Remove old wood door paint. We paint a wooden door with our own hands: the secrets of specialists. Iron door cleaning

During the period of repair work, it often turns out that the old door does not fit the new environment either in style or in color. But it does not always require replacement. If the canvas is made soundly, of high quality, you don’t need to get rid of an expensive item and spend money on acquiring a new one, but only carry out procedures for cleaning it and preparing it for new staining. This takes into account the material from which the doors are made, the depth of penetration of the old paint layer into the canvas, the number of layers.

Bringing the old door back to life

The easiest option, but costly, would be to replace the old, shabby wooden door leaf with a new one made of MDF, hollow inside. A zealous owner will not throw away the old door, but will begin to restore it if:

  • it is made of oak or other dense material that will last for several decades;
  • has dimensions that differ from those accepted by the standard, especially in stalins with high ceilings. The manufacture of such a canvas to order will cost the owner a pretty penny;
  • has an unusual decoration with carvings;
  • the owners are creative people who can make an art object out of an ordinary wooden door.

Cleaning the door of paint

The procedure for bringing an old wooden product into proper form is conditionally divided into several stages:

  • removal of the old layer;
  • door repair, preparation of its canvas for a new painting;
  • fresh paint.

In order for the product to receive a new life, to serve the owners for the prescribed period, there were no swelling and delamination, it is necessary to remove the old paint from the doors. Among the various methods, there are several main ones:

  • thermal;
  • mechanical;
  • chemical.

Heat treatment

Heat treatment is carried out by directing hot air to the door. Such purification occurs when using gas burners, building hair dryers. The advantage of this method of freeing a wooden door from old paint is the absence of dust, but the disadvantage is that the surface being cleaned is more likely to ignite. Such procedures are carried out in the open air, with the use of personal protective equipment (respirators, masks), they have a tank of water on hand to destroy the possible occurrence of a fire in the bud. It is used in cases where there are several layers of coating on a wooden surface. Under the influence of hot air, the previously applied coating swells, it is scraped off with a spatula.

mechanical cleaning

You can clean the door of paint with scrapers, spatulas, brushes for metal. The door is removed from the hinges, laid in a horizontal position, with the help of improvised materials, a grinder removes the paint. The method is not effective due to dust, as well as possible damage to the wooden surface.

Chemical cleaning

It is characterized by obtaining a positive result, is in the greatest demand due to the speed of action of washing reagents, which, when applied to the old paint layer, soften it, thereby making it easier.

Attention!

Work is carried out in the open air or with a constant supply of fresh air due to the specific smell of flushing agents.

General scheme for surface cleaning and preparation for painting

In life, all 3 cleaning methods are used, since one is often ineffective. To remove the paint from the doors, it is removed from the hinges, laid on a horizontal surface, the handles and locks are unscrewed. To bring the door into proper shape, before painting, remove the old coating in any of the ways, grind the surface, removing small defects, chips, repair scratches, more serious defects with putty.

In order to qualitatively remove old paint from the doors, materials, tools and protective equipment are prepared:

  • solvent;
  • brushes;
  • spatulas;
  • gloves and goggles;
  • Sander;
  • wood putty;
  • skin of different grain sizes.

Protect hands with rubber gloves, and eyes with glasses, apply the drug with a brush, covering the entire surface of the door.

Types of washes

Paint washes are available in the form of:

  • powders;
  • pastes;
  • gels;
  • liquids.

From a wooden surface, first, with a spatula, remove the layers that peel off themselves, then, with a brush, apply a wash to the dense layers of the coating. The speed of action of the agent is several minutes to a day. When choosing washes, one should take into account on what basis the coloring composition was made, otherwise, if the solvent is chosen incorrectly, the idea to remove old paint from a wooden door is doomed to failure and leads to expenses for buying a new washer. Distinguish:

  • various liquid solvents based on white spirit are used to remove PF, NC, oil paints;
  • masters make a special washing paste, consisting of caustic soda and oatmeal. Removes water-based,. Such a paste is 100% effective in places with complex geometry with the presence of wooden curls, monograms. It is applied in a thick layer on a tree, waiting for the paint to swell, removed with scrapers, washed with water under pressure, removing an aggressive wash;
  • modern washes, which are gels that can soften the old coating in 15-20 minutes. With their help remove any kind of paint.

Attention!

The task of the wash is to penetrate the paint, soften it, swell, without harming the wooden surface.

Stages of work

Before removing the paintwork with a remover:

  1. The surface is wiped from dust.
  2. Evenly cover the painted wood with a brush, without going over the same place twice.
  3. The surface covered with a wash is left for the time indicated on the label, covered with a film for best effect.
  4. Soon the reagent becomes brown or brown, the paint rears up, it is removed with a spatula, disposed of.
  5. If the result is unsatisfactory, the procedure is repeated.
  6. The cleaned surface is washed with an aqueous solution of vinegar, the door is wiped dry, and left for final drying in a draft.
  7. After drying, the products proceed to puttying, sealing small cracks and chips.
  8. Smooth the surfaces with fine sandpaper. With a grinder, this procedure is facilitated. Level and grind the surface, making movements in one direction to avoid roughness.
  9. Dry rags remove dust, remnants of putty.
  10. The door is ready for painting.

Painting a wooden door

Suitable for painting a street wooden door is oil paint, because it protects the tree from the action of rain, snow, frost. Prevents the appearance of the wood beetle. Paint doors:

  1. With a brush. The paint in the jar is stirred, poured a little into a small wide container and, dipping lightly into the paint, paint the product, moving the brush in one direction. It is convenient to paint over small details and curls with a brush.
  2. roller. If the surface is flat and large, a roller is used to apply an even layer. To do this, the paint is poured into a special trough and the roller is slightly dipped into the paint, the object is painted, moving the hand in one direction.
  3. Spray gun. The paint is well mixed, if it is too thick, it is diluted with a slightly suitable solvent. Pour into the spray gun compartment, set the desired pressure and size of drops when spraying by test painting an unnecessary piece of wood. They put on protective equipment (goggles, a respirator, gloves) and paint, moving their hand with a gun from the bottom up.

Attention!

When streaks appear, they are immediately removed with a rag so that they do not freeze with ugly drops. Painting from a spray gun after 15-20 minutes is carried out again with incomplete painting of the tree.

