Project Difficulty:
Moderate Estimated
Project Time: 1 day
Tools and Materials:
Nails
Hammer
2 sawhorses
Masking tape, marker, and plastic bags for labeling hardware
Scraper
Safety goggles
NIOSH-approved respirator
Electric sander
60-grit and 100-grit sandpaper
Mineral spirits or liquid deglosser
2-inch-wide paintbrush
Paint
Tack cloth
It isn’t always necessary to buy a new door to create a beautiful entrance. If the front door is in good condition, it may need only refinishing or perhaps the addition of a sidelight or two. Consider also replacing exterior light fixtures or adding one or more planters around the entranceway or on the porch steps.
1.
Remove the Door
While it might seem easier or faster to paint a door in place, it is better to remove the door from the hinges and paint it on a horizontal surface. This also makes it easier to sand or scrape off dried paint that may have been causing the door to stick.
To remove the door, insert a nail in the bottom of the hinge and tap the pin out with a hammer (Fig. 1). Tap out all the pins, and then lift the door slightly to free it from the hinges. Lay the door on a workbench or between two sawhorses, and then remove and label all hardware to ease reassembly.
2.
Scrape and Sand the Door
To prepare the door for refinishing, scrape away paint drips and thick paint. If the finish coat has failed, scrape off blistering or flaking paint. Wear safety goggles and a NIOSH-approved respirator. For speed, use an electric sander with 60-grit paper to feather away major chips. Finish sanding with 100-grit paper, and then wipe the door with a tack cloth to remove all wood dust. Clean the wood surface with mineral spirits or a liquid deglosser. (Fig. 2)
3.
Paint the Door
Panel doors are finely detailed, compared with flush doors, and therefore they are more difficult to paint. Beginning with a 2-inch-wide brush, paint the center panels. For even coverage, first paint the wood across the grain, and then paint it with the grain. Work quickly to keep a smooth, ripple-free finish. Once the panels are done, finish painting the remainder of the door in a logical sequence. For example, paint the panels first, then the rails, and lastly the stiles. (Fig. 3)
