Stripping back over painted old doors

ShaShaSha · 13 October 2009 at 7:10PM

We live in an old farmhouse, and the doors have been painted so many times that most of them dont close!

The thing is, we dont want to go replacing doors costing a fortune - so what is the best way to get these doors to fit again, and tidy them up? Most need to handles and lock/closers aswell.

Hope someone can help!

Errata · 13 October 2009 at 9:34PM

Send them to your local dippers for stripping and look in your local architectural reclamation yard for replacement handles etc.

ahfh1 · 13 October 2009 at 9:48PM

Anyone know how much it typically costs to get a door dipped?

Errata · 13 October 2009 at 9:53PM

Probably depends on where you live. Pontefract will be a lot cheaper than Chelsea, for instance.

ahfh1 · 13 October 2009 at 10:01PM

Actually just found out, it's £18 per door in the North West / Yorkshire area.

They will also come and collect the doors (not sure if this is inclusive in the price, or whether they will go upstairs, or take the doors off for you).

Valli · 13 October 2009 at 10:03PM

just try one first to see if you're happy with the result. They can warp.
If you do it yourself please bear in mind old paint contains lead and is harmful...

for £20 a door then not bad IMHO because it's a LOT less work than DIY...

ormus · 13 October 2009 at 11:14PM

sometimes the process can strip the glue too. and warp the doors.

i prefer to use the heat gun and burn it all off. only takes about an hour per door.
its better to take em off and do it outside. less mess and less fume problem.

latecomer · 13 October 2009 at 11:45PM

Not to mention the fact that it can bleach the wood leaving it looking grey and lifeless......
I'd do it by hand every time.

puddy · 14 October 2009 at 10:20AM

my dad had a door dipped once and he still goes on about how it was a mistake and the door has never been the same since

hc25036 · 14 October 2009 at 11:32AM

Like all things, it depend if it is done well. We had all of ours done (old pine doors about 70 years old) and they look fantastic with no warping or loss of glue. As Valli said - try one first

ShaShaSha · 19 October 2009 at 6:36PM

With a young baby in the house, it would probably be better if it was dipped offsite.

We would probably re-paint them to freshen them up, not sure if my original question was confusing. But its just the doors have been painted so many times there lumpy and wont close!!

thanks for everyones answers

Stripping back over painted old doors

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