Iron door cleaning

Entrance doors are usually made of metal. They are constantly exposed to the weather. Therefore, they cannot simply be tinted like wood. The paint layer is completely removed from them. For cleaning you will need:

  • acetone or white spirit;
  • skin of different grain sizes;
  • Sander;
  • putty knife.

Before work, the metal sheet is removed from the hinges and laid in a horizontal position. The colored layers are removed with a grinder, using different nozzles, depending on the thickness of the previous layer. Then the small remnants of the layer are covered with a solvent and left to swell. The swollen paint is removed with a spatula. As well as from a wooden surface, a colorful coating is removed from a metal door by thermal and chemical means. When using chemical washes, the preparation is immediately removed from the surface after the paint is removed by cleaning the door with solvent and water. The cleaned surface is leveled, freed from cracks and flaws, using automotive putty, in places of damage, then sanded by hand or with a grinder.

Painting a metal door

Entrance doors have a large surface, so they are preferred to be painted with a spray gun or with a roller. Painting starts from the top, moving down and trying not to go on the painted layers. After 15-20 minutes, light and unpainted places are re-stained. If streaks appear during painting and dry up, they are protected with sandpaper after the surface has completely dried and the entire surface is re-painted. The loops are also painted over in the desired color. Since the paint has a strong chemical smell that does not disappear for a long time, metal products are painted on the street or in a utility room with open doors and windows.

Attention!

Do not paint in rainy weather and frost. At high humidity there is no strong adhesion of the paint to the product, and in the cold the paint thickens and does not adhere well to the surface.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, experts advise that even with the complete removal of the old coating, use a new paint of the same brand. In this case, the owners will avoid possible problems in the form of small blisters of paint in different places. Then the updated product will not stand out as an unsightly stain against the backdrop of a fresh repair.

Have you decided to update the paint on the door? Why not?! But, to paraphrase a well-known proverb, if you like to paint - love to rip off the paint! Yes, this process is not very exciting, therefore, so that you can easily overcome it, we bring to your attention some of the most effective and popular ways to remove paint from doors. Method 1 If the old coating keeps well on the door leaf, then it is necessary to break its adhesion to the tree. For this, the thermal method is used, namely: take a blowtorch or a building hair dryer and direct a jet of hot air to the surface. Under the influence of temperature, the paint begins to bubble and can be easily removed with a spatula. When using this method, you must remember that high temperature can burn wood, damage glass (if your door has them), so use heating tools with extreme caution. By the way, the heating method is only suitable for wooden doors, but if you have a metal door, then read on ...

Have you decided to update the paint on the old door? Why not?! But, to paraphrase a well-known proverb, if you like to paint - love to rip off the paint! Yes-ah, this process is not very exciting, therefore, so that you can easily overcome it, we bring to your attention some of the most effective and popular ways how to remove paint from doors.

Method 1 If the old coating keeps well on the door leaf, then it is necessary to break its adhesion to the tree. For this, the thermal method is used, namely: take a blowtorch or a building hair dryer and direct a jet of hot air to the surface. Under the influence of temperature, the paint begins to bubble and can be easily removed with a spatula. When using this method, you must remember that the doors will damage the glass (if your old doors have them), so you should be extremely careful when using heating tools. By the way, the heating method is suitable only for wooden doors, but if you have a metal door, then read on ... Pictures of the door are presented on our page.
Method 2 This method is associated with the use of "chemical weapons", which are solutions of caustic soda or dimethylene chloride. This method requires special care in following the instructions written by the manufacturer on the packages of these solutions.
Before you start washing off, pour some of the solution into a plastic box and apply it to the door leaf until the paint starts to bubble.

Method 3 You can make your own paint remover paste. To do this, pour enough caustic soda into the water so that it stops dissolving, then add oatmeal (oatmeal). Apply the resulting paste to the door and allow it some time for the active substances to begin to act, especially in those places where the thickest layer of paint has been applied.

When the paint on the door has softened enough, you can pick up a spatula. A flat trowel can be used to remove paint from a flat door surface.

Remove paint from wooden surfaces carefully, without pressing hard on the scraper. In order not to damage the wood fibers, you need to guide the scraper in their direction.

On profiled surfaces and in hard-to-reach places, the combined or hook-shaped triangular scrapers will come to the rescue.

If there are recesses on the door, then a triangular spatula or a razor can be used to remove paint from them.

After removing the old paint, the door leaf must be treated with water or white spirit and allowed to dry. See pictures of doors on our page.

How to clean old paint from surfaces - a few easy ways

Removing old paint is often the reason why we take a long time to repair a particular piece of furniture or household items, and sometimes repairs in general.

This process is unpleasant and lengthy. Especially long paint cleaning can take place in those places that have been painted more than once - when removing such “layers”, seven sweats will come off. (take the same wooden frames that remember King Peas - after all, even after replacing them with double-glazed windows, they will always find use on the site, at least take and make the same greenhouse out of them, which a neat owner cannot afford not to clean to a shine before installing him in the garden.

Most often it is necessary to repaint doors and windows. If the paint layer is still strong, still smooth and has no cracks, it is enough to sand it and apply a layer of new paint on top. If cracks and delaminations appear on the old coating, then it is no longer suitable as a basis for a new coating, and it must be completely cleaned off.

This can be done in three ways:

by heating, followed by removal of the softened layer of paint,
sanding or scraping
chemical (using special compounds called washes).

How to remove paint using heat

The paint to be removed is heated with a building hair dryer (for which it can be used in more detail here), which works on the principle of an ordinary household one, but creates significantly higher temperatures (up to 650 ° C).

Modern devices allow you to adjust the air temperature steplessly. The old coating, softened by a stream of hot air, is removed with a scraper. There are not only electric, but also gas building hair dryers, powered by interchangeable gas cartridges.

mechanical way

Removing old coatings with grinders, scrapers or is a tedious job and provides good results only when processing even and smooth surfaces.

Eccentric and orbital sanders remove a very thin layer of material, but they create an even and (depending on the grain size of the skin) smooth surface. Belt sanders, on the other hand, are much more productive and can remove a more powerful coating, but they must be constantly moved, changing direction, otherwise deep grooves will remain on the base. This also applies to angle grinders.

For the final finishing of the surface, already cleaned of the old coating, it is better to use eccentric and vibratory grinders.

