how do you refinish a varnished door

How to Refinish a Stained & Varnished Exterior Door.

• 1. Remove the three hinge pins from the door by placing the flat screwdriver under the lip at the top of each pin and use the hammer to tap the bottom ...
• 2. Remove the door from the hinges. It should easily slide out from the doorframe now that the hinge pins are no longer holding the door in place.
• 3. Set up two sawhorses on level ground and place a pad or folded cloth over the top of each sawhorse. The padding protects the wooden door from dents ...
• 4. Remove the door hinges, using a flat- or Phillips-head screwdriver, depending upon the screw type in the door’s hardware. Remove the door handle, ...

Full Answer

How do you remove varnish from a wood door?

This will remove the old varnish and stain. Change the sandpaper in the sander to the 100-grit paper and sand the flat surfaces of the door again. Switch the sandpaper to the 120-grit sandpaper and sand the door again. This is the fine-grit sandpaper, which leaves a smooth surface on the door.

How do you refinish a flaking door?

Before refinishing this scarred and flaking entry door, painting contractor John Dee sets it on padded sawhorses and takes off the hardware. 2. Sand the flats With the door resting on padded sawhorses, use a random-orbit sander with 80-grit paper to quickly remove what remains of the old varnish and sun-baked flakes of wood.

How do you sand down varnish?

Start by sanding the surface with a random-orbital sander and 150-grit paper. Use a fine-grit sanding sponge to get into crevices. Don't try to sand off all the varnish.

What is refinishing a wood door?

Refinishing is the process of reapplying the wood finishing to keep the exterior wood door safe from decay. Read on to learn about the process of refinishing an exterior wood door.

How do you restore a varnished door?

How to Restore Your Old Wood Front DoorStep 1: Remove the Door From the Hinges and Lay Flat on a Pair of Sawhorses. ... Step 2: Remove All Door Hardware. ... Step 3: Sand Down the Door. ... Step 4: Remove All Traces of Sawdust & Apply Stain. ... Step 5: Apply Exterior (spar) Varnish. ... Step 6: Reinstall Hardware and Hang the Door.

How do you paint a door that has been varnished?

The goal is to remove any flaky varnish and to roughen the surface for a good primer bond. Wipe off the dust with a brush. Then roll on a coat of BIN or KILZ (available at home centers for about $8 per quart). Have the home center or paint store tint the primer to a grayish color to help cover the underlying varnish.

How do you refinish a wood door without removing it?

Here's the step by steps for the entire process I used to refinish my front door without taking it off the hinges.Develop a strategy. ... Remove anything from the door that you don't want to get scratched, dusty or coated with finish. ... Remove the old finish. ... Prevent Blotch. ... Apply the Stain. ... Apply the Topcoat.More items...

Can you stain a varnished door?

Yes, you can stain over varnish without any issue. But staining varnished wood is different than staining untreated wood. Clean and sand the wood using fine-grit sandpaper before applying stain over varnish to remove dust, debris and to emphasize wood grain which helps to take the stain better.

Can I paint over varnished wood without sanding?

You can paint veneer furniture without sanding with the same steps as solid wood furniture. However, if you have to do any touch up sanding, make sure to use a very fine grit sandpaper so you don't damage the veneer.

How do you remove varnish from wood without sanding?

1:083:23Remove varnish from wood without sanding or scraping - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I just take the oven cleaner spray it in there spray. It up spray it over. And let that sit for aMoreSo I just take the oven cleaner spray it in there spray. It up spray it over. And let that sit for a couple minutes it depends how thick this looks like this is only one coat.

How do you refinish interior wood doors?

0:517:30How to Refinish/Paint Interior Doors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the first thing that you want to do is just kind of basically. Go over your door after you removeMoreSo the first thing that you want to do is just kind of basically. Go over your door after you remove it off the hinges. You can also remove. The door handle because you do not need that in the way as.

How do you restore a stained wood door?

