Category: BLOG

Oak has a cellular structure that makes it ideal for soaking up a variety of stains, though you should always prepare the item before doing this step.

There are several things you can do to get your oak project ready for finishing. Once complete, you will love the contrasting tones that oak shows when it’s stained and will be proud to showcase the item anywhere in your house.

Consider a Minimal Look

One of the great things about oak is that it has a lovely grain and looks wonderful in its natural state.

After furniture stripping is complete, you will see the way that your oak door, or other projects, has a beautiful look that you can enhance with your stain. Premium door stripping is especially important because it prepares the door for looking its best and being ready to hang when you’re finished.

Sand Properly

One of the most important things you can do to finish your oak project, including a door, is to sand it properly. The goal is to make sure you don’t end up with sanding lines, which can be seen once you stain the wood.

You will want to progressively move to finer grit sandpaper as you go. The more well sanded the door is, the better it will look when it’s finished.

Apply a Finish

There are two reasons to apply a finish to your oak. One is protection and the finish works by filling the grain so that other debris and gunk can’t settle in there.

This will help the project look finished for many years to come. The other reason is for the oak’s appearance. The finish will help highlight the oak’s grain and keep it from looking raw.

Final Finishing Steps

To complete your oak door, you can apply a stain to bring out the wood’s grain and create the colour you want.

You can also paint an oak door, something that is becoming increasingly popular on your front door but is also ideal for a home’s back door.

Another option is to apply a clear coat, which you can do with wax or oil. Shellac or varnish are other possibilities.

Finishing your oak is important for creating a door or other product that looks great and functions as it should. With so many options, you should be able to create the look that you love.

Have you been looking to protect your wood from damage while simultaneously bringing out its natural beauty? If so, the use of a high-quality treatment oil is an excellent idea.

Unlike other options such as stains or varnishes, wood oils are comprised of all-natural ingredients. Thus, they will never damage the underlying surface.

As you may have imagined, there are a variety of oils available and each of these is designed for a specific purpose. This is why the experts at Premium Door Stripping have put together an informative guide.

A Quick Look at the Types of Wood Oils

There are several different varieties which you can purchase. Here are the most common:

• Teak and Danish oil
• Linseed oil
• Mineral oil
• Tung oil

Determining which type to employ will depend upon several factors. For example, teak and Danish oils are known for their fast drying times as well as providing a highly resistant finish.

Linseed oil offers a lustrous finish although multiple coats need to be applied and they require a significant amount of drying time. Also, Linseed oil cannot be used on outdoor furniture.

Mineral oil is a common option due to the fact that it can be purchased at a local chemist.

It can be employed on everyday items such as cutting boards or cabinets. Tung oil is considered to provide the most stunning results as well as an amazing lustre.

It is best to expose the natural surfaces before applying any of these oils. This could involve stripping the existing paint or using a varnish remover for wood.

Please note that this is only a brief overview of the types of oils at your disposal. It is best to contact a professional in order to determine which represents the best option.

Due to the fact that exterior doors are engineered to deal with harsh elements, even the most robust designs can suffer from rot over time.

How can you address this situation in order to restore your door to its former glory? Let’s look at a handful of professional suggestions.

Determine the Extent of the Rot

You will first need to determine how much of the wood has rotted away. In some cases, severe damage may require that an entire section (such as a panel or a portion of the frame should be replaced).

Assuming that you have found the extent of the damage, allow the wood to thoroughly dry before moving on.

Remove Any Loose Wood or Paint

Efficient tools for paint stripping can be used to remove any loose wood that has rotted as well as nearby paint that may no longer be supported.

Be sure to adequately deal with this debris, as a bonding agent will not properly adhere if any remains.

The Use of an Epoxy-Based Wood Filler

The most common repair involves placing a malleable wood filler into the affected area.

Try to shape it so that it mimics the natural shape of the section. Allow it to dry for at least 24 hours and if you notice any shrinkage, another application could be needed.

Final Steps

When the bonding agent has dried, it can be sanded down until it is flush with the surface.

In some cases, you might also need to use a bit of caulk to fill in any remaining cracks. The affected area can then be primed and painted in order to achieve a uniform appearance.

The experts at Premium Door Stripping are always available if you require assistance or if you have additional questions, so feel free to give us a call.

Weatherstripping is one of the most important components of any door. This flexible seal provides a barrier against temperature variations, moisture, drafts, and even some insects.

While quite durable, there are times this weatherstripping needs to be replaced due to wear and tear. Let us look at how such a seal can be quickly replaced.

Removing the Old Weatherstripping

The most common type of weatherstripping is a rubber material that takes on the form of a flange-style bulb.

First, grip the weatherstripping with your fingers (preferably at an end or a corner).

Gently pull the flange away from the groove that is found on the door jamb. Repeat this process for the vertical and horizontal sections.

