How can I solve this real big issue when Ikea is having hole plugs, or hole covers, or hole caps, only in black? My billys are the birch ones, and the Faktum only comes in white.
any of you having any hack-idea?
~ jo
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Hacker Help: Problems with holes
How can I solve this real big issue when Ikea is having hole plugs, or hole covers, or hole caps, only in black? My billys are the birch ones, and the Faktum only comes in white.
any of you having any hack-idea?
~ jo
17 comments:
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Why not buy some contact paper that matches the look of your furniture. Use a hole punch to make the requisite round stickers and apply them to the back of the plug covers.
ReplyDeleteOr make the round sticker, as suggested, and apply the directly over your holes without any plugs.
ReplyDeleteI used to work at a print shop, and we used to do this to hide seams in wooden picture frames, so it might help your disguise. Get some shoe polish of the same colour as the furniture. Use a small golf tee or similar item to apply it to the inside of the hole, making it less visable.
ReplyDeleteIf it's white then perhaps white silicon could work, but i think white silicon is whiter than the bookcases, but i'm not sure
ReplyDeleteJust buy hole covers in the correct color at the hardware store, what's the problem?
ReplyDeleteThe solution to your problem is at the next hardware store. Ask for wood filler, grain filler or wood putty. Different names for the same thing. They are available in all colors so you should not have any problems getting the right one.
ReplyDeleteGreat great question.
ReplyDeleteI've tried wood putty - doesn't work because the texture and color is so different from the IKEA surface foils.
Stickers create unsightly seams...
But "hole covers!" I basically live in a hardware store, and I've never seen those. I have nine Billy's, so I'll be buying a hell of a lot of them if I can find them. This made me very excited, but made me wonder why IKEA doesn't sell them?
I've used these "flat head plugs" from http://www.craftparts.com/buttons-and-plugs-c-162.html to fill holes in a project I did. For IKEA holes you might need to drill a slightly bigger hole (metric vs. inches) but these fit easily without glue if you use a rubber mallet.
ReplyDeleteThey even have "side grain plugs" if you need a wood grain to show though stain.
@billyhacker
ReplyDeleteikea doesn't sell them, at least not in italy. you can ask at the customer corner to have some, but they'll be black. call it antracite or coal or dark grey, or any color you like, but white.
silicon or any other filler won't be good, if in the future you'll try to change your configuration.
same if you're drilling a bigger hole: all of your former ikea parts won't fit anymore.
i did ask a friend of mine who's in the hardware business, but he said no light colour exists...
jo
What about getting the black plugs and giving them a few light dustings of spray paint? Should be able to get the right color and matte or gloss finish.
ReplyDeleteYou could try making your own plugs from a wood dowel if you can find the right size. If you need to remove them later you can use a drill to pull them out.
ReplyDeleteYou can check out this specialty store Lee Valley Tools (www.leevalley.com). To camoflage the holes look up PVC screw covers and unfinished wood screw covers. To make it fancy, look up ``clavos`` (fancy nails). Maybe you can use these nails with some poster putty and stick them in the holes.
ReplyDeleteOr get a roll of matching melamine edging from the home centre and hole punch some circles, or use one long strip and lightly glue on with craft glue.
Also try googling `veneer screw caps`. I found some self adhesive ones.
Good luck!
I dont have this on hand to check but how about something like a hama (vaktum) bead in cream or even just a paper bead and some very well matched nailvarnish and a steady hand... I did something similar on a much smaller project a while back and it worked quite well. You do have to get busy with a tweaser when you want them out though.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.widgetco.com/hardware/hole-plugs-covers-5mm?gclid=CIn8jO2pxawCFSgaQgod-HfEpw is a site with 5mm hole plugs in many colors
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what is needed. Thanks, Mary!
DeleteG'day Hackers,
ReplyDeleteI have used a set of 'plug cutters' in combination with any offcuts or scrap material with the same finish. They cut a small plug...as the name suggests... like a dowel from the same material as the piece, then its as easy as lining up the grain with that on the project and gluing it in place. (obviously using a plug cutter the appropriate size for the hole)
take a look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YTmBLQm80M4
lots of different brands, great finish!
Lots of 'em here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pro-dec.com/hole-caps