The coating can be removed from the wooden surface with a scraper or scraper, the blades of which must be sharp and without nicks. Convenient scrapers with replaceable blades.
Chemical cleaning of old paintwork

The washes used to remove coatings chemically come in various compositions. They are usually environmentally unsafe and can adversely affect human health. Therefore, before using the wash, you should read the instructions.

Washes are liquid, jelly or paste, diluted in water or ready-made. There are alkaline pastes that are applied in a thick layer to the paint being removed. Such pastes are suitable for removing coatings from profiled surfaces. Effectively softening the coating material, they "pull" it out of the recesses of the three-dimensional pattern. The wash is applied to the painted surface and kept for several hours. During this time, the wash is able to soften up to ten layers of the coating. Then the remains of the wash are removed along with the old coating.

Liquid and jelly-like washes are applied to the surface with a brush. With the duration of their exposure for no more than half an hour, one or two layers of the coating can be softened. If necessary, this operation can be repeated. The layer of softened coating is removed with a spatula, an ordinary hard or metal brush. The surface cleaned from the coating is washed with water or white spirit, guided by the instructions attached to the wash.
High pressure paint removal

Paint coatings on gates, fences, garden buildings often peel off under the influence of the external environment. Their residues can be washed off using a special apparatus that creates a jet of water under high pressure. Before applying a new coating, the base must dry well.

So:
Gas building hair dryers do not have an open flame, which avoids accidental burns of the treated surface. Special nozzle nozzles, forming a wide jet, evenly distribute hot air over the surface over a fairly large area.
When processing a painted surface, a belt sander, equipped first with a coarse sandpaper, is driven in the direction across the wood fibers, and having loaded a thin sandpaper into the machine, they work already in the direction along the fibers.
Orbital sanders can only remove a thin layer of material. They are good for finishing already pre-treated surfaces.
A belt sander with a narrow belt can handle hard-to-reach places. The width of this tape is 10 mm.
The angle grinder can also be equipped with additional accessories, including for rough grinding.
Scrapers and scrapers can only be used to remove old coatings from flat surfaces. Care must be taken not to damage the tree.
Liquid and jelly-like washes are applied with a brush. To remove the old coating from vertical surfaces, jelly-like washes are more suitable.
Ready-to-use paste-like washes are applied to the surface with a spatula, rubbing them into the recesses of the profiles.
When processing relief surfaces with a small pattern, water is added to the washing paste. In a more fluid state, the composition freely penetrates into the recesses.
Washes are also available in aerosol packaging. They are used for cleaning small surfaces. Work with such washes should be outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.

Removing old varnish and paint from surfaces before painting

Before starting the repair, you should carefully remove all coatings (paint, lime, and so on) that are weakly adhered to the surface of the walls, moreover, mechanically. For this, both a spatula and a regular scraper are perfect for you.

It also happens that in some places the old paint adheres very firmly to the surface, but at the same time its appearance is very poor, due to smudges and different thicknesses of paint layers, which over the years becomes thicker, sometimes reaching several millimeters. If such cases occur, then the surface of doors, window frames and radiators must be repainted.

But before you start repainting, you should carefully remove the old paint and only then the new coating will last a long time and its appearance will be aesthetic. Now there are a lot of tools that are very effective for such work. And you can buy them in almost every hardware store. The product is applied with a brush or alternatively with a spatula. Apply the product directly to the surface of the old paint. After a certain time, the old coating begins to soften and becomes loose. After that, the paint can be easily removed with a spatula or scraper.
After the old coating is finally removed, the surface should be treated with acetone or other solvent to carry out the degreasing procedure. Such a procedure does not take much time, and it does not require special skills. You just need to pay attention to safety precautions. If it happens that the paint is still difficult to remove from the surface using the above tools, then you should resort to using tools such as an electric hair dryer, grinder or drill with a special nozzle. But in principle, you should not worry, because it rarely happens that it is impossible to remove the paint using all the methods described, and you, in principle, can easily cope with this.

old door old doors pictures door doors pictures door wood processed

Sometimes, after repair work, interior doors need to be replaced or updated, but some people do not have the opportunity to purchase new ones or do not want to throw away the old ones. Designs can be made from a solid array, be carved, be of value. Then the question arises of how to remove the old paint from the door for further updating and fit it into the interior of the room.

How not to damage the door covering?

Cleaning the door panels from the old coating will require effort, especially if several layers of paints and varnishes have been applied. Having completed this time-consuming task, the result of applying a new coating will surely please the owners - it will give the structure an updated look.

If you neglect this stage of updating, the result can be unpleasantly surprising. The new coating will lie unevenly, repeat all smudges, cracks. All paints and varnishes are composed of chemicals, so it is not known what reaction to expect when two dyes interact in different products. Layers may bulge and color may not be as expected.

Having decided on the independent removal of the old painted layer, you need to determine the most appropriate method of carrying out the work. The choice of method directly depends on the material of the door leaf. Wood, plywood, pressed sawdust or metal require a different approach. The methods applicable when removing the painted layer from metal are not at all suitable for wood.

When starting to work on removing the paintwork, take into account the following parameters:

  • web material;
  • number of dry layers;
  • type of previously used paints and varnishes.

Considering all these points, it will be possible with less effort to determine the most suitable reagent or tool for removing the ink base. In addition to the work of removing old paint from wooden doors, they clean the surface and close up cracks. Before carrying out any manipulations, it is desirable to remove the structure from the hinges.

Only after carrying out the preparatory work, you can start applying a new paint.

Methods for removing paint from a door depending on the material

To decide how to remove old paint from a door at home, you need to determine the most appropriate cleaning method.

There are three types:

  • chemical - application of chemicals;
  • mechanical (instrumental);
  • thermal - exposure to high temperature.

Sometimes, in order to perform better work, it is necessary to combine two methods.

chemical method

The chemical method of removal is the most convenient and takes little time. This is a method without the use of special equipment, electricity. Suitable for removing heat-resistant coatings that are not amenable to heat.

To select the correct type of chemical reagent, you need to know what material was previously used. A consultant from a building supermarket will help you choose a special “wash”. Before using it, you must study the instructions, as well as protect yourself with personal protective equipment. When working with toxic solvents, you will need a respirator - be sure to use gloves, goggles.

What solvents are used?

