Refinishing the Front Door

[JM Aggie08]

We've been in our house for just over a year now, and have always hated the front door. By design, it works flawlessly. Aesthetically? Ehhh....

It's your standard door, has some pretty basic design on it, but it's painted the same color as the interior trim and just is not eye catching at all. It's a pretty light shade, 'Latte' I believe, so collects dust and dirt like a mother on the outside.

What would be the best method for stripping and restraining this thing? My first thought would be taking it to get sandblasted, but I'm not sure if any local service providers would work on something not industrial. I'd much prefer re-purposing this thing than purchasing a new door.

 

[Greenman]

Sand blasting will make it look like it's 500 years old. You need to use chemical stripper or a sander.

 

[Humpy]

It's painted now and you want it stained?

Did you see the door before it was painted? You might not like what's under the paint after you strip it. Also, if it sees any weather paint is a more durable/protective finish.

Consider simply repainting with a more desirable color.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Consider simply repainting with a more desirable color.

Yep. Sand, prime, paint. Done. Afternoon project.

 

[herm0016]

what is the door made of? steel? wood? fiberglass?

sand/prime/ paint with Sherwin Williams pro-classic enamel.

 

[Subyman]

what is the door made of? steel? wood? fiberglass?

sand/prime/ paint with Sherwin Williams pro-classic enamel.

YES :thumbsup:

 

[Homerboy]

another vote for sand/prime/paint
If it's layered on thick already (several coats) then strip it too.

 

[Zorba]

I just did my front door, which was stained Fiberglass. I used a citric acid based stripper I got at Lowe's. It took two attempts to get it all off, but too much work, much less than sanding. I think I could've done it all in one attempt, but I only used a scrapper on the first go and the second go I used a bathtub brush, which really cleared up the fake grain in the fiberglass.

I just used normal stain, brushed on and wiped off, took 3 coats IIRC to get desired darkness. I then brushed on 5 coats of waterborne spar polyurethane.

A important note of caution, though, if you have any glass around the door. The plastic trim pieces are made of polyurethane, so any chemical stripper will eat it. I learned this lesson the hard way.

I found a good youtube video made by a door manufacturer, but I don't think I saved it.