Should I leave the old doors as they are or repaint them?
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Constance on Apr 16, 2014I personally love the old paint but, it's probably a good idea to be cautious about the paint containing lead. Maybe you could put a good clear polyurethane on it to seal it in. That's what I'd do. Maybe a light sanding to get the smoother texture.Helpful Reply
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Constance on Apr 16, 2014I love your idea of the hanging table outta old doors.Helpful Reply
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Teresa Schroepfer on Apr 16, 2014I love the old look, but seal it and you're good to go. I used to make hanging tables and use them for end tables in the living room. I loved this too.Helpful Reply
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Laura Jackson on Apr 16, 2014I would also keep old look!Helpful Reply
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Cheryl Ponzar on Apr 16, 2014old.....love itHelpful Reply
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Susan Sheffield on Apr 16, 2014Love the old look, but it would even better with a little freshening up with a little white washing over the current paint and on the legs of the bench to let the color show through and clear coat it. I love your idea.Helpful Reply
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Amy Merriam on Apr 16, 2014I may be the only one who feels this way but I just don't understand this current trend for flaking, worn-out paint. When I paint something..... I want it to look clean, and freshly painted. So I would paint these doors! But I LOVE the hanging idea...that's awesome!Helpful Reply
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Gilda Marconi on Apr 16, 2014keep it the old look. Put a few pillows on it.Helpful Reply
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Sherrie on Apr 16, 2014Love the old paint...I mould seal it also.Helpful Reply
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Lynn Zawojski on Apr 16, 2014Love them, but i would n't want the flaky chips in my food if possible, and ? of lead. And sitting on the bench may again leave chippy flakes on your clothes. I'd lightly sand and coat with poly for the outside... great job and looks fun.Helpful Reply
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Maria M on Apr 17, 2014I like the shabby, maybe put a thin glass top on the table.Helpful Reply
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Shirley P on Apr 17, 2014I go for paintHelpful Reply
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Mary Clark on Apr 17, 2014The table needs some thing so the paint chips don't get in mouthsHelpful Reply
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Mureleen Watson on Apr 17, 2014I'm different. I would clean them really good and decide what color of paint to buy. When it comes to eating off something, I want the clean look.Helpful Reply
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Michelle Hazelrig on Apr 17, 2014Love the shabby look, don't paint!Helpful Reply
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Katarzyna M on Apr 17, 2014Ll obe the old look but I would go with otherw people here and seal it, and yes pillows would also look good :-)Helpful Reply
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Johanna Eldridge on Apr 17, 2014At first glance, I thought you had made it into a swing!! (you still could, you know!)Helpful Reply
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Kitty on Apr 17, 2014white wash them then seal themHelpful Reply
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Debi Jones on Apr 17, 2014Shabby for knick-knacks, lamps, arrangements, etc. Fresh, crisp and clean for eating. Just sayin'.......Helpful Reply
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Lois Crivello on Apr 17, 2014Refinish both. Neither are antiques and both look to be of decent wood. Strip the paint, stain in your wood color of choice and seal.Helpful Reply
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Sharon Gass on Apr 17, 2014for this particular set up, eating and swinging, I would paint to match.....you could use chalk paint and a sealer, this would keep paint off your clothes and out of your food :) But they are really cute!Helpful Reply
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Patty Reisz on Apr 17, 2014Personally, I would paint them and seal them. They do look really cool!Helpful Reply
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Betty Mckinney on Apr 17, 2014I would go for the clean paint and pillows.Helpful Reply
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Cindy on Apr 17, 2014Make sure that isn't lead paint!Helpful Reply
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Karyl Conard on Apr 17, 2014Do what you like if you are the one living with!Helpful Reply
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Bonnie Ihrie on Apr 17, 2014If mine, I would scrape the paint chips down. Leaving the paint showing and partly wood. Then give it a good couple of coats of polyurethane wood protector.Helpful Reply
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Robyn Cave on Apr 17, 2014PaintHelpful Reply
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Linda L on Apr 17, 2014If you leave them shabby you would need to seal them or get slivers of paint in you tush and off your table. So you may as well paint.Helpful Reply
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Connie Cunningham on Apr 17, 2014you have a baby there and you don't know if there is any lead toxicity with these. Sand them paint them and seal them.Helpful Reply