For convenience, "washes" are available in different forms. This allows them to be used on any surface:

  • liquid reagents;
  • pastes;
  • jelly;
  • dry mixes for preparation of solutions.

To dissolve paint and varnish coatings, the following types of solvents are used:

  • based on white spirit for dissolving oil, nitrocellulose, pentaphthalic paints and varnishes from a plank surface;
  • products based on caustic soda or caustic alkali (dissolve acrylic and water-based paints).

Before treatment with a reagent, the surface should be cleaned of contaminants. The substance is applied for about 30 minutes, then the softened layer is removed with an iron spatula. If necessary, the procedure is repeated until the complete removal of the colored layer.

mechanical method

Before deciding how best to mechanically clean a wooden door of old paint, you need to acquire the necessary equipment. Machining MDF and fiberboard will require more effort than using a "wash".

Dry layers can be removed manually: sandpaper, spatula, metal brush. This kind of work takes a lot of time and effort. It is easier to do this with the help of electric tools that can be rented at a hardware store, from friends.

With the help of a knife with a spatula, paint is well removed in hard-to-reach places. Then, the canvas is processed with coarse sandpaper.

Precautionary measures

It is better to remove paint from the door leaf mechanically on the street. When processing with tools, dust is generated, so it is recommended to clean the surface a little, moisten with plain water. In order not to breathe dust, you need to stock up on a respirator or mask.

For mechanical cleaning, you can use a piece of glass. Be very careful not to cut yourself or damage the wood surface (it is recommended to wear thick protective gloves). Remove unnecessary layers along the wood fibers.

thermal method

The thermal method of removing the old dye is based on heating the layers until they soften. Since high temperatures are used during operation, this method is not suitable for flammable materials such as plywood. When working with a wooden door, you need to choose the appropriate temperature regime.

Expensive fittings, jewelry, glass are removed before all work is done so that they do not melt or otherwise be damaged. The surface is cleaned of dirt, dust, debris. Remove the paint at the moment when it softens and bubbles

Important! When using the heating method, care must be taken not to burn yourself on a hot surface, especially if a metal door is being processed.

Thermal heating is best carried out outdoors to avoid the appearance of a pungent chemical odor and toxic volatile substances.

Tools for the job

The following tools are used to heat the painted surface:

  • thermal gun (melts paint - easier to remove with a knife, brush);
  • hair dryer (construction) - used for wood, can be used indoors, the temperature is regulated;
  • gas burner;
  • blowtorch;
  • iron with foil.

The mechanical cleaning method, in addition to sandpaper, a spatula, a knife, a metal brush, involves the use of such power tools:

  • grinder equipped with a grinding nozzle;
  • Sander;
  • drill with a brush for metal.

For chemical cleaning, you will need a spatula.

Having figured out how to effectively clean a wooden door from paint, you can begin the processing process. These methods will help save on the purchase of a new design and ennoble the old one.

How to remove old paint from doors and cover with new as quickly as possible

In matters of repair, one of the important stages is the installation of a new door or the renewal of an existing one. If you have the financial opportunity, you can replace the old door, but if there is not enough money, then try to return the life of the old door structure. Read our article on how to do this.

Features of removing paintwork from doors

Painting doors is an alternative way to restore their attractive appearance. If there are several door structures in the house, then during restoration it is desirable to give them a single (or at least similar) shade. But before you start painting the door leaf, it must be carefully prepared. And for this you need to clean the old paint from the surface. You will also need to prepare the old door for a new painting, and only then it will be possible to apply a new layer of paint on it.

Do not be afraid to update old doors, because with the right approach to repair, they can become a decoration of any room. Remember the main rule - the paintwork should be applied evenly to the door leaf. Such an effect can be achieved only if the surface is properly prepared for the procedure, making its structure homogeneous. It is for this purpose that it is proposed to pre-clean off the old paint from the tree.

Compliance with the following rules will help you complete the preparatory procedures correctly:

  • First, try to qualitatively clean the door of old paint . No traces of the old coating should remain on the surface of the canvas. If this requirement is not met, then in the future the old paintwork material will begin to swell, and the entire surface of the updated door will be damaged. You will do all the preparatory work yourself, so focus on its quality.
  • After removing the old coating, the canvas must be leveled, removing potholes and small cracks. For these purposes, there is a special material - putty. When buying it, pay attention to such characteristics of the material as frost resistance and moisture resistance, as well as information regarding the temperature conditions under which the putty will retain its properties. There are varieties of material that do not tolerate excessive moisture and negative temperatures. This should be taken into account when purchasing.
  • A separate issue is the purchase of varnish or paint for the restored door structure. It is better to choose cans with such compositions with one serial number - then you can be sure that the paint will not differ in its shade.

There are several ways to remove old paint from a wooden surface. If the door was painted in one layer, and the paint and varnish composition still retained its attractiveness, then the surface is only lightly sanded and a layer of paint of a new sample is applied on top. However, this should only be done if there are no cracks or damage on the old coating. It is better, of course, to remove the old paint. This process is carried out in the following ways:

  • Heat the surface and remove the old paint from the doors, because it will become soft and pliable under thermal influence.
  • Another good tool for removing old paint is scraping or sanding the wood. This method is classified as mechanical. It is distinguished by its laboriousness and duration, but it demonstrates a high degree of efficiency.
  • You can also remove old paint by using a chemical method. It involves the use of special reagents called washes.

3 best ways to remove old paint from wood

mechanical way

One of the first thoughts that arises when looking at a layer of paint that needs to be removed is: “Yes, it will be the easiest to peel it off!”. And now the hands are already reaching for a grinder or a drill with grinding nozzles. We recommend not to rush and analyze the situation, because mechanical removal is not that inefficient, but it is not suitable for all products.

  • Can the product be taken outside? There will be an incredible amount of dust and flying pieces of the coating, and if you start removing paint indoors, then you will have to start a major cleaning later. Plus, you will have to work in a respirator and glasses, which is also not very convenient.
  • Is there a thick layer of paint on the product? Previous generations did not stand on ceremony with oil paint: they were tired of color - just cover the old layer with a new one. It turns out that on some Soviet doors, a layer cake of 4-5 layers of oil paint has accumulated, each of which is much thicker than the layer of acrylic paint that we use now. With the mechanical removal of such a layer, you will score more than one skin without achieving the desired result, and this is not only insulting, but also quite expensive.
  • Is the product stationary? Removing varnish from the legs of a chair with a grinder is a good idea, but cleaning a window frame or skirting boards that you are not going to beat off the wall in this way is not very good - because of the risk of touching a wall or window with a grinding disc.
  • Is the surface of the product flat? If the product has depressions or protrusions, then the mechanical method will not be the best choice for removing paint, as it will still remain in the joints and recesses.

