Panel Door Renovation

JamesO · Post by **JamesO** » Tue Mar 17, 2020 7:36 pm

Hi there,

I have 7 victorian panel doors to renovate and I'm not sure about the best way to make some repairs.

The doors have all been painted at some point and I'd like to strip back and repaint them. A wood finish isn't an option as they've mostly been rehung so have repairs where the old handle holes and hinge cutouts were.

The doors are standard Victorian four panel doors with a nailed on beading both sides. Most of the panels are intact but the beading has pulled away from the stiles in places by as much as 5mm.

I understand about seasonal movement and that the panels should be free to move so I assume filling these isn't a good idea. Would a flexible paintable-caulk work in this situation or should I try and prise the beads off and put them back the right place? Any tips, suggestions and advice will be much appreciated!

Best wishes,

James O

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dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:35 pm

A lot of Victorian doors were made without glue and held together with wedged mortice and tenons. The panels are all floating and the beading is either moulded on all the stiles and cross rails or pinned on. Whatever you do do not take then to dip and strip they will be ruined. It might be possible to disassemble the door but I would be content in gently easing the beading off to make it easier the strip and then refitting with new panel pins.

DWD

JamesO · Post by **JamesO** » Tue Mar 17, 2020 10:49 pm

Thanks for such a quick reply DWD (great username btw!)

The doors are definitely wedged tenons but I've no intention of dismantling them! I shall try prising off the beads and see how I get on.

Thanks again,

JO

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Mar 17, 2020 10:55 pm

Use a wide blade scraper or the like to prise, you do not want to damage the beads. Take your time and it should come out nice. Strippers are bit crap these days, watch heat guns as there may well be lead in lower layers of paint. Peelaway is pricey but it works. Good luck, and come back and let us know how you get on.

DWD

Kevjhkdy · Post by **Kevjhkdy** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:37 pm

I have a similar question and was wondering if I purchased a four panelled reclaimed victorian internal door if it would be possible to pry the beads off, remove or cut panels out and replace with glass before re installing the beads? Would it just be the same process?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:02 pm

If they are proper Victorian doors they will follow a similar construction pattern. The main frame components will have molded beads for one side of the panels and pinned on beads on the other. You just have to determine which is which and gently prise them free to release the panels. Easier said than done.

DWD