How to Refinish a Front Door

Your front door is one of the first things a person sees before entering your home, so you want to make a good first impression. If your door is looking a little worse for wear, it may be time to add a new coat of finish to freshen up its appearance and take it to the next level. For a natural look, you can use a combination of stain and clear finish to improve the appearance of your front door, while paint and primer can give your door a more colorful look. Overall, you’ll need 3 days to complete this project, but it only takes a couple hours or so to sand down down the door and actually apply the finish.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Disassembling and Sanding the Door

1. Remove the door from its hinges. Open your front door slightly and place a sturdy doorstop beneath the door. Place the sharp part of a 16-penny nail along the bottom opening of your hinge and hammer the bottom of the nail a few times, which will loosen and remove the pin. Once all the pins are removed, angle the door so it fits through the doorframe and carry it outside to your workspace.^[1]
   
   • Remove the bottom hinge first, then work your way to the top.
   • You can also hammer a screwdriver to remove the hinge pins.
   • Place the hinge pins in a secure area so you can find and replace them later.
2. Place the door horizontally on some padded sawhorses. Set up 2 sawhorses in an open work area, like your garage or yard. Drape a towel or other kind of padding over each sawhorse, then place your front door on top, with the handle or knob facing up.^[2]
   
   • The padding helps prevent your door from getting scratched or banged up.
3. Take off any doorknobs and other hardware attached to the door. Unscrew the front doorknob or handle from the door, along with any lock mechanisms in the side of the door. Set all of the hardware aside so you can reinstall it later.^[3]
   
   • Remove any hardware that’s attached to your door at this point, whether it’s a knob, handle, lock, or kick plate.
4. Buff away old varnish on the panels with an 80-grit paper and a random-orbit sander. Install an 80-grit sheet of sandpaper into a random-orbit sander and turn it on. Move the sander over the flat panels along the front of the door in slow, back and forth motions, focusing on any loose or peeling varnish. Sand away the worst of the old finish so the wood is visible underneath.^[4]
   
   • If you don’t have a random-orbit sander, you can use regular sheets of sandpaper instead. However, the sanding process will take a lot longer to complete by hand.
5. Smooth off the wood with 100-grit paper. Remove the old paper from your random-orbit sander and attach a sheet of 100-grit paper instead. Repeat the same process that you did before, but focus on smoothing out the surface of the wood. Only sand over the smooth portions of the door—don’t worry about any creases or dips.^[5]
   
6. Polish the sanded wood with 120-grit paper. Take out the 100-grit paper and replace it with a finer grit. Turn on your device and sand off the same area again, which will give it a really smooth finish.^[6]
   
   • Before applying any finish, the door needs to be completely smooth and sanded down first.
7. Scrape the old finish off the moldings with a trapezoid- or teardrop-shaped blade. Examine the corners and profile of your door where the wood is ornately curved and carved. Hold a handheld scraper with both hands, positioning it along the end of the profile. Apply a little pressure and drag the scraper forward to sand off these hard-to-reach areas.^[7]
   
   • A trapezoid-shaped scraper works best for flatter portions of the wood, while a teardrop-shaped scraper works well with narrow sections that are harder to access.
   • Don’t use a rotary or random-orbit sander to buff these profiles, or you could do a lot of damage to the wood.
8. Hand-sand the wooden profiles with a sanding sponge. Fold a section of 100-grit sandpaper into thirds and start sanding the molding on your door that you just scraped. If needed, brush off the surface with a sanding sponge to buff off some hard-to-reach areas of your molding.^[8]
   
   • You can find a sanding sponge at your local hardware store.
9. Brush and vacuum away any leftover sawdust from the surface of the door. Take a clean cloth and wipe off any obvious sawdust or finish leftover on the door. For a more thorough clean, go over the surface of the door with a vacuum tube attachment.^[9]
   
10. Reattach the door to its hinges. Ask a friend or family member to help you move the door back into the front entryway. Insert the hinge pins back into place, but don’t reattach any other hardware yet.^[10]
    
    • Attaching the door ahead of time prevents the finish from being damaged later on.

[Edit]Staining Your Front Door

1. Apply a wood preservative and stain for a more natural look. Pick up a natural wood preservative like boiled linseed oil, and a can of your desired stain color. The linseed oil will help preserve and protect your door, while the stain will add a nice new color.^[11]
   
2. Apply a coat of boiled linseed oil to the surface of your door. Pour a small amount of boiled linseed oil into a painter’s tray, then dip a small, bristle brush into the mixture. Spread the oil over the moldings, horizontal rails, and stiles first, then coat the flat portions of your door. This provides a sturdy base layer for the stain.^[12]
   
   • A natural-bristle brush is best for applying boiled linseed oil.^[13]
3. Wait for the linseed oil to dry completely. Check on your door every few hours to see if it’s dry to the touch. You may have to wait at least a day before your door is ready for staining.^[14]
   