It turns out that you can remove the paint by grinding if its layer is not thick and the surface is even, otherwise the efforts spent on removing the coating will not be worth the result that you get.

Sometimes for thin layers it is enough to rub the coating with a metal brush and sand it with sandpaper with a medium abrasive. If the surface area is small, then this is the best way to remove paint without special tools and substances.

Chemical method

Quite quickly and easily, chemical washes, which are sold in hardware stores, will help to remove the old layer of paint. Only they, of course, do not wash off the paint, but rather soften it, so you still have to work with a spatula. Typically, such a product is applied to the product with a brush or roller, left, depending on the type of product and instructions - usually for 20-40 minutes, and then the softened layer is pryed off and scraped off with a spatula. If the first time it was possible to get rid of only part of the paint, then the procedure is repeated, but the smallest residues can be cleaned with sandpaper.

It is important, when buying such a wash, to check with the seller or make sure for yourself that it is suitable for your type of material and paint. You can save yourself the hassle of looking for a specific washer for your type of paint by purchasing an all-purpose cleaner. Also, think in advance about whether you can leave the room for the duration of the wash and then ventilate it well or take the product outside. If yes, then you can take a regular solvent-based paint remover, if not, then it is better to give preference to more modern expensive odorless gel washes. That's just the absence of smell does not mean that they are not toxic: with any wash it is necessary to work with gloves, and the room must be ventilated.

From the experience of builders, we can say that cheap Russian-made washes do not do well with old oil paint if it is applied in several layers. With more expensive foreign counterparts, this problem does not arise.

If you have caustic soda, then you can not spend money on special washes at all: add a little water to it, dissolve the soda, and then mix it with ground oatmeal to make a paste. Apply the paste to the product, wait about an hour until bubbles form, remove the paint with a spatula, and then degrease the surface. Gloves and ventilation are also relevant for this method.

Do not use plastic containers and tools when working with a wash, as they may deteriorate from exposure to chemicals. Also, do not use washes if plastic is located close to the wooden product.

thermal method

The latter method is considered preferable for removing paint from wood, since it can be done quickly, easily, inexpensively and without harm to the product itself. It consists in heating the paint to a temperature at which it begins to correct and release gas. This will cause it to bubble, and it will be easy for you to peel off the old layer by prying these bubbles with a spatula. But what is the best way to do it?

Heating with an open flame, such as a burner, is not only dangerous, but will also have questionable results. Yes, the paint will start bubbling, but fire can lead to drying out of the wood, burnt spots on the product, or poor-quality subsequent painting due to resins released during the treatment with a burner.

It is better to use a hair dryer, but not a household one, but a construction one. Its heating is hundreds of times stronger, and the paint begins to lag behind the wood literally before our eyes: just have time to pry it with a spatula. Of course, it’s scary for an inexperienced person to work with such a hair dryer: if you accidentally point a stream of hot air at yourself, the case will 100% end in a hospital. But subject to all security measures, this method beats all the others! If you have a person willing to lend you a blow dryer for a day.

Strong heating, as well as chemical processing, is not allowed if the product has plastic parts that cannot be dismantled. Also, do not heat the wall with a hair dryer in areas where the wiring passes, as this can lead to damage to it.

Or maybe not remove the old layer at all?

Yes, it is often necessary to remove the old layer of paint, especially when the paint has begun to crack and peel off or when the surface has become very uneven and bumpy due to the multi-layering. But you don't have to go through the long and complicated process of stripping paint by choosing a new coat on top of the old one.

The surface will have to be prepared: the oil paint must be sanded, removing the bumps, then washed with an alkaline solution, such as soap, primed with an alkyd or synthetic primer, and then apply a new layer. If after grinding the surface is still not leveled, the product can be puttied before priming.

If you want to get a translucent effect with a translucent wood texture, then the paint will have to be removed, even if painting a new layer on top of it is quite possible.

You will need some skill in removing paint from wood, but once you figure it out once, you can easily repeat the procedure if necessary. How exactly you will remove the coating is up to you, but, you see, now you have plenty to choose from.

During the period of repair work, it often turns out that the old door does not fit the new environment either in style or in color. But it does not always require replacement. If the canvas is made soundly, of high quality, you don’t need to get rid of an expensive item and spend money on acquiring a new one, but only carry out procedures for cleaning it and preparing it for new staining. This takes into account the material from which the doors are made, the depth of penetration of the old paint layer into the canvas, the number of layers.

Bringing the old door back to life

The easiest option, but costly, would be to replace the old, shabby wooden door leaf with a new one made of MDF, hollow inside. A zealous owner will not throw away the old door, but will begin to restore it if:

  • it is made of oak or other dense material that will last for several decades;
  • has dimensions that differ from those accepted by the standard, especially in stalins with high ceilings. The manufacture of such a canvas to order will cost the owner a pretty penny;
  • has an unusual decoration with carvings;
  • the owners are creative people who can make an art object out of an ordinary wooden door.

Cleaning the door of paint

The procedure for bringing an old wooden product into proper form is conditionally divided into several stages:

  • removal of the old layer;
  • door repair, preparation of its canvas for a new painting;
  • fresh paint.

In order for the product to receive a new life, to serve the owners for the prescribed period, there were no swelling and delamination, it is necessary to remove the old paint from the doors. Among the various methods, there are several main ones:

Heat treatment

Heat treatment is carried out by directing hot air to the door. Such purification occurs when using gas burners, building hair dryers. The advantage of this method of freeing a wooden door from old paint is the absence of dust, but the disadvantage is that the surface being cleaned is more likely to ignite. Such procedures are carried out in the open air, with the use of personal protective equipment (respirators, masks), they have a tank of water on hand to destroy the possible occurrence of a fire in the bud. It is used in cases where there are several layers of coating on a wooden surface. Under the influence of hot air, the previously applied coating swells, it is scraped off with a spatula.

mechanical cleaning

You can clean the door of paint with scrapers, spatulas, brushes for metal. The door is removed from the hinges, laid in a horizontal position, with the help of improvised materials, a grinder removes the paint. The method is not effective due to dust, as well as possible damage to the wooden surface.

