Front door restoration is essential to keep your entryway in shipshape. After all the front door greets your household every day, welcomes visitors and can even add to curb appeal, so you want to ensure this spot stays inviting.
Hardwood types of doors are a classic, however, they are somewhat being taken over by modern material alternatives like fiberglass and uPVC purely because they aren't the easiest to maintain. However, if you have the right advice and give your hardwood front/exterior doors the attention they deserve, they will stand the test of time.
Naturally, a hardwood front door goes through a lot and can start to look a little shabby and tired over time. This is how to tend to cracks and flaking paint on the frame without removing the door.
How often should I refinish my front door?
You'll know when it's time to tend to a weathered wooden front door. The color will have faded, there will be cracks and flaking paint. But our advice is to not leave it too long to ensure you get a better finish. Usually you'll have some DIY to do every 3-5 years.
You will need:
- Gloves
- Dust mask
- Eye protection
- Paint stripper
- Brass brush
- Filling knife
- Lime mortar
- Limewash
- Brass cleaner
- Painters tape
- Wax and polish remover
- Pure tung oil
- Steel wool
- Cotton cloths
- Flexible frame sealant
- New bell push (if necessary)
1. Revive the front doorstep
Strip any flaking faded paint from the doorstep, ready for a new coat. Rather than using a general-purpose stripper, try pick a product formulated to remove a specific finish, such as NB- 510 from Strippers Paint Removers. Sorting the steps will only help enhance the best front door designs and looks.
2. Repair the front door case
Remove all loose and flaking paint from the door case. A brass brush can be useful for this job but a steel brush will scratch soft stone. A steel scraper can be used with care – hold at a slight angle to avoid digging into the stone. Fill cracks and gaps with lime mortar (sand and lime putty mixed).
3. Apply limewash to the stone
Modern masonry paint prevents old stone ‘breathing’. Instead I used ready-prepared limewash, spraying the stone with water before applying. Paint on three to four further coats and allow a day in between for limewash to dry. Wear protective goggles as limewash splashes can damage eyes.
4. Polish brass door furniture
Protect the wood by fixing painters tape around the edges of the letter plate (if you're in the UK). Tarnished metal can be cleaned using Liberon’s Brass & Copper Cleaner rubbed lightly with very fine steel wool. Rinse and dry. Maintain shine with Liberon’s Brass & Copper Polish. Finally, protect with a film of clear wax polish.
5. Clean off grime and old wax
Get rid of old wax finishes, dirt and grime from the wood door. Soak a wad of fine steel wool (0000) in Wax & Polish Remover and gently wash the wood following the grain. Wait a few minutes and wipe away the dirt with a clean cotton cloth. Keep changing the face of the cloth so you take the dirt off.
6. Put on new bell push or door knocker
Remove your existing bell push and replace it with one suitable for your home's era. If you have a historic property, a Georgian style brass door knocker should look the part. Smart doorbells or electric systems work off either a mains or battery power source. If yours is run from mains electricity use an electrician to carry out modifications.
7. Condition the door with oil
Apply Liberon Pure Tung Oil with a brush or cloth. Allow the oil to penetrate and wipe off any remaining on the surface after 30 minutes (surplus oil will turn sticky). For oak doors and exposed wood apply four coats allowing 24 hours in between. Rub gently with fine steel wool in between applications.
8. Seal gaps against the rain
First, ensure surfaces are clean, dry and non-greasy. Place the sealant nozzle against the gap between woodwork and masonry ensuring it touches both sides. Apply by squeezing trigger and running cartridge slowly along the gap. If necessary, while sealant is still wet, smooth finish with a wet spatula.
How much does it cost to restore a front door?
A quick job like this can cost as little as $30-$40. It will cost more if you're buying a new door knocker and if you want to add a coat of paint that will also add more to the materials cost. However, things like painters tape, brushes etc. are investments and they will make general DIY projects a ton easier to just, do!