0:067:51STAINING A DOOR. How to refinish a door. Door glazing tips. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLights camera action this Christy Idaho painter this video we got a front door with some side lightsMoreLights camera action this Christy Idaho painter this video we got a front door with some side lights right here in this front door the finish on it is actually completely worn off there's not much

Can you sand a door without taking it off?

To sand the bottom of a door without removing it, put the sandpaper on the floor, grit side up, and pull the door back and forth across it. Planing is usually the last resort, since it will mean touching up the planed area with a sealer or finish to match the door. A rasp-type plane will often do the best job.

How do you change the color of varnished wood?

Method 1: Change Wood Color with a New StainRemove the existing finish completely by sanding or stripping.Determine the wood species. ... Determine the undertone of the wood stains you are considering.Choose a wood stain that will either complement or counteract the existing undertone to get the look you want.More items...•

Do you have to remove old varnish before staining?

You don't need to remove all of the old stain to apply darker stain. But you do need to remove all of the lacquer, varnish or anything that will prevent new stain from absorbing into the wood. It's easy to see the shiny edges of old lacquer, or the scratched surface of old lacquer.

Can you put new varnish over old varnish?

Whatever product you want to use, as a general rule, you will have to completely remove any existing varnish, waxes, oils, wood stains, dust, dirt, grease, uneven areas and sticky stuff before applying a wood varnish.

How do you paint over varnished doors without sanding?

0:333:26How to paint over stain / varnish surface - No Sanding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGuys no need for sandpaper. No need for a de-glosser. Or any kind of paint stripper or varnishMoreGuys no need for sandpaper. No need for a de-glosser. Or any kind of paint stripper or varnish stripper it's going to take you a long time and cost you money.

What is the best primer for varnished wood?

What is the best primer for varnished wood?Stain-blocking primer. If you don't want to see even a sign of tannin, grease, and stains, the stain-blocking primer will do the perfect job for you. ... Shellac primer. ... Oil-based or water-based primer on varnished wood? ... The colour of the primer matters.

How do you paint varnished pine doors white?

2:042:44How To Paint Over Varnished Timber - D.I.Y. At Bunnings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure your paint is a hundred percent dry between coats. This will need another two to threeMoreMake sure your paint is a hundred percent dry between coats. This will need another two to three coats. You paint yours as many times as you need and that's how you paint varnish timber.

How do you paint varnished wood white?

How To Paint Varnished Wood In 7 StepsMake any repairs and caulk as needed.Wash varnished wood with TSP (trisodium phosphate)Sand with fine sandpaper.Clean off dust.Prime following the manufacturer's instructions.Lightly sand primer to remove any brush marks.More items...

How to remove varnish from a wood door?

With the door resting on padded sawhorses, use a random-orbit sander with 80-grit paper to quickly remove what remains of the old varnish and sun-baked flakes of wood.

What is Spar varnish?

Spar varnish has long been the clear finish of choice for exterior wood because of its elastic toughness and ability to stand up to the sun. But now many different and effective formulations have made it to store shelves. Look for one specifically for outdoor use and loaded with UV-protection; Dee used Sikkens' Cetol Door & Window on this project. Then follow the application instructions and maintenance regimen to the letter.

How to sand a molding?

Fold a half sheet of 100-grit sandpaper in thirds, press it into a section of the profile with your fingertips, then rub back and forth in long strokes over the length of the molding.

How long does enamel paint last on wood?

Two coats of enamel paint over a primer will provide a wood door with the best and longest-lasting protection against sun, abrasion, and weather—about 8 to 10 years.

How long does it take for a wood door to dry before varnishing?

Allow the stain or paint to dry for 24 hours before applying the final coat. Apply a clear wood varnish to the door with a paintbrush if you used stain or left the wood natural. The varnish preserves the wood by repelling moisture. You can use your choice of semigloss or glossy varnish.

How to remove peeling varnish from wood?

Remove any loose, blistered or peeling varnish with a paint scraper. Scrape with a gentle, light touch to prevent digs or gouges in the surface of the wood.

How to protect a wooden door from dents?

