Repainting A Chipped Wood Door Frame Before Removing Old Chipped Paint
Repainting the walls of a room doesn't do much good if the door frame still has an aged, dingy, and chipped appearance. Happily, it's not strictly required to remove or sand the old paint off in order to fix a damaged door frame. Only stray paint and thickened corner paint, which could make the door frame lose its woodworking details, must be removed. Although while the labor is painstaking, it is not as involved as completely stripping off the paint and beginning over. Your home will feel homier and more elegant with painted wood trim. Yet paint tends to chip no matter how careful you are. Your wood trim paint chip repair doesn't have to be a time-consuming weekend undertaking. The easier and quicker it is to solve the issue the earlier you identify it. There are various microclimates in the Bay Area, so if you live in one where it rains frequently, you should wait for a dry day with temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit so the paint will dry correctly. Deep chips that have impacted the wood itself require wood filler to create an even surface, while paint-only chips can be quickly rectified.
Thing's Needed
- Duct Tape
- Carbide Scraper
- Putty Knife
- Spackling Paste Or Wood Putty
- Paintbrushes
- Primer & Paint
Step 1: Remove Peeling Or Chipped Paint
Cut a lengthy piece of duct tape from the roll, then apply it to the door frame. Check for weak, old paint that is going to come off by pulling the tape back. Apply the tape in successive layers until the entire door frame's surface has been examined. With a carbide scraper, remove paint that is flaking or chipping.
Step 2: Remove Any Thick Globs Using A Putty Knife
Use a putty knife to remove any thick globs that may have developed on the narrow ledges produced by the door frame's woodworking elements. The clarity of the woodwork is diminished when additional paint is applied over these previously obstructed areas.
Step 3: Fix Any Cracks Or Holes Caused By Chipped Wood
Using spackling paste or wood putty, fix any cracks or holes caused by chipped wood rather than chipped paint. Work the filler into the crack or hole with a putty knife. Using a hand sanding block covered in fine-grit sandpaper, sand the filler down until it matches the wood's surface. Before using paint or primer on the filler, give it at least three hours to dry, or as the manufacturer has instructed.
Step 4: Thoroughly Clean The Door Frame
The sanding block should be used to sand the places where the paint is chipping and peeling, both to remove any leftover loose paint and to level out any raised edges. Use a moist rag to thoroughly clean the door frame. While this area collects dust and is rarely cleaned, pay special attention to the top rim of the frame. Before applying any paint or primer, make sure the door frame is free of dust, filth, and paint residue. Let any water dry completely before continuing.
Step 5: Prime The Door First Before Applying Paint
If you plan to paint the door with a color that is lighter than the current hue, prime the door first. Otherwise, merely paint the door frame's exposed filler or wood with primer. Take a paintbrush and make uniform, smooth strokes that all move in the same direction, such as side to side or up and down. Before applying paint, give the primer six to eight hours to dry, or as the manufacturer may specify. After the primer has cured, apply a coat of paint with the same brushing motion. Apply a second layer when the first has dried.