Chemical cleaning

It is characterized by obtaining a positive result, is in the greatest demand due to the speed of action of washing reagents, which, when applied to the old paint layer, soften it, thereby facilitating the removal of old paint.

Attention!

Work is carried out in the open air or with a constant supply of fresh air due to the specific smell of flushing agents.

General scheme for surface cleaning and preparation for painting

In life, all 3 cleaning methods are used, since one is often ineffective. To remove the paint from the doors, it is removed from the hinges, laid on a horizontal surface, the handles and locks are unscrewed. To bring the door into proper shape, before painting, remove the old coating in any of the ways, grind the surface, removing small defects, chips, repair scratches, more serious defects with putty.

In order to qualitatively remove old paint from the doors, materials, tools and protective equipment are prepared:

  • solvent;
  • brushes;
  • spatulas;
  • gloves and goggles;
  • Sander;
  • wood putty;
  • skin of different grain sizes.

Protect hands with rubber gloves, and eyes with glasses, apply the drug with a brush, covering the entire surface of the door.

Types of washes

Paint washes are available in the form of:

From a wooden surface, first, with a spatula, remove the layers that peel off themselves, then, with a brush, apply a wash to the dense layers of the coating. The speed of action of the agent is several minutes to a day. When choosing washes, one should take into account on what basis the coloring composition was made, otherwise, if the solvent is chosen incorrectly, the idea to remove old paint from a wooden door is doomed to failure and leads to expenses for buying a new washer. Distinguish:

  • various liquid solvents based on white spirit are used to remove PF, NC, oil paints;
  • masters make a special washing paste, consisting of caustic soda and oatmeal. Removes water-based, acrylic paints. Such a paste is 100% effective in places with complex geometry with the presence of wooden curls, monograms. It is applied in a thick layer on a tree, waiting for the paint to swell, removed with scrapers, washed with water under pressure, removing an aggressive wash;
  • modern washes, which are gels that can soften the old coating in 15-20 minutes. With their help remove any kind of paint.

Attention!

The task of the wash is to penetrate the paint, soften it, swell, without harming the wooden surface.

Stages of work

Before removing the paintwork with a remover:

  1. The surface is wiped from dust.
  2. Evenly cover the painted wood with a brush, without going over the same place twice.
  3. The surface covered with a wash is left for the time indicated on the label, covered with a film for best effect.
  4. Soon the reagent becomes brown or brown, the paint rears up, it is removed with a spatula, disposed of.
  5. If the result is unsatisfactory, the procedure is repeated.
  6. The cleaned surface is washed with an aqueous solution of vinegar, the door is wiped dry, and left for final drying in a draft.
  7. After drying, the products proceed to puttying, sealing small cracks and chips.
  8. Smooth the surfaces with fine sandpaper. With a grinder, this procedure is facilitated. Level and grind the surface, making movements in one direction to avoid roughness.
  9. Dry rags remove dust, remnants of putty.
  10. The door is ready for painting.

Painting a wooden door

Suitable for painting a street wooden door is oil paint, because it protects the tree from the action of rain, snow, frost. Prevents the appearance of the wood beetle. Paint doors:

  1. With a brush. The paint in the jar is stirred, poured a little into a small wide container and, dipping lightly into the paint, paint the product, moving the brush in one direction. It is convenient to paint over small details and curls with a brush.
  2. roller. If the surface is flat and large, a roller is used to apply an even layer. To do this, the paint is poured into a special trough and the roller is slightly dipped into the paint, the object is painted, moving the hand in one direction.
  3. Spray gun. The paint is well mixed, if it is too thick, it is diluted with a slightly suitable solvent. Pour into the spray gun compartment, set the desired pressure and size of drops when spraying by test painting an unnecessary piece of wood. They put on protective equipment (goggles, a respirator, gloves) and paint, moving their hand with a gun from the bottom up.

Attention!

When streaks appear, they are immediately removed with a rag so that they do not freeze with ugly drops. Painting from a spray gun after 15-20 minutes is carried out again with incomplete painting of the tree.

Iron door cleaning

Entrance doors are usually made of metal. They are constantly exposed to the weather. Therefore, they cannot simply be tinted like wood. The paint layer is completely removed from them. For cleaning you will need:

  • acetone or white spirit;
  • skin of different grain sizes;
  • Sander;
  • putty knife.

Before work, the metal sheet is removed from the hinges and laid in a horizontal position. The colored layers are removed with a grinder, using different nozzles, depending on the thickness of the previous layer. Then the small remnants of the layer are covered with a solvent and left to swell. The swollen paint is removed with a spatula. As well as from a wooden surface, a colorful coating is removed from a metal door by thermal and chemical means. When using chemical washes, the preparation is immediately removed from the surface after the paint is removed by cleaning the door with solvent and water. The cleaned surface is leveled, freed from cracks and flaws, using automotive putty, in places of damage, then sanded by hand or with a grinder.

Painting a metal door

Entrance doors have a large surface, so they are preferred to be painted with a spray gun or with a roller. Painting starts from the top, moving down and trying not to go on the painted layers. After 15-20 minutes, light and unpainted places are re-stained. If streaks appear during painting and dry up, they are protected with sandpaper after the surface has completely dried and the entire surface is re-painted. The loops are also painted over in the desired color. Since the paint has a strong chemical smell that does not disappear for a long time, metal products are painted on the street or in a utility room with open doors and windows.

Attention!

Do not paint in rainy weather and frost. At high humidity there is no strong adhesion of the paint to the product, and in the cold the paint thickens and does not adhere well to the surface.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, experts advise that even with the complete removal of the old coating, use a new paint of the same brand. In this case, the owners will avoid possible problems in the form of small blisters of paint in different places. Then the updated product will not stand out as an unsightly stain against the backdrop of a fresh repair.

The refurbishment is nearing completion, the finances allocated to renovate the home have run out, and some of the old surfaces do not harmonize with the new finishes. We have to update by improvised methods and make new from the old. The question arises - how to remove the paint from the door? There are several ways, but each has its own difficulties, and the whole process is quite laborious. But nothing is impossible for a home master equipped with a tool and knowledge of the simplest technologies.

Why remove old paint from a wooden or metal door surface?

