For those who intend to refinish doors, the tool will prove invaluable. For others it will be advisable to forget it and spend the time doing something else. In [...]]]> A paint scraper is used for scraping surfaces to remove paints and varnishes from exterior doors. You may purchase one at any hardware store if you so desire.

For those who intend to refinish doors, the tool will prove invaluable. For others it will be advisable to forget it and spend the time doing something else. In addition, I salvaged pieces of double-strength window door glass following one of our typical hailstorms and cut them to about 4 by 4 inches with a clean, square cut (which is most essential, in order to avoid cutting the hand or scoring the surface of doors).

Once I complained of not having the right tool for scraping down a pair of exterior French doors, and overcame my problem by cutting about 6 inches off one of his old saws, filing the back in one direction to make a bevel for a scrapping edge and flattening the teeth for safety.

You will become acquainted with the most effective angle to hold these tools for the most efficient scrape-off job for your exterior doors refinishing.

When using on exterior doors, apply a lot of elbow grease and will power.

Buy plenty [...]]]> Sandpaper, used inevitably in every wood working project you will ever endeavor to start, and is critical for finishing or refinishing exterior doors. Sandpaper is critical in refinishing exterior doors, and for that matter all doors of any sort.

When using on exterior doors, apply a lot of elbow grease and will power.

Buy plenty of sandpaper in at least three different grades besides the garnet paper.

You will regret it only when you don’t have enough on hand to finish the exterior doors refinish job effectively. A shoeshine-boy technique simplifies the sanding the finish on your exterior doors.

GARNET PAPER provides the smoother surface for the smoother finish for doors.

This is a pale-orange sandpaper which costs a little more but lasts a little longer and with less clogging.

Buy several sheets and keep in on hand for sprucing up your exterior doors finish. Invest in this for final finishing of your exterior doors. It is worth it.

You will need several grades for refinishing or just shining up your exterior of your doors:

Do not be stingy with turpentine; it is an excellent wood-conditioner, especially for solid wood doors. Always have a rag soaked in turpentine lying around to clean up after sanding the wood doors, [...]]]> Pure Gum Spirits or Turpentine is needed for cleaning and thinning varnish, paint, and enamel when refinishing or staining your exterior doors.

Do not be stingy with turpentine; it is an excellent wood-conditioner, especially for solid wood doors. Always have a rag soaked in turpentine lying around to clean up after sanding the wood doors, painting your exterior doors, or to get crud off your hands; or if you are me, your clothes.

Salvage your turpentine by pouring what you have used for cleaning brushes into a container (pickle jars work) and sealing it tight. In a few days after you finish or refinish your wood doors, you will be able to drain off relatively clear turpentine for future finishing excursions.

If you are working all the time with oil-based paints, keep a jar on hand full of spirits and soak your brushes to keep them conditioned.

From time to time you will be totally displeased with work, especially a color finish on your mahogany wood doors (or other solid wood doors), and will necessarily have to start all over again [...]]]> Paint, varnish, or oil Remover is needed for removing old finishes and mistakes when you finish or refinish exterior wood doors.

From time to time you will be totally displeased with work, especially a color finish on your mahogany wood doors (or other solid wood doors), and will necessarily have to start all over again staining your wood doors.

It is suggested that you think big in this instance and keep a good supply, at least a gallon, on hand. You will be surprised how many times you will decide to strip down and refinish your solid mahogany doors (or other solid wood doors), and this is the greatest assurance for getting on with the job when the exterior mahogany doors appear just about there.

There has been a lot of discussion about the best remover to use on exterior wood doors.

With few exceptions, the old finish must be removed to obtain satisfactory results; and exterior doors may have been finished originally in anyone of a half-dozen different things:

Oil

Wax

Varnish

Shellac

Laquer

Or any combination of these

It is difficult to select a remover that will work effectively in removing all these old finishes. Still, there are many very good removers available. Of the two general types of paint and varnish removers which are manufactured today, the type that requires a final wash with turpentine or alcohol is preferable over that requiring a final wash with water, as most removers contain a wax or paraffin to retard the evaporation. This wax or paraffin must be removed also as no finish applied over it will turn out right.

Removers can “be made of many different solvents and bleaches. You must necesssarily consider bleaches also in this instance, as there may be stains or discolorations that will have to be removed.

As with most everything else used for refinishing solid mahogany doors (or other solid wood doors), I have learned to mix up my own conglomeration, because about the time I became accustomed to a particular brand it would be taken from the store shelves and another put in its place. I have bought so many different brands that my shelf looks lIke one in a used paint store.

There is much to be said for the economy of mixing your own. Mixing your own is a matter of knowing the nature of the different chemicals and acids which are classified as solvent or bleach. All of these things are poisonous and must be treated as such.

KEEP THEM OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. This caution must be exercised even with the commercial removers and bleaches. Work in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes from these materials are very disagreeable and most of them are toxic. Avoid getting them on the skin, as serious burns may result.

The door is referred to in the trade as a “6 lite”, where the term “lite” refers to a window pane or glass panel.

These particular doors are 8-0 doors, [...]]]> This double door French door unit is an arch top meaning that it is not a full round, but a part of a circle and comprises an arch.

The door is referred to in the trade as a “6 lite”, where the term “lite” refers to a window pane or glass panel.

These particular doors are 8-0 doors, meaning they are eight feet high and zero inches. The widths typically available for the individual door are 30 inches, 32 inches, and 36 inches.

The most common is 32 inches, or in the trade, this French door unit is an “8-0 36 inch” unit.

Is your door faded, peeling, worn out from exposure to the elements?  Make your door look like new again. Hire a professional that knows how to clean, prepare the surface and properly refinish your exterior doors.

The Door Doctor has been refinishing doors for years in Jackson, [...]]]> The Door Doctor is a pro at refinishing and repairing your exterior doors.

Is your door faded, peeling, worn out from exposure to the elements?  Make your door look like new again. Hire a professional that knows how to clean, prepare the surface and properly refinish your exterior doors.

The Door Doctor has been refinishing doors for years in Jackson, MS and surrounding communities such as Madison, Rankin, Ridgeland and others.

Feel confident that the Door Doctor will refinish your doors at a price that is affordable, fair and within your budget.

Don’t leave the fate of your front doors to anyone other than the Door Doctor.  Trust that he will leave your front entryway looking beautiful!

Source: DoorSmart

There are many door combinations and styles when choosing the door unit right for you and your home.  Below are the typical combinations, although in construction, most anything is possible.