   • Check the label on your boiled linseed oil for more specific drying instructions.
4. Brush a coat of stain onto your door and let it dry. Dip a clean brush into your stain and spread it over the interior and exterior sides of your door. For easier application, start with the moldings, horizontal rails, and vertical stiles, then apply stain to the flat sections of the door. Once you’ve applied the stain, wait at least 1 day until it’s dry to the touch.^[15]
   
   • Double-check your stain bucket to see what the recommended drying time is.
5. Add a second coat of stain to your door and allow it to dry. Dip your brush into the stain again and spread it over the inside and outside of your door. Focus on the moldings, rails, and stiles first, then flat sections.Wait for the stain to dry for 2 days, then apply a clear finish.^[16]
   

[Edit]Applying Clear Finish

1. Pick an outdoor-specific, UV-protecting finish to keep your door in great condition. Think about how much TLC you’d like to give your front door. If you’re looking for a quick solution, check out a varnish or finish with UV-protection specified in the label, which can save your door from future sun damage.^[17]
   
   • You can find different paint and finish options at your local hardware or home improvement store.
   • Finishes with oxide pigments or trans-oxide pigments work well for this.^[18]
2. Soak a brush in paint thinner. Fill a sturdy tray or container with paint thinner and a separate bucket with the finish of your choice. Soak ⅓ of your brush bristles into the paint thinner, then shake off any excess.^[19]
   
   • This makes it easier to apply the paint initially.
3. Paint over the door edges with clear finish and let them dry. Dip your brush into the finish and apply it in smooth, even strokes over the thin edges along the top and bottom of your door. Wait 1 day or so for the finish to dry completely before you move or paint any other sections of the door.^[20]
   
   • Follow the recommended instructions on your can of finish to figure out an exact drying time.
   • You only need to dip the bottom of the bristles into the finish.
4. Apply a coat of your desired finish over the front and back of your door. Dip your brush into the finish and apply a thin coat over the flat, paneled sections on both the exterior and interior sides of your door. Spread the paint along the grain of the wood in slow, even coats so your paint job looks smooth. Continue painting the moldings, horizontal rails, and vertical stiles of your door to give the surface an even polish.^[21]
   
   • Since you aren’t painting a large surface, like a wall, it’s best to use a brush instead of a roller.
   • Horizontal rails are the raised, horizontal panels going across your door while vertical stiles are the raised, vertical portions.
5. Leave the door ajar and let it dry overnight. Open the door slightly so it can be surrounded by fresh air. Let your door stand in the open overnight so the first layer of finish can dry completely.^[22]
   
6. Sand down the dried finish with 220-grit sandpaper. Take a section of 220-grit paper and rub down the dried finish in smooth, consistent strokes. Buff the entire surface of the door, including the moldings, stiles, and rails.^[23]
   
7. Wipe away any leftover dust from the door. Double-check all the crevices and curves of your door to make sure the dust is gone. You can wipe any leftover residue into the trash. As a final touch, brush off your door with a tack cloth.^[24]
   
   • You can get a tack cloth from your local hardware or home improvement store.
8. Apply a second layer of finish over both sides of your door. Paint your door in the same order that you did before by starting with your wooden panels and making your way to the moldings. Finally, add another coat of finish to the horizontal rails and vertical stiles on your door.^[25]
   
9. Wait for the finish to dry overnight. Leave your door open overnight again, letting the fresh air dry off the wet finish. Don’t apply any more finish until the door is completely dry to the touch.^[26]
   
10. Buff the door again with 280-grit sandpaper. Take a clean sheet of fine sandpaper and rub down the panels, moldings, railings, and stiles of the door. As you did before, wipe away any leftover residue and dust on the door, then wipe down the door with a tack cloth.^[27]
    
11. Add a final layer of finish to both sides of your door and let it dry. Dip your brush into the finish one last time and paint both sides of your door in the same order that you did before: panels, molding, horizontal rails, and vertical stiles. Keep your door open overnight again so the finish can dry completely. Once the finish is completely dry, you can reinstall your doorknob, kickplate, and any other missing hardware.^[28]
    

[Edit]Painting the Door

1. Use a combination of enamel paint and primer for full coverage. Visit your local hardware or home improvement store and pick up some enamel primer and paint for your door. Instead of applying 3 coats of finish, start with a single coat of primer and 2 coats of enamel paint. This combination helps protect your door from sun damage, and can last up to a decade.^[29]
   
   • You can choose a paint color that matches your door, or pick a new color altogether.
2. Tape the edges of your door to prevent paint spills. Rip away long strips of painters tape and secure them along the edges of your front door. Place the tape along the inner and outer edges of your door frame to prevent and primer or paint from spilling onto your home’s exteriors or inner walls.^[30]
   
   • You can find painter’s tape at most hardware or paint stores.
3. Apply a coat of wood primer to your door and let it dry. Dip a brush into your primer and begin spreading it onto your front door. Start painting the top right or left corner and work your way down to the bottom of the door. Prime 1 half of the door at a time. Double-check that you’ve primed the edges of your door in addition to the front and back, then wait a day or so for the primer to dry.^[31]
   