High-quality painting is impossible on an unprepared surface, and the old painting was often applied to the doors in several layers, with bumps and smudges. And no matter how high-quality the new enamel is, the end result leaves much to be desired.

It is also important to recall what kind of reaction occurs between the old and new paint. It is not always possible to say with complete certainty what type of solvent or base was applied the last time. And when painting is done with a new composition, it reacts with the old layer. As a result - bald spots, cracking, curdling and other troubles. And then it becomes clear that it would be better to remove the paint from the old door.

With the next tinting of the base with a different color, sloppy strokes or a non-uniform color are often obtained, especially if a lighter paint is applied to a dark surface. If the paint is rare, then any other color is guessed under the new layer.

Multi-layer painting has another drawback - the doors close worse and worse each time, as new layers build up on the ends. It is not necessary to remove the upper and lower end of the door leaf, where the layer of old paint is strong enough, especially since these areas are not visible. In such places, grinding is sufficient if the type of paint matches the new one. All exfoliated areas and places with cracks require careful preparation of the door for renovation.

It is sometimes necessary to remove the paint partially, namely from the ends or only from one side of the doors, upholstered with leatherette on the outside. But still, it is a laborious process, and for an excellent result, you will need to make a lot of effort. The easiest way is to use a wood paint stripper, and a metal door is prepared for repainting a little differently.

Chemicals for effective paint removal from doors

The chemical method of removing paint is quite effective, the easiest way is to buy a special liquid in a building supermarket. However, this base (thinner) must be suitable for your type of wood or metal paint. On oil paint of a wooden door, a chemical directive intended for paint on metal will not work.

Tip: In order not to spend a lot of time looking for the right liquid, it's easier to consult with the store's distributor. As a rule, the more aggressive and effective the "wash", the more harmful, so it is important to follow all precautions.

Attention: Chemical "washes" of paints are harmful to health, regardless of the form in which they are produced:

After one or another composition is offered, be sure to carefully read the instructions for use. Perhaps it will be a highly toxic liquid agent that can only be handled in a respirator and work gloves. Or a store consultant will offer a ready-made liquid paint remover for a metal door. No worse than a gel or dry mixture of components that needs to be diluted.

It does not make sense to advise a specific remedy, it is easier to buy what is in the stores of this region. Paste and gel are applied to uneven, carved and profiled surfaces. A suitable reagent can also be selected from the catalog, it is also worth purchasing mineral kerosene along with them, which removes the applied agent with the remnants of old paint. Sometimes additional flushing of the surface with solvent, white spirit or water is required, depending on the instructions in the instructions.

The chemical reagent may not begin its action immediately, but will show the result in a few hours. Read the instructions carefully so as not to say that the remedy did not work. During the specified period, the "wash" will soften all layers of paint to a solid base. Only after that with a spatula can you carefully remove the door paint with your hands. An ordinary metal brush or any suitable device is also suitable.

Attention: Any reagent is applied to the prepared surface, from which peeled layers are pre-cleaned, which themselves lag behind and are easily torn off with a spatula. "Wash" is applied only to a durable layer of paint, this reduces the consumption of a chemical reagent.

Reminder: When working with reagents, wear protective clothing, goggles and a respirator, rubber gloves and closed shoes.

How is paint removed from a metal surface?

While a wooden door can be repainted multiple times, a metal surface will resist repeated repainting, especially if it is an exterior door exposed to temperature fluctuations. We have to update the surface - remove the paint from the metal door. It is removed with special or improvised devices. For example, a grinder or a universal tool with nozzles that can clean off paint is used.

The door leaf must be removed from the hinges before processing, the fittings and decorative trims are removed from it and taken out into the yard for further processing. To remove paint in the simplest ways, use a thermal gun (building hair dryer), a special liquid for removing paint, kerosene, sandpaper, a spatula and a grinder. There should be no illusion that this is very simple - with any tool and effective chemicals, you still have to make some effort.

Without a suitable liquid, it will be difficult to remove old paint from metal doors with one spatula or a hard nozzle. Using only one tool, it is easy to damage the smooth surface of the metal, and even a layer of fresh paint will not hide the defect. After processing the door for painting, it is desirable to grind the metal surface with a special nozzle or emery cloth, although this is less effective manually.

A sander is a great tool for removing old layers of paint, provided you choose the right attachment. If there are no other options, they install a head with medium spraying and work at low speeds, that is, at low power. It is important to monitor the process so as not to damage the doors. If the nozzle and the load on the tool are chosen correctly, then the work will not take much time. Only the nozzle needs to be periodically cleaned from dry paint, from which the head quickly clogs. The cleaner the nozzle, the more effectively it works on the surface.

When processing with a grinder and other tools, there will be a lot of suspension from the paint being removed, even on the street. Abrasive attachments clog quickly and require cleaning, so it's important to consider that this is a fairly "dirty" job, so it's done in the yard.

A thermal gun is also suitable for such work, if it is not at hand, then you can rent it or borrow it from friends before removing the paint from the door prepared for work. This tool melts the paint, which is then carefully removed with a metal brush or spatula. For the same purposes, a building hair dryer and a blowtorch are used, directing a hot jet to the surface to be treated.

Attention: Take all precautions, as the surface of a metal door becomes hot during heat treatment. Try not to touch the door with your hands, so as not to get burned, especially since immediately after warming up, it is most effective to work on paint that bubbles and melts.

Processing of the old painted surface with the help of high temperature is possible only for metal. If you clean a wooden door in this way, it can burn out. Stained glass windows also have to be removed beforehand so that the glass does not melt.

Tip: When removing paint thermally, the smell of burning and the pungent smell of chemicals are inevitable, so all work is done in an open area. It is not recommended to blurt out the paint on the balcony or loggia of an apartment building - take the doors out of the entrance to the courtyard.

It is advisable to warn family members and neighbors so that there is no dissatisfaction, allergic reactions and the likelihood of poisoning with burning through drafts in the window.

When processing with a grinder and other tools, there will be a lot of suspension from the paint being removed, even on the street. Abrasive tips clog quickly and require cleaning, so it's important to consider that this is quite a "dirty" job. Of all the "hot tools" for removing old paint from a wooden door, only a building hair dryer is suitable. But they also need to be careful.

