Exterior Painting · Jul 2022
Front door refinished
Front door refinished. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Jul 2022. This exterior painting project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Weathered Rustic Wood Front Door and Sidelights Stripped and Restained a Rich Mahogany
This rustic wood entry door sits under a red brick arch with matching sidelights. The before photos show heavy sun and weather damage. The finish has worn through in pale patches, dark blotches and gray streaks cover the lower panels, and the wood around the speakeasy grille looks dry. The iron grilles, clavos, and dark bronze handle set were all still in good shape. In progress, the hardware is off, the glass is covered with green tape, and paper masks the cream frame and brick. One photo shows the door sanded back to bare, light tan wood with the distressed marks still visible. Another shows fresh stain and finish going on in a deep reddish brown. In the after photos, the door and sidelights share an even mahogany color with a glossy clear coat. The iron grilles and handle are back in place, and the cream frame and brick look clean. The photos were taken in Jul 2022.
How We Restored This Stained Front Door
- We removed the speakeasy grille, sidelight grilles, and handle set, then taped the glass and covered the brick, frame, and porch floor with paper and drop cloths.
- The old, failing finish was stripped and sanded down to bare wood, taking care to keep the distressed marks and wood texture that give this door its character.
- After sanding, we cleaned off all dust and checked for gray, weathered spots, sanding again where needed so the stain would absorb evenly across every panel.
- A deep reddish brown stain was applied to the door and both sidelights, then wiped to an even color so the grain and distressing still show through.
- We brushed on several coats of exterior clear finish, letting each coat dry before the next, to protect the stain from sun and rain on this exposed entry.
- When the finish was dry to the touch, we reinstalled the iron grilles and handle set, pulled the tape and paper, and cleaned the glass and brick.
Paint Colors to Pair with a Mahogany Stained Front Door
This was a stain job, so these are similar paint colors to consider for the door frame and nearby trim, not exact matches to anything used here.
Sherwin-Williams Creamy SW 7012
A warm cream close to this door frame and sidelight trim, soft enough to sit beside red brick and a reddish wood door.
Sherwin-Williams Dover White SW 6385
A gentle off white for door casings and porch trim that keeps a stained entry looking warm instead of stark.
Sherwin-Williams Van Dyke Brown SW 7041
A deep brown for shutters or a garage door that echoes the dark tones in this mahogany stain and the iron grilles.
Questions About Refinishing a Wood Front Door
How often does a stained wood front door need refinishing?
It depends on sun, rain, and how much shelter the entry has. Doors in direct sun may need a fresh clear coat every year or two and a full refinish every several years. A covered entry lasts longer. Adding a maintenance coat before the finish fails saves a lot of work later.
Can a weathered door be fixed without replacing it?
In many cases, yes. If the wood is solid and not rotted, stripping and sanding can remove gray, sun damaged fibers. Then new stain and an exterior clear finish bring back the color. Badly cracked panels or soft, rotted wood are the main reasons a door needs replacing instead.
Does the door need to be removed from the frame to refinish it?
Not always. Many doors are refinished in place with hardware removed and the glass, frame, and brick masked off. Taking a door down can help with edges and the bottom rail. The choice depends on the door, the weather, and how the home needs to stay secure during the work.
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