A RECIPE FOR REPAIR

Restoring an entry that’s been abused is a big job but not necessarily one that’s especially expensive or labor-intensive. Here’s one approach.

step 1 Remove the doors and hinges, then fill the opening with a sheet of plywood with a temporary door cut in the center. step 2 Remove the hinges and soak them in water overnight in an old crockpot (not used for food) set on low. Most of the paint should pull a-way easily. Remove the rest with a scratch-free pad. step 3 Set the doors up on sawhorses indoors and strip them using an eco-friendly paint stripper such as Smart Strip or Peel Away. The chemical does the work: Simply apply the thick, poultice-like material, cover it with plastic, and leave for 24 hours. Remove the poultice and softened paint with a medium-width putty knife, taking care not to scrape or nick the wood. Repeat as needed, and then do the…

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Old House Journal (Digital) - 1 Issue, March/April 2025

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