Refinishing antique doors
by
WhitneyGinea
+11
We have what appears to be original to our 1945 farmhouse, 5 panel solid core luan or veneer antique doors with glass knobs. We are very fortunate to have all of the doors to the house still here but, unfortunately previous owners have painted them white and then a very poor quality 'faux wood grain' on top. I would love to strip the doors and refinish them. I understand that sanding the veneer is not a good option, I know that sanding will just rip through the veneer. Anyone have experience with these types of doors? Most of my research is showing SOLID wood antique panel doors where sanding and applying stripper would be the norm but again mine have a type of veneer over the solid core. I don't have an extra to see what it would look like if I removed the veneer. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!
6 answers
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I'd use a heat gun to remove the paint, then a solvent for the residue. Use a fine grade sanding paper to smooth the surface and coat with the finish you'd like.
Adrianne C
on Mar 10, 2015
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@WhitneyGinea , if the doors have a veneer on them I would NOT use a heat gun on them that can cause the glue behind the veneer to turn loose. It seems odd if they are solid core that they would have a veneer, but if so it really shouldn't hurt to strip & sand them. You just need to be careful not to over sand them! I've stripped & sanded my entire kitchen full of cabinets that have a veneer on them, as well as a few pieces of furniture, & have had no problems with the veneer coming loose or sanding too deeply.
Katrina Warren
on Mar 10, 2015
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http://homeguides.sfgate.com/repair-lifted-laminate-countertop-29150.html Heat the surface of the laminate with an iron or heat gun. When using an iron, place it on the “cotton” setting without steam. Heating the laminate softens the glue and frequently is sufficient to reestablish the bond between the laminate and substrate. Apply heat until the underside of the laminate is tacky.
Adrianne C
on Mar 10, 2015
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If it is a solid core door. Do you know what kind of wood the door is made of ? Ya might want to remove the veneer and just concentrate on the wood. They used to use some pretty good lumber to make those doors. Maple, Oak ect. Good luck :)
Arthur English
on Mar 10, 2015
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@WhitneyGinea I have chemical stripped and sanded a couple of pieces of furniture with veneer on them. You would want to test sand a piece in a less conspicuous spot. Some veneers are thicker than others and I would venture to guess that in 1945 it would have been thicker than today's veneer. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Gail Salminen
on Mar 10, 2015
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Think it was quite common to use cheaper wood for the core, and a more expensive veneer on top to reduce costs. If you're nervous about sanding, then I would strip.
Marion Nesbitt
on Mar 12, 2015
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