Tip: Whatever method you choose to remove paint from old doors, there will be costs and little pleasant moments everywhere. Do not be disappointed and leave the work in the middle. There is a possibility that you need to change the tool, nozzle or temperature. In any case, it will be a useful experience. About how professionals work to remove door paint - video at the end of the article.

How to properly remove paint from an old wooden door?

Many people think that an old wooden door is not worth the trouble of removing reusable paint. But this is true for cheap interior doors, which are still found in old standard-plan houses. Yes, the frame upholstered with plywood is not of particular value, and it is better to buy a new door leaf for the design of the apartment. But when it comes to a quality solid oak product or a real masterpiece carved by a master, such a door “does not ask” for a landfill. With proper updating and replacement of accessories, it will serve for a long time. Perhaps the paint was already removed from the door in the old fashioned way - with a solution based on caustic soda.

Wood differs from metal, stone and synthetic surfaces by its characteristic texture, which is easily damaged when working with sharp metal objects. Care must be taken not to break the integrity of the fibers by tilting the spatula or scraper along the pattern on the wood. In those places that are milled, it is important to work most carefully so as not to damage the pattern or the convex surfaces of the pattern. In the corners they work with any wedge-shaped tool.

When working with chemicals, be sure to protect yourself:

  • work clothes with long sleeves;
  • respirator;
  • glasses;
  • thick rubber gloves.

When opening a jar of reagent and working with its application, it is necessary to be extremely careful so that chemicals do not get on the skin or in the eyes. If the drops nevertheless accidentally get on open areas of the body, they must be urgently washed off, and with signs of irritation, consult a doctor. And do not start working until you read the instructions - how to remove paint from a wooden door with the purchased "wash".

Attention: Each type of paint needs its own type of special chemical wash - the mismatch of the reagent with the surface layer of paint is the main reason for failure!

With any method of cleaning the door from old layers, it is recommended that all work be carried out in open space. When using an electrical tool, be careful to make sure that the carrying case is in good condition and that the mains voltage is sufficient to operate the tool. You can not turn on the tool at maximum speed, in enhanced mode. It is better to check the efficiency of the nozzle not on the main surface, but on the end sections - from below or above the door. With an inept hand, if the sanding wheel is rotated too fast, it is easy to damage even fairly strong wood.

Not every heat treatment tool is suitable for heating old paint on the surface of doors - it can ignite and burn out. Do not use a gas burner with an open flame, only hot air. A building hair dryer is suitable, where the temperature of the supplied jet should heat up the paint, but not destroy the wood. At the same time, specialists use nozzle nozzles that create a jet that distributes heated air.

Upon completion of the work, it is necessary to remove not only the remnants of the paint, but also the “wash” itself. Before painting with new enamel, the wood must be sanded to a smooth state. If there are cracks, notches and other defects, they must be puttied. Only after the oil paint has been removed from the wood, all defects have been eliminated, the wood has been treated with a primer, you can proceed to painting. The primer must dry completely, and only after that they proceed to update the old door with new paint.

From the power tool when removing paint, the greatest efficiency was shown by:

  • vibration grinder (removes a thin layer);
  • belt grinder (access to hard-to-cut places);
  • angle grinder (rough grinding and access to corners);
  • scrapers and scrapers (for a flat surface);
  • "Bulgarian" with brushes-brushes.

If you have any questions about removing paint from wooden doors, we recommend the video:

Items that have age have a special charm. If you have an old wooden door but the paint is peeling off, it's not hard at all to give it new life. It would seem, why mess around if you can easily buy a new one: a rich assortment is offered in finishing and building goods stores. But is it worth changing a solid wooden door for a modern product made of thin MDF panels, hollow inside and finished with a laminated finish, even if it looks like a “Milan walnut”? The existing product can be restored with your own hands. First you need to remove the paint from the wooden door.

Removing old paint

Why repair a door?

Before considering how to remove paint from doors and choose the most suitable option, let's think about why waste time and effort.

  1. Old wooden doors are of good quality. They are made of solid wood, very often oak served as the material for manufacturing, even if the sash is painted.
  2. Non-standard vintage door panels. In old apartments, there are often old doors, high, double-leaf, paneled. You can’t buy these in the store, and custom-made will be expensive.
  3. The door is beautiful. If you are lucky - and you are the owner of a door leaf richly decorated with carvings, throwing it in the trash will be blasphemy.
  4. Art object. If you are a creative person who is able to create a work of arts and crafts with your own hands, then a wooden sash is an excellent field for creativity.

From the above points, it can be seen that there are plenty of reasons for restoration and repair, but you can have your own.

materials

Theoretically, there are three ways to get rid of old paint:

  • Thermal. The thermal method is based on heating the old paint until it softens.
  • Mechanical. The coating is removed using various scrapers, sandpaper. Can be done manually or with power tools.
  • Chemical. The paint is treated with chemicals, softened and removed.

Related article: Projects of two-story houses

In theory, everything is simple, but in practice, most often you have to use all three methods, because chemistry does not dissolve all types of paint and varnish coatings, heating cannot remove the layer in the recesses, and the mechanical method, even with the help of a power tool, is an extremely laborious and dusty process. Therefore, do not rely on any one option. It is better to stock up on as many devices and tools as possible.

To implement a plan to update the doors, you will need to stock up on some tools and patience, because, most likely, you will not be able to quickly remove the old paint from a wooden door, even after looking at the video for detailed instructions.

Instruments

A building hair dryer is an indispensable thing for removing old paint. It looks and functions almost like a regular hair dryer. That's just the air temperature gives out from 100 to 600 ° C. Therefore, handle it carefully so as not to get burned, and in no case use it instead of a hair dryer. And vice versa: if there is no building hair dryer, then you should not try to use the usual hair dryer. You won't get results.

In addition to a hair dryer, you can use other methods of heat treatment: a blowtorch or a gas burner. These tools require special care in handling. You can easily overheat the area, and damage not only the paint, but the wood itself. In addition, these devices have open flames, so follow the safety rules. An infrared lamp is also used to heat the coating.

A cycle is a scraper with a metal blade and a handle. If it was not possible to acquire a special scraper, a spatula, or any other similar tool, will do.

You will need sandpaper with different grains. In addition to paper, special abrasive sponges are very convenient, especially if there are reliefs on the surface, for example, carvings. It is very good if you have a grinder at your disposal - using it greatly speeds up the process.