Advice on refinishing this door pls

Udhi · Post by **Udhi** » Sat Jun 15, 2024 8:28 pm

Hello all,
Long time lurker. This time, my search skills have failed me.

Can you help me refinish this door (see pics).

I think this door is some kind of wooden composite (seems to have a veneer on the face over a wooden core

[/img][/img][/img], the door feels heavier than it should). It has not been cared for in at least 15 years, and I have no idea what kind of finish it has on it now ( coloured varnish? stain?). If faces North, if that helps, well ventilated and sunlit.

Could you suggest a refinish coat for this, please? I prefer not to strip the door completely. I want to keep the door like it is now, in a translucent varnish or similar breathable finish after a rub down, rather than a strip. Many Thanks!

Regards
U

: door.jpg (49.26 KiB) Viewed 781 times

: ENT02.jpg (201.51 KiB) Viewed 781 times

Benjo · Post by **Benjo** » Mon Oct 14, 2024 2:43 pm

Sand and paint/re-varnish

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Oct 14, 2024 2:53 pm

This is an old post so the OP will not see it. For guidance, refinishing a varnished door is nigh on impossible to get looking right. Unless you can remove all the varnish, and this looks like a varnish with a suspended colour, recoating will look patchy. This is caused by the previous product soaking into the grain which you cannot get out. In a situation like this a coat of BIN to seal it and going over with a good colour paint is the best solution.

DWD

Udhi · Post by **Udhi** » Mon Oct 14, 2024 6:02 pm

Its never too late for advice. I sanded it down and just varnished it with Ronseal 10 year varnish. YES it was patchy and I have put on about 4 coats to reduce the colour issue...thank goodness for quick drying varnishes and hot days!

I did consider an opaque coat like Zinsser Allcoat or Sadolin but chickened out!

Thanks again

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Oct 14, 2024 7:34 pm

Did you use a clear coat or coloured varnish? The coloured varnish lays on top and it is more opaque and covers the latent patchiness that becomes apparent with clear. Of course, it does not matter, the main thing is if you are happy with it.

DWD

Udhi · Post by **Udhi** » Tue Oct 15, 2024 7:13 am

I am sure that it was Pine tinted, the mould marks are (less) visible and the sun damaged bits (white/grey streaks) are practically gone.