Door refinishing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What door refinishing is

Door refinishing strips or sands the old finish from a door, repairs dings and damage, then stains or paints and seals the surface to bring back its look and protect it from sun and weather. People call when a front or interior door has faded, cracked or worn finish, or when the door no longer matches the house.

Signs you need it

  • Peeling, cracked or blistering paint or varnish on a door that faces the sun or rain
  • Faded or gray wood on a stained door, especially along the top and bottom edges
  • Dings, gouges or dents from hardware, pets or furniture moved across the surface
  • Checking or splitting in a wood door, where the surface has lost its seal
  • A door whose color or finish no longer matches the trim or the rest of the house

What the pro does

  • Remove the hardware, labeling each piece so it goes back in the same hole, then take the door off its hinges and lay it flat
  • Test the old finish for lead before sanding, and set up the protection and ventilation the chosen method needs
  • Strip or sand the old finish in the direction of the grain, feathering the edges so the new finish blends
  • Repair dings, splits and gouges with wood filler or epoxy, then sand the repairs flush and clean the dust away
  • Stain or paint the door, then seal it with a finish suited to its exposure, letting each coat dry before the next

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Door size, material and number of panels, plus the number of sides to finish
  • Condition of the existing finish, including multiple layers of paint that need full stripping
  • Extent of damage, such as dings, splits, rot or delamination that need repair
  • Stain or paint choice, and the number of coats the finish needs
  • Whether the door is removed from the frame or refinished in place
  • Hardware removal and reinstallation, and whether the hardware is refinished or replaced
  • Testing and careful handling for older paint, which takes extra time

What a written quote should spell out

  • Door size, type and material, and the sides being finished
  • Stripping or sanding method for the existing finish
  • Repairs listed by location, with the filler or epoxy used
  • Stain or paint product, color, and the number of coats on each side
  • Sealer or topcoat type, including UV protection for exterior doors
  • Hardware removal, labeling and reinstallation, and any hardware refinishing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you strip the door or sand it, and why is that the right method for this finish?
  • Do you test for lead in the old paint before sanding, and what do you do if it is present?
  • What stain or paint and topcoat do you use for a door that faces the sun?
  • How many coats do you put on, and how long does each one need to dry?
  • Can you repair the splits and gouges so they do not show once the finish is on?
  • Will you take the door off the hinges, and how do you handle the hardware?
  • What is the warranty on the finish, and what does it require from me?

Red flags

  • Sanding old paint with no test or containment for lead dust in an older home
  • Stain or paint applied over dirty or oily wood with no stripping, which will peel quickly
  • No UV protection in the topcoat for a door that faces the sun
  • Hardware removed and not labeled, which makes reinstallation a misfit
  • A quote with no repair line for dings, splits or rot found during the work

What you can do yourself

You can safely refinish a door that you can take down and lay flat in a well-ventilated space, after you remove and label the hardware and test the old finish for lead. Wear a respirator suited to the solvents or dust you create, and do not use a heat gun near glass or in a closed room. Call a pro for a door still on the frame, a door with rot or deep splits, or any old finish that tests positive for lead.

Licenses and permits

Door refinishing is commonly done by painters, woodworkers, general home service companies or door shops, and it does not usually need a special license. Check with your state and local licensing agency for any rules on paint and lead work where you live, since older paint can carry lead risks.

Door refinishing questions

Can I refinish a door without taking it off the hinges?

Often yes for paint and light sanding, but stripping and staining are easier with the door flat. A pro can judge which way suits your door and the work involved.

Will refinishing fix a warped door?

No. Refinishing can improve the surface, but warp and rot need the door repaired or replaced. A pro should check the door's shape and its frame first.

Should I stain or paint my front door?

Stain shows the grain and suits solid wood. Paint hides the grain and suits many door styles. The wood, the exposure and the style of the house should guide the choice.

How long does a refinished door last?

It depends on the sun exposure, the finish and the upkeep. A door on the sunny side of a house needs more regular finish care than one on a shaded side. Ask the pro for an upkeep schedule.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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