How to Refinish a Wooden Front Door

Even those who have refinished furniture or tackled other home maintenance jobs can balk at the idea of refinishing a wooden front door. One of the things that gives people pause is making sure the refinished door will stand up to all sorts of weather.

But refinishing an exterior door doesn't have to be an extremely complicated process. Simply plan out the steps ahead of time, gather supplies and be prepared to work carefully and patiently. Not only can you have a beautifully refinished door but you're likely to save plenty over having someone else do the work.

Please note: this technique is designed for solid wooden doors. Adapt methods for doors covered in wood veneer.

Refinishing a wooden front door - make sure you have all supplies on hand

Ideally, refinishing a front door should be a step by step process. You don't want to stop to run to the hardware store to get extra supplies. Also, you may need to plan ahead to rent a sander or other equipment. Make sure you have plenty of drop cloths, rags (you can buy these if you don't have any on hand) and a good sander with a variety of sandpaper types. You'll also need mineral spirits, paint or stain thinner, safety goggles and plastic or other gloves thick enough to prevent splinters from getting into your hands. If possible, have a shop vac on hand. Of course you'll also want the proper exterior grade stain or paint for your climate. If in doubt, ask for recommendations from a trusted hardware store employee.

Decide whether to remove the door or leave it in place

I've refinished wooden front doors by using both methods. If the door is in a protected spot like inside a screened porch, you may be able to refinish it while it is in place. However, I prefer to remove the door and work with it flat on the drop cloth, newspaper or large piece of plastic (similar to trash bags) under the door to catch any stain. Be sure to put all door hinges or other parts in one container and even label them so you know which pieces fit into the hinges at the top,middle and bottom of the door. You don't necessarily have to remove the hinges. Just protect them from the stain by taping a tiny plastic bag over them, making sure that all edges of the door are still exposed to the stain. Do the same for any accessories such as knockers.

Check for any damaged parts of the door and fix them before staining

If you don't have any kick plates in place, the lower part of any wooden exterior door tends to take a beating. If there are strong indentations, you'll want a wood filler that accepts stain well. Minor blemishes may be able to be filled in quickly.

Refinishing a wooden front door - practice does build confidence

If you have a small outdoor table or piece of wood that matches the door, practice sanding and staining it till you get the results you like. Now you should have the confidence to tackle that door! Remember, you are using the same basic techniques but on a larger surface.

Start the sanding process

A nice, steady hand is the key to success here. Start with medium grade sandpaper and work down to finer grade. If you'd prefer, use a wood stripper to get off the old stain or you can simply remove it through the sanding process. Once you are down to bare wood, use a tack cloth to remove all dust. You want an absolutely clean surface for adding stain or paint to your wooden front door. Check for any spots that still need sanding. Even with gloves on, you should be able to feel any rough spots.

Consider using a wood conditioner to get stain to absorb evenly

I like Minwax products but go with any brand you like. Think of a conditioner as similar to adding a primer before painting. It can make the new stain appear rich and even.

Decide on the type of stain or paint you want

Do you want a glossy or flat paint or stain? For glossy stain finishes, you can save time by using a combination exterior grade polyurethane and stain combination. Whether using paint or stain, apply in the direction of the grain. Use brushes with bristles that aren't likely to come off easily or be visible on painted or stained doors. If the wooden door has raised decorations, be sure to use a fine brush or high quality rags to reach the tiniest areas. If the wood is very dry, you may need to use several coats of stain or paint. Add a protective sealer, if desired. Now let the door dry in a protected place.Then rehang the door and enjoy the benefits of your hard work!