Stripping doors

[cox377]

Hello all,

I'm currently in the process of stripping the internal doors for my house. They are the original 1887 doors. They have the original varnish followed by an old white gloss. I wish to keep them pine.

I've removed the paint from one door all with a heat gun, then took the belt sander to it to give it a good finish but the sander belt is getting clogged from the surface residue on the door.

I've avoided dipping because I've heard the doors can warp and crack.. is dipping the only sensible option for a good finish?

Much appreciated

CoXen

 

[TheDec]

Well dipping the doors will be both easier and more effective yet the joints could open up, difficult to say really.

Dec

 

[Robbie uk]

Dipping is great as it gets every bit of paint off all the mouldings. Having said that it also takes all the glue out of the joints aswell. It can weaken the door also. Still the best option for a great job.

 

[matz]

if you dip, you risk the chance of ruining the door for ever. With dipping they will most likely be using a water based paint stripper. You can use the same stuff and do it by hand, its a messy and long job but is a safe process. As a guide, it will take you about half a day if not more to hand strip one side of a period panelled door this way depending on how many panels/ mouldings etc.

May be worth enquiring at a paint stripping firm and see if they can strip without immersing the door. I think some people use the stripper and a pressure washer to fetch the softened finish off which is a lot kinder than tanking...

 

[cox377]

thanks for your response guys.

I've been stripping it by hand. I plan to do this then try and take this residue off with something else before sanding to avoid dipping