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Accentuations! on Apr 17, 2014shabby is nice...but is that a lead paint on the door? I think I would get a mask on and give it a good washing, let it dry well and then seal it...preferably with a spray. If you are planning on dining at the table you will want it to be clean and lead free! Nice job!Helpful Reply
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Jodi Sanford on Apr 17, 2014I would leave it this way, put some blooming pots of flowers on it (or something similar). Then a tablecloth if you use it for dining.Helpful Reply
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Dana Shuster on Apr 17, 2014It depends on the whole look you have going. If everything else is all tidy and spiffed up, I would paint it in keeping with that style. If everything else is "eclectic," I would leave it shabby or minimally improve it by smoothing it a bit and sealing it.Helpful Reply
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Cathy A. D on Apr 17, 2014I would paint them and add a cute bench cushion on the bench. If you lije the distressed look that would look really good. Add some pretty flowers on the table and a couple of potted plants on the patio.Helpful Reply
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Kathy hodges on Apr 17, 2014I would do a red/white checkered top for the table, white with red trim on the seat and a few red/white checkered throw pillows. Neat ideal.Helpful Reply
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Jessica Mullen on Apr 17, 2014i would say paint them bright & cheery colors, don't need to match.Helpful Reply
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Nancy on Apr 17, 2014The table seems too low for the bench. How would you eat at that height?Helpful Reply
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Annette Brittain on Apr 17, 2014Definitely shabbyHelpful Reply
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Hazel Witzgall on Apr 17, 2014paint themHelpful Reply
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Gloria Musgrave on Apr 18, 2014They look ugly and dirty. Paint them.Helpful Reply
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Rose Halloran on Apr 18, 2014I think I would scrape off all the loose paint and then clear coat with exterior poly.Helpful Reply
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Julie Sutake on Apr 18, 2014Be a good idea to scrape the paint, just because of the possibility of lead. Then do what ever you want with it. I think it is a great idea.Helpful Reply
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Stephanie George on Apr 18, 2014Paint them for sure. You'll be pleased when finished. Since it's a small project you could use leftover paint.Helpful Reply
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Mary on Apr 18, 2014paint them for sure. I agree with nsch the bench lookd even wtih the door how would you eat at the table???Helpful Reply
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Greedith B on Apr 18, 2014If you like the shabby look and you want it to definitely be safe for your lil ones, then you can strip it and then repaint and ruff it up to give it the look you want or just seal over the top of the existing paint.Helpful Reply
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Alice Gerber on Apr 18, 2014I would clean em up n paint them good, esp if u have children or finds who have children visiting. One nvr knows if there is lead paint on the doors or not...Helpful Reply
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Janice Staggs on Apr 18, 2014Clear coat.Helpful Reply
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Henry Menn on Apr 18, 2014I would just scrape any loose paint off, then seal.Helpful Reply
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Carol Brilliant on Apr 18, 2014Leave it, just put a glass panel on top of the table.....I LOVE ITHelpful Reply
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Dawn Evans Hallinan on Apr 18, 2014Just scrape and seal it, looks greatHelpful Reply
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Bev on Apr 18, 2014Definitely the table seems too low to eat at. Probably should raise the table. Paint or not to paint...your decision. For a cleaner look...paint.Helpful Reply
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Kathy Dillard on Apr 18, 2014If the table and bench will be exposed to rain or snow, you should paint them to waterproof them.Helpful Reply
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Ginger Scott on Apr 18, 2014I would paint it. It is an old door and could have lead based paint on it.Helpful Reply
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Mikki Cavallo on Apr 18, 2014Although they are beautiful as is, I agree with the lead paint. Plus looking at your house, it would blend better if they had a fresh coat of paint.Helpful Reply
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Julie Sims on Apr 18, 2014Yes, lead paint is a factor, however if you wanted the old look after cleaning, sponge on or rub the paint on! If it weren't for the lead paint, I would just make sure no one can get paint chips in the back of their legs or behind!Helpful Reply
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Julie Sims on Apr 18, 2014PS, it is extremely clever and perfect just the way it is!Helpful Reply
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Pamela Knott on Apr 18, 2014I love the old blue door and would have used it somehow standing up! I love old blue paint. But I agree with everyone that unless it's in an old looking garden with a shabby fence and wooden wagon wheels and old wooden ladders all around, I'd clean them up and paint them with waterproof paint to make them blend in with your house better. And you need a big center piece of some sort! Have fun with this! Great place to sit and chat!Helpful Reply
