preserving old, weathered door

[Joseph O'Brien]

Some neighbors of mine have an old door that has been left out in their yard for a few years. The door is solid hardwood, and appears to be quite old (it comes from a house that was built in the 1880s). Despite having endured rain and snow, it appears to be in good shape. I cannot see any signs of mold, rot, or splitting. The joints are tight and the corners are square.

Rather than watch a perfectly good door go to waste, I would like to use it as an exterior door into my basement. However, I want to make sure I prepare it properly. My plan was to sand, prime, and paint it. Can anyone recommend further measures to do make sure it remains in good condition?

Thanks, Joseph

[hallerb]

Sand, apply wood preserative, that absorbs in, than prime and paint.

check carefully for loose joints

[No]

Joseph - That may be all it needs. Any loose joints. if any, should be re-glued. If the door is warped it will be a real pain to hang correctly. If it is warped i cannot think of a good way to straigten it.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

You plan sounds good. Only difference would be if the wood is something really nice, I'd use a clear coat instead of paint. Spar varnish would be good and has UV inhibitors.

[PipeDown]

Allow the door to climatize indoors for a few weeks before painting. let the moisture adjust to match the indoor climate it will go into. Wood preservative is optional since you are using it indoors but shouldn't hurt. Make sure it says you can paint over it with latex.

[Mys Terry]

Many spar varnishes do not contain UV inhibitors. Traditionally, what makes "spar" varnish different from most other varnishes is flexibility. If you don't need flexibility, you don't use spar varnish, as it is not generally as durable as other varnishes. There are some very durable marine varnishes with UV inhibitors that also breathe. Those are the ones that really hold up. Some of them use the term "spar varnish" just because it seems to be a keyword for many people. It's a misuse of the term.

Heres one of the best:

Mys Terry

[k]

Joseph,

If that door is as old as you think, and if it's survived outside on the ground for a long period, you might want to see if you can determine what the wood is before you go painting it. You may have a door made of an extinct or rarely used species of wood, such as elm or yellow birch. Not a lot of woods last so long, expecially under adverse conditions, so you may have something special there.

Is it painted under the hinges, or where the hinges used to be? If not, sand down to where it's clear wood, then try putting a bit of eggwhite on the bare spot to bring out the grain and take some pictures. I know there's a website that has comparison pictures of wood grains and colors, I just can't find it right now. You can ask around for a local antiques restorer for guidance, but that door might end up as a valued replacement for your front door rather than the basement one.

Keith

[Newt]

Prior to sanding just make sure you are prepped for removing lead paint as there will probably be some there.

Newt

[hallerb]

sand outside, and clean up area using a drop clothe.

with just a door the amount of lead is limited.

be concerned if you have young kids, might be better to do off site

lead exposure is time and amount. on a small job do fast, clean up well, and bathe before eating etc

[Joseph O'Brien]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. This has all been very helpful information. I never thought that the door might be something special. I'll take care not to damage before learning what it really is. If it's something more than plain old oak, I'll let you know.

Thanks again, everyone.

Joseph