Clearing Away Any Existing Remnants

While most weatherstripping can be easily removed, some types may have been affixed in place with the use of a caulking agent or tack nails.

Take a look in order to determine whether these are present. If so, cut away the caulk with a utility knife or remove the mails with a pair of pliers.

Installing the New Seal

Measure the length of the upper horizontal door jamb and cut the new weatherstripping accordingly.

Press the flange end into the existing groove until it is flush with the jamb. Repeat this process when dealing with the two vertical sides of the door. Using a utility knife, cut off any excess weatherstripping that may remain.

So, we can see that replacing weatherstripping is a relatively simple task. There are nonetheless times when more complicated projects may need to be carried out.

In such instances, it is best to contact the team at Premium Door Stripping. We will be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have before tackling a future project.

Even the most durable wooden doors are subject to wear and tear over time. This will often be seen in the form of cracks.

Common causes include mechanical damage or temperature variations (particularly if the door is found on the exterior of your home).

However, many cracks can be repaired in order to avoid a more costly replacement.

What does this process involve? Let us quickly examine some professional suggestions.

The Initial Assessment

You will first need to determine the length and width of the crack in order to accurately view the extent of the damage.

This can sometimes be tricky if multiple coats of paint are present (these finishes may hide the extent of the issue). In such a case, it is wise to employ a quality paint stripper for wood around the immediate area.

Then, try to see whether or not the crack in question has loosened any nearby joints or panels. This leads us to the next step.

Repairing the Crack

You will first need to obtain a tube of caulk specifically designed for wooden doors. Avoid using silicone, as many paints will not adhere to this substance.

Look for a filler that is somewhat flexible so that it is able to expand and contract in accordance with any mechanical forces. Completely fill the crack and be sure to wipe off any excess with a damp cloth before it dries.

If the crack still exhibits a depression, adding fast-drying wood putty will ensure a level surface.

This putty can be sanded once it has dried, so be sure to allow at least 24 hours before taking additional steps such as applying a fresh coat of paint.

Please feel free to contact Premium Door Stripping for additional advice or if you require a professional paint stripper in order to tackle an upcoming project.

Does your home contain one or more louvre doors? If so, you might wish to change their appearance on occasion through a coat of paint or semi-transparent stain.

This will often require a bit of sanding to avoid any issues during the application process.

However, the main issue is that these doors contain dozens of slats which can be tricky to address.

Let’s take a look at how to sand such doors with a minimal amount of time and effort.

Addressing the Louvres Themselves

You should first remove any hardware such as handles and locks, as these might become scuffed during the sanding process. Begin by sanding each slat in a horizontal motion; being careful to get into the crevasses on either side.

Work from the top down to ensure that all louvres are addressed. If you find it difficult to access a specific spot, there are many paint stripping tools specifically designed to reach tight angles.

Finally, run your hand over each louvre to determine if any wood burrs are present.

Sanding Larger Surfaces and the Circumference

You can then begin sanding the larger flat panels of the door. Avoid using a motorised circular sander, as this could inadvertently damage the grain.

Pay particular attention to the joints between each panel in order to ensure a smooth finish.

The last step involves sanding the exterior edges of the door. Assuming that every surface has been addressed, use a damp rag or a small vacuum to suck up any sawdust that remains.

In the event that the sanding was intended to remove paint or stain, the steps above may need to be repeated more than once.

Extremely stubborn areas might also benefit from the use of a paint stripper or a varnish remover. Of course, be sure that the agents in question will not harm the underlying wood and always read the instructions.

Are you hoping to restore a section of crown moulding or a door to its former glory?

If so, this often involves stripping layers of paint that may have been present for decades. This can represent a somewhat involves process depending upon the type of paint, its age and the number of layers.

However, you will also need to be careful that the underlying wood is not damaged. This brings up an important question.

Could you possible harm the wood if you happen to be stripping water-based (latex) paint? Let’s examine some factors that need to be taken into account.

Issues with the Stripping Agent

While solutions such as varnish remover for wood are somewhat harsh due to the presence of chemicals such as turpentine, the majority of water-based formulations tend to be less damaging to the wood.

However, they may still contain solvents such as alcohol. This is why you should avoid allowing the stripping agent to remain in contact with the wood for prolonged periods of time.

You could otherwise encounter issues such as stains or desiccation (extreme dryness). This is particularly relevant if you happen to be dealing with a very porous wood.

Mechanical Mistakes to Avoid

Perhaps the most common form of damage results from accidentally chipping or gouging the wood during the removal process.

This is why it is best to work with blunt instruments such as a putty knife or even an abrasive pad (such as those manufactured by 3M). These will help to lessen the chances that a costly mistake is made.

Removing water-based paint from wood can be challenging and yet, the results are well worth the effort.

If you would like to obtain further professional advice, please feel free to contact a representative at Premium Door Stripping. We are always happy to help.