How to remove the front panel from a dishwasher

How to remove the front panel from a dishwasher If you need to remove the front of your dishwasher, be sure to read these instructions. The job is actually quite simple if you know how the decorative panel is attached and what parts need to be removed to remove it. Let's take a closer look at the details.

How is the front part of the door attached?

The dishwasher door panel is held in place by several screws. Pulling hard on the panel is useless; removing it requires untangling the fasteners. But where do you find the fasteners?

The front is screwed to the dishwasher door using special screws under the end.

You can see the mounting screws by opening the dishwasher door and looking at the side. There will be several screws, but not all of them hold the panel in place, only the ones at the top and bottom. Typically the front is secured with four or eight screws, depending on the car model. Once the bolts are unscrewed, you can easily remove the decorative wall.

The number of fasteners will vary depending on the dishwasher model. Some machines have 4 bolts located on the sides, bottom, and top. Other dishwashers have 8 screws located around the entire perimeter of the lid. Therefore, it's important to be careful. removing the door façade

Some dishwasher models have a front panel that's attached not with screws, but with special Velcro and brackets. In this case, you won't even need a screwdriver to remove the decorative panel. You'll need:

unhook the upper part of the facade from the Velcro;
lift the panel up so that the brackets come out of the grooves.

Removing the decorative front panel of a dishwasher is usually straightforward. It's a relatively easy job, taking 5-10 minutes. All you need is a Phillips-head screwdriver and patience.

We select a new facade according to size

A new facade can be ordered even before the old one is removed.. The dimensions of the decorative panel directly depend on the dimensions of the equipment. Built-in dishwashers are typically 45 or 60 cm wide and 82-85 cm high. However, compact dishwashers with a height of 50 or 60 cm are also available.

The size of the decorative panel must precisely match the dishwasher door. If it turns out to be too large during installation, simply cutting it down won't work. Therefore, experts recommend choosing and purchasing a dishwasher first, and only then ordering a door panel to match it. After all, the stated dimensions of the appliance often differ by several millimeters from the actual dimensions, and this is important to take into account. dimensions of PMM facades

The height of the front panel should be just slightly higher than the height of the dishwasher door—just a couple of millimeters. To align the panel flush with the countertop, you'll need to adjust the dishwasher's feet.

The height of a partially integrated dishwasher depends on the size of the control panel, which is located on the door. The sensor must be left exposed, so this must be taken into account. Installing the control panel on a partially integrated dishwasher is even easier than on a fully integrated one.

If you want to change the front while keeping your existing dishwasher, it's simple. Simply order a decorative panel in the exact same dimensions as the one you had before.

Installation of a new facade

Once the dishwasher's front panel has been removed, you can begin installing the new panel. If the replacement is necessary because you're purchasing a different dishwasher, first connect the new appliance to the water supply and sewer system and install it in the niche. For further work, have the following items on hand:

construction tape measure;
level;
drill and drill bit;
screwdriver;
fasteners.

The first step is to secure the dishwasher in the niche. To do this, attach it to the cabinet's side walls and countertop with special brackets. Next, you can work on the front panel, attaching the handle. PMM façade installation diagram

The handle is attached to the front of the façade, at the top. First, a hole is made for the screw – the diameter should be smaller than the screw itself. Then, the handle is secured to the decorative panel with a suitable screw.

Next, you need to calculate the distance between the decorative panel mounting points. The panel edges should be flush with the adjacent kitchen cabinets. Take a tape measure and measure:

the gap between the countertop and the front of the nearest cabinet;
distance from the top hinge of the cabinet door to the countertop.

Then, subtract the first value from the second. This will give you the distance where the top brackets for the dishwasher's decorative front panel should be located. Don't drill the door right away; be sure to double-check everything beforehand. How to install a PMM facade

Once you've calculated the distance, use the mounting template, which usually comes with your built-in dishwasher. Tape it to the inside of the front panel at the desired location. Mark the drilling locations. Place the panel against the dishwasher door, ensuring that the panel sits flush.

Then take a drill with a drill bit of the required diameter. The holes for the fasteners should only go through 3/4 of the thickness of the facade; there is no need to make them through and through. It is possible to do without drilling at all, in which case the screws are screwed directly into the MDF.

Next, you can begin attaching the dishwasher door panel. Screw in the screws one at a time, first the top two, then the bottom two. The screws should be included with your built-in dishwasher. It's also a good idea to waterproof the countertop—this will extend the life of the cabinet.

After installing the front panel, check whether it fits tightly to the dishwasher, whether it is securely fixed, and whether there is any interference when opening/closing the door.

If you miscalculate, you'll notice that the decorative panel hits the bottom of the dishwasher when you open it. In this case, you'll need to create a small gap in the base (equal to the thickness of the front panel plus 2-3 mm). This method is especially suitable when adjusting the dishwasher's level by adjusting the feet isn't possible.

As mentioned earlier, some dishwasher models have a door panel attached with Velcro and brackets. This makes installation even easier. First, insert the tabs into the holes, then attach the decorative panel to the dishwasher door.