Set up two sawhorses on level ground and place a pad or folded cloth over the top of each sawhorse. The padding protects the wooden door from dents or other damage as you work on the door. Lay the door across the two sawhorses.

How long does it take for wood stain to dry?

Wipe away the excess. If you prefer the natural look of the wood, skip this step. Allow the stain or paint to dry for 24 hours before applying the final coat.

Expert wood-finisher Peter Gedrys offers advice for maintaining and refreshing aging spar varnish on an exterior wood door

Several years back you did a feature and video series on finishing an exterior door by Peter Gedrys (FHB #257). I followed the instructions step by step and was very happy with how it turned out, but I’m now at the point where some maintenance is required.

Highlights

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

What is refinishing a door?

Refinishing is the process of reapplying the wood finishing to keep the exterior wood door safe from decay. Read on to learn about the process of refinishing an exterior wood door.

Why is varnish bad?

A varnish could be bad for a variety of reasons; bad prep work, mixing incompatible products, etc. Make sure you know the product you are working with, and do not cut corners.

How to sand a flat surface?

Sanding Flat Surfaces: Sand the existing paint using 80 grit sandpaper or the orbital sander. Also, remove all the finish or weather-damage from the door’s flat surfaces. Next you need to sand it using the 100 grit and finally using the 120 grit. Use a soft rag in order to wipe the sanding dust away.

How to scrape wood to avoid gouging?

You need to use both hands in order to apply even pressure. Whenever you are doing this, make sure you do it carefully in order to avoid gouging the wood in any way.

Can you sand a door?

Sanding too far into the veneer can show unsightly layers and seriously reduce the lifespan of your door. Know how your door is made, and don’t sand too much.

Can you sand glass before sanding?

Leaving glass unprotected during the sanding process can result in accidentally scratching the surface. These marks are difficult to remove, and can be avoided by simply protecting the glass before you sand.

Is it good to refinish an exterior door?

Refinishing an exterior wood door is an excellent way to prolong it’s lifespan while improving its appearance. However, there are a few common mistakes that can render a refinishing ineffective, or even damage your door. Learn what to avoid while working on your exterior wood door to ensure a successful refinishing.

How long does it take to fix a window finish?

It's easy to fix the finish on windows when it begins to flake and fade. Scraping, sanding and restaining will only take about one hour. And your natural finish will look like new.

How to match stain and finish?

The first step is to match the stain and finish. The easiest way to do this is to take a piece of the trim to a paint store to have it matched (Photo 1). Scrape any worn varnish off (Photo 2), then sand with 120- or 150-grit sandpaper.

Where to sand side pieces?

Sand side pieces heavily in worn-out areas and lightly elsewhere. Stop at edges or corners next to undamaged wood.

Do you need to sand and recoat a window?

You don't need to sand and recoat the entire window if only a few pieces need it—just stop at an edge or corner. Stain the wood (Photo 4) and apply two coats of outdoor-grade finish. If the gloss doesn't match the older varnish, buff it lightly with extra-fine steel wool or pad to dull it.

Can you sand wood trim on the bottom of a window?

It looks like an intimidating job, but usually the only part of the window that needs work is along the bottom—the rest of the sash and trim can just be lightly sanded and recoated.

How to shade a wood door?

Always brush in the direction of the wood grain. Allow the door to dry before sanding it down with 220-grit sandpaper, also in the direction of the wood grain. Repeat this process until you achieve the shade you prefer. Attach all hardware and re hang the door.

Where to work when applying chemical stripper and varnish?

Work in a well-ventilated area when applying the chemical stripper and varnish.

How to fill scratches in wood?

If you find any divots or scratches that the sanding couldn’t erase, you can fill these in with wood filler. Gently wipe the wood filler into the scratch or divot and smooth around the edges. Use the sanding sponge to even out the surface of the wood-fill repair.

Is a wood exterior door a good entry?

They are warm and inviting and visually dramatic. A wood exterior door is a classic entry choice. It’s outdoor position also makes it prone to weather damage, particularly from the damaging rays of the sun.