Revitalizing your wood door brings back its original beauty and protects it for years to come. Refinishing a wood door involves preparing the surface and applying a new protective coating.
Before starting, gather the necessary supplies. While the full list depends on the specific finish you choose, common items often include:
- Sandpaper in various grits (e.g., coarse, medium, fine)
- Stripper (if removing old finish)
- Scrapers and putty knives
- Protective gear (gloves, eye protection, mask)
- Cleaning supplies (rags, mineral spirits or denatured alcohol)
- Wood filler (for repairs)
- Primer or Sealer (optional, depending on finish)
- Applicators (brushes, rollers, sprayers)
- Your chosen Finish (varnish, paint, polyurethane, etc.)
- Sawhorses or a stable workspace
What Finish Should You Use?
Choosing the right finish is crucial for durability and appearance. Considerations include whether the door is interior or exterior, the desired look (natural wood grain, solid color), and traffic levels. Options range from clear varnishes and polyurethanes that highlight the wood, to paints offering endless color possibilities. Exterior doors require finishes with UV protection and weather resistance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Refinishing a Wood Door
Follow these steps for a successful refinishing project:
Step #1: Remove the Door
Make the process much easier by taking the door off its hinges. This allows you to work on a flat surface and access all edges and sides comfortably. Place the door on sawhorses in a well-ventilated area.
Step #2: Remove the Door Hardware
Carefully detach all hardware, including knobs, hinges, latches, and any decorative elements. Keep the hardware together and organized, perhaps in a labeled bag, to make reinstallation simple.
Step #3: Sand the Door
This is a critical step for preparing the surface.
- If the old finish is damaged or you want to change the color significantly, you may need to strip it first.
- Sanding removes old finish (if not stripped), smooths imperfections, and creates a surface the new finish can adhere to.
- Start with a coarser grit sandpaper (e.g., 80 or 100 grit) to remove the bulk of the old finish or smooth rough areas.
- Progress through medium grits (e.g., 120, 150 grit) to remove sanding marks.
- Finish with a fine grit (e.g., 180 or 220 grit) for a smooth surface ready for finishing.
| Sanding Grit | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Coarse | Removing old finish, heavy imperfections |
| Medium | Smoothing out scratches from coarse grit |
| Fine | Final smoothing before finishing |
Ensure you sand with the grain of the wood. After sanding, thoroughly clean the door surface to remove all dust.
Step #4: Seal the Door Edges
Sealing the end grain on the top and bottom edges is important, especially for exterior doors or doors in high-moisture areas. End grain is more porous and can absorb moisture, leading to swelling or cracking. Use a suitable sealer or even the finish itself, applying a coat specifically to these edges before applying the main finish to the faces.
Step #5: Apply Finish
Now comes the finishing touch.
- Ensure the door is completely clean and free of dust.
- Apply the finish according to the product manufacturer's instructions. This might involve using a brush, roller, or sprayer.
- Apply thin, even coats. Avoid drips and runs.
- Allow sufficient drying time between coats as recommended by the product.
- Lightly sand between coats with a very fine grit (e.g., 220 or 320 grit) if the finish requires it to ensure a smooth subsequent coat.
- Apply the recommended number of coats for durability.
Step #6: Reinstall Door Hardware
Once the final coat of finish has fully cured (check product instructions for cure time, which is often longer than drying time), carefully reattach all the door hardware that you removed in Step #2.
