What can we do with this door?

Deana
by Deana

My husband found this little gem at a re store ,I just love it, it looks like it has been used outside in Maybe a garage or something similar. Looks like chemicals were spilled on it I'm not sure what kind, but trying to figure out whether to sand it all down, varnish or maybe do a distressed look, etc I would love some ideas.

  15 answers
  • Gk Gk on Feb 22, 2019

    Hello Deana! It's hard to know from looking at the pictures whether the stains are oily. It looks like it could be a wood stain that got on the front. Ha--trying to take the lid off the can and the can flew across the room! The stains on the top are different. I would take the door and hardware off and try some sanding to see how much of the stain you can eliminate. Start with a medium grit sandpaper and then switch to fine sandpaper. I think you could eliminate most of the stains by sanding. You could always stain with a darker stain to cover up any stains that didn't come out and then use poly. Chalk paint would also be a good idea for this. Regardless of whether you use new stain or paint this will loook great when you get done! Nice find!

  • Emily Emily on Feb 22, 2019

    I would clean it thoroughly, hang it on the wall and use for spices, small pieces of china. You could paint or not as you choose. Or you could hang it in or near a bathroom for all those extra things that accumulate. IMHO it would be more attractive and useful if hung on a wall.

    • Vickie Vickie on Feb 23, 2019

      Only guessing but it seems much larger than what you’re suggesting??.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Feb 22, 2019

    I would clean it, sand it and prime and paint.

  • Joanne Joanne on Feb 23, 2019

    The top looks like a form of butcher block. depending on how tall the cabinet is if it can be seen you could sand and clearcoat. You could add some short feet also. It does not seem to have a beautiful grain on the front so you could paint it a deep color to match where you are using it. sanding it could also be a option and stain it a dark color. inside you could sand the dirt off and apply wallpaper or fabric and mod podge with a nice print and clear coat for durability. You could also use fabric on the cabinet panels. The shelves do not look like they have any finish on them (bare wood?).

    • 34354174 34354174 on Feb 23, 2019

      I noticed the butcher block look as well. My island is made from an old dresser and I painted it black and put a light butcher block counter top.

      So I agree with Joanne, try to save the top and paint or dark stain the bottom.

      But, this all depends on where or how you plan to use this.

  • John Biermacher John Biermacher on Feb 23, 2019

    i like the compromise of painting with a natural finish. If you can’t get the stains out of the top (for a natural finish) perhaps you can flip it over. Paint the base as others suggest.

  • LK LK on Feb 23, 2019

    Found on Pinterest

  • Judith Judith on Feb 23, 2019

    Why not try faux finishing it to look like marble? Some of the present stains look like they are there to stay.....so go with it.

    Brown marble with hints of washed out black would be fab.

    send a pic of whatever you decide......as it's such a cute unit.

  • CJ CJ on Feb 23, 2019

    I love your cabinet! I think you should start with a light sanding to see what happens to the a stains, and decide from there how you want to proceed.


    Good luck with what ever you decide! Please post photos when you finish it.

  • Oberlinmom Oberlinmom on Feb 23, 2019

    I like the look of the old stains. I'd just sand it down lightly to get rid of any areas that are rough. Then either add another light stain to add a little unity not trying to cover the stains just make the wood a bit darker. Then I'd seal it all.

  • Alice Alice on Feb 23, 2019

    also smell it to see if its oil - might still be an odor left.

  • Kelly Denoyer Russell Kelly Denoyer Russell on Feb 23, 2019

    Clean, chalk paint and sand the edges for a shabby look. Seal in a polycrylic or wax.

  • Deana Deana on Feb 23, 2019

    It doesn't look like the same cabinet at all, I took door panels off, going to put chicken wire or similar. Thanks everyone for all the help.

  • Lynn Lynn on Feb 23, 2019

    I would paint the inside an accent color. I would also remove the center panels and replace them with glass.

    Paint the exterior with a white tone and

    refinish the butcher block top.

    Its a beautiful piece. Good luck with it.

  • Em Em on Dec 19, 2020

    If you are just using the door. I would use it for an entryway table top.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Apr 16, 2021

    What a cute cabinet. I would strip it with Citristrip to see what I could remove. Depending on the condition at that point, I would decide if I was going to stain or paint it. If you end up painting it, seal it first, with a product like Kilz to prevent bleed through. Good luck!