   • For instance, you can paint the left side first, and then the right side (or vice versa).
   • Check your primer can for more specific drying instructions.
4. Buff the primer with 220-grit sandpaper. Take a new sheet of fine sandpaper and go over both sides of your front door. ^[32] Brush away any leftover paint dust with a tack cloth, so your door is completely smooth.^[33]
   
   • Fine sandpaper is a great option for fine-tuning painting projects, and helps your final paint job look as professional as possible.^[34]
5. Spread the first coat of paint to both sides of your door. Dip a clean, bristle brush into your desired paint color and apply it over the door. Follow the same pattern that you did with the primer, working from from 1 corner to the bottom of the door. Apply the paint in sections, then let it dry completely before you continue.^[35]
   
   • Double-check your paint can to see how much time the paint needs to dry.
6. Sand down the dried paint with 220-grit sandpaper. Take another fresh sheet of sandpaper and go over the front and back portions of your front door. Once again, dust away any paint with a tack cloth so your door is as smooth as possible.^[36]
   
7. Add 2 more coats of paint while sanding in between. Apply a second coat of paint over the first, working from top to bottom as you did before. Wait for the paint to dry completely, then sand over the surface with 220-grit sandpaper and apply a third coat for good measure.^[37]
   
8. Clean up your door and reinstall any missing hardware. Wait for the paint to completely dry and remove the painter’s tape surrounding your door. Additionally, take a few minutes reinstall your doorknob, kickplate, and any other hardware.^[38]
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Contact a professional if you need help with any part of the finishing process.
• Always work in a well-ventilated area with a lot of open area flowing around.

[Edit]Warnings

• If your door has a thick original finish, you may need to remove it with a chemical stripper.^[39]

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

[Edit]Disassembling and Sanding the Door

• 16-penny nail
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Sawhorses
• Padding or towel
• Random-orbit sander
• 80-grit sandpaper sheets
• 100-grit sandpaper sheets
• 120-grit sandpaper sheets
• Clean cloth
• Tack cloth
• Vacuum

[Edit]Staining Your Front Door

• Boiled linseed oil
• bristle paint brush
• Stain
• Screwdriver
• Paint tray (optional)

[Edit]Applying Clear Finish

• Paint thinner
• Finish
• Bucket or paint tray
• bristle paint brush
• 220-grit sandpaper
• 280-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth

[Edit]Painting the Door

• Painter’s tape
• Wood primer
• Finish paint
• bristle paint brush
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Screwdriver

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/refinish-a-wooden-entry-door/?slide=slide_c91191c0-8046-4af5-b120-1ed6d744a17e#slide_c91191c0-8046-4af5-b120-1ed6d744a17e
2. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/video/refurbishing-an-entry-door/
3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/refinish-a-wooden-entry-door/?slide=slide_c91191c0-8046-4af5-b120-1ed6d744a17e#slide_c91191c0-8046-4af5-b120-1ed6d744a17e
4. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/video/refurbishing-an-entry-door/
5. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/refinish-a-wooden-entry-door/?slide=slide_6c589775-623b-4588-b24c-881d2c2cb765#slide_6c589775-623b-4588-b24c-881d2c2cb765
6. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/refinish-a-wooden-entry-door/?slide=slide_6c589775-623b-4588-b24c-881d2c2cb765#slide_6c589775-623b-4588-b24c-881d2c2cb765
7. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
8. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
9. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/refinish-a-wooden-entry-door/?slide=slide_9d11c70c-f203-41ed-862e-5f8ccbecd619#slide_9d11c70c-f203-41ed-862e-5f8ccbecd619
10. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
11. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
12. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
13. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-waterproof-wood/
14. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
15. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/refinish-a-wooden-entry-door/?slide=slide_c91191c0-8046-4af5-b120-1ed6d744a17e#slide_c91191c0-8046-4af5-b120-1ed6d744a17e
16. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
17. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
18. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/how-to-refinish-a-front-door/2014/01/28/fa2de026-8467-11e3-bbe5-6a2a3141e3a9_story.html
19. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
20. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
21. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
22. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
23. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
24. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
25. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/refinish-a-wooden-entry-door/?slide=slide_9d11c70c-f203-41ed-862e-5f8ccbecd619#slide_9d11c70c-f203-41ed-862e-5f8ccbecd619
26. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
27. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
28. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
29. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
30. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
31. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
32. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/2145-quick-tip-choosing-sandpaper/
33. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
34. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/2145-quick-tip-choosing-sandpaper/
35. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
36. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
37. ↑ https://www.oldhouseonline.com/repairs-and-how-to/3-ways-refinish-entry-door
38. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21016526/how-to-refinish-a-door
39. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/refinish-a-wooden-entry-door/?slide=slide_6c589775-623b-4588-b24c-881d2c2cb765#slide_6c589775-623b-4588-b24c-881d2c2cb765