Here’s an article written about the process to restore an old wooden door written by lockshopdirect.com and an advertisement featuring door locks.

A Brief Guide to Restoring an Old Wooden Door

There are many beautiful, older wooden homes scattered around the country that need nothing more than a little bit of loving to restore the extra shine that they once had in their prime. When undertaking a project like this, restoring an old wooden door is something that you’ll have to learn how to do.

After all, chances are your restored door will be nicer – having an irreplaceable edge as a piece of antique furniture – than something that’s purchased new off the store floor. Luckily for you, we have got you covered when it comes to what corrective measures you need to take when repairing or restoring antique doors. Without further ado, read on for our brief ‘how-to’ guide on restoring the look of an old wooden door.

Supplies

First off, the supplies that you will need will vary depending on how you choose to refurbish. For starters, we are going to assume a basic set of supplies, including painter’s tape (the blue or green varietals), old rags that you’ve found around the house, cleaning supplies (these might include a window cleaner, a vinegar/water solution, or some kind of gentle soap), paint remover, a screw driver, putty/wood filler, (liquid) sandpaper, pre-stain conditioner, primer, paint, and last but not least, the ever-important newspaper you’ll have put aside for this special project.

1. Cleaning and Prepping

The first step is straightforward: start by removing dirt or any sitting dust or things like cobwebs. For outside entryways, wipe down the exterior façade with a gentle cleanser to get rid of things like mold and residue. Wipe this down and rinse it off with a wet rag or hose, or for more persistent stains, feel free to use a pressure washer. Do the same with indoor doors, using a more abrasive tool like a toothbrush or sponge (if necessary) in conjunction with a solution like water and vinegar.

Now, let this dry before moving on. Tape off windows, peep holes, and non-removable hardware whilst carefully removing things like hinges, knockers, and the door locks with your screwdriver.

2. Strip Old Paint and Varnish

One important thing to be mindful of is the kind of paint that already exists on your door. If it is from 1978 or earlier, you will want to check to make sure it is not lead: if it is, read about its proper removal (which can be prohibitively expensive). Otherwise, using your choice of a sandblaster, electric sander, scraper, or paint stripper, remove any of the old paint and varnish, taking care to be thorough and not miss any spots.

3. Nooks and Crannies

As you work, chances are you will notice dents and cracks in the surface of the wood. To fill these in, you can use either wood filler or putty depending on the size of the hole. Even the new surface out with a knife or ruler and let it dry before moving on.

4. Painting

Depending on if your door leads to the outside of the house or is simply indoors, there are paints and primers for each that are designed to work well specifically with wooden surfaces. Explore your options and choose the correct type and color for you.

Apply thin layers of primer first, then apply multiple thin coats of paint, letting it dry between each application. A roller, brush, or paint sprayer works. If staining, first apply a pre-stain conditioner.

After drying, apply the stain and be sure to carefully follow the instructions on the can while doing so. Finally, after all is dry, replace the removed hardware and voila, you’ll have a brand new antique door to your accolade!