat each side of the rail in wax (three sides), then repeat for the drawer (both sides), takes about 15 to 20 minutes of elbow grease, plus I'm unsure how often I'd have to repeat that?

    I've done three drawers so far, could potentially have about 14 more to go?



Advertisement
Advertisement