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Liliana Wells on Apr 18, 2014I am not a fan of distressed wood. I would sand, prime and paint with a waterproof paint. Good luck.Helpful Reply
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Debbie Hettinger on Apr 18, 2014use the table as a day bed outside just put a small mattress or some big oversized throw pillows on it..Helpful Reply
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Jane H on Apr 18, 2014leave itHelpful Reply
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Paula on Apr 18, 2014clean with TSP lightly scrap in a safe area(may have lead [paint on them) then seal good stain=ARE YOU GOING TO PAINT THE TRIM IN THE WINDOWS THAT ARE SHOWING IN PIC IB RIGHT CORNER keep all trim the same beautiful door!Helpful Reply
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Patty Edge on Apr 18, 2014PaintHelpful Reply
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Chery63 on Apr 18, 2014RepaintHelpful Reply
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Jessie on Apr 18, 2014PAINT IT !! please.Helpful Reply
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Barbara R on Apr 18, 2014Even sanding lead paint can make you sick...that powder is very dangerous, you don't want to inhale any part of it. Seriously, I wouldn't deal with it, I'd replace it with new wood. Make sure you know what you're doing if you're not a professional! http://www.nchh.org/Portals/0/Contents/Guide_to_Working_Safely_RLP.pdfHelpful Reply
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Pat Croley on Apr 18, 2014Seriously....people used lead paint for a long, long time and we didn't die. We had asbestos in our attics and pipe covers.......we didn't die. You guys are just wusses.Helpful Reply
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Patricia on Apr 18, 2014@Pat Croley your incorrect people did die from both products. They ended up with cancer from asbestos and children ended up with brian damage from lead paint. Now as far as your project repaint. Have the doors test before you do any sanding. Good luck.Helpful Reply
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Julie Sims on Apr 19, 2014Even using a goop to remove lead paint needs to be done with a mask, its just a precaution and make sure no small children want to "help." Otherwise, I still think your find and idea are awesome!!!Helpful Reply
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Timothy Snyder on Apr 19, 2014I agree about the lead paint worries! especially out in the weather, the erosion of the wood would increase the chipping of the lead paint, and those chips might get into the food! Strip it to the natural wood, then stare building up random layers of paint of different colors, but sponging areas away to give it a weathered look! finish it off with a clear lacquer!Helpful Reply
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Starr Durrant on Sep 13, 2014Love it just how it is - creative and beautiful!!Helpful Reply
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Janet Friend on Sep 13, 2014If you are likin em leave all natural...Helpful Reply
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TMulhern on Sep 15, 2014I would suggest to paint them. It would look more attractive.Helpful Reply
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Martha on Sep 15, 2014Buy a lead paint test kit, use it, then decide on your next steps! Precautions may not be necessary. If you decide you like the shabby look best, use some polyurethane sealer to keep them from peeling further.Helpful Reply
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Lee on Sep 16, 2014People pay good money for them to look just like that.Helpful Reply
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Rebecca Bellew on Sep 17, 2014If you like the distressed look then put a clear sealer over it and it won't chip off or get dust on your clothes or food. If sealed then the lead paint problem will not be a problem!Helpful Reply
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P.j. C on Nov 02, 2014I didn't see this project until today, but wanted to offer my 2 cents' worth about the paint. Although many of us grew up in homes that had lead paint (as a child, my husband even melted & recast lead soldiers!), it's always a good idea to test old paint for lead. Children are more susceptible to lead poisoning, so it's best to be safe than sorry. If it IS lead paint--which was used until the 1960s---DO NOT scrape or sand it, even outdoors. Lead stays in the soil & can be dangerous, especially for kids or pets. The best way to remove lead paint is with chemical strippers. There are 'safe' formulas, but most don't work as well as the other formulas do on lead paint. I've stripped old doors & windows with a heat gun & sharp metal putty knife, while wearing a respirator made especially for working around lead fumes. Another method is a type of stripper that is covered with special paper or fabric, then pulled off. Lead paint residue is supposed to be disposed of properly, not with regular trash.Helpful Reply
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Maggie Jarrell on Sep 12, 2016Yes definitely test for lead. Maybe light sand to get flakes off. Coat of linseed oil and water base shellac to keep the pretty shabby look from deteriorating on youHelpful Reply
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