Restoration And Renovation Of Metal Entrance Doors, Including How And How To Paint

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Restoration and renovation of metal entrance doors

The most common solution both in apartments and in private houses is a metal entrance door. After some time of operation, its appearance loses its attractiveness, although the structure itself works perfectly and fully fulfills its functions to protect the house from thieves and retained its heat and sound insulation characteristics. In order not to buy a new front door, you can restore the existing metal structure. This will require much less money than buying a new door and a little time. There are several methods for restoring an entrance metal door and all the work can be done by hand, and how to do it correctly, you will learn from this article.

Content

• 1 What is door restoration

• 2 How to restore a metal front door

  • 2.1 Required tools

  • 2.2 How to paint an entrance metal door

    • 2.2.1 Painting the entrance metal door
    • 2.2.2 Video: painting an entrance metal door
  • 2.3 Other methods of restoration

• 3 What and how to wash the entrance metal door

  3.1 Video: cleaning a metal door

• 4 How to refine an entrance metal door

  • 4.1 Finishing slopes

    4.1.1 Video: finishing slopes

  • 4.2 Installation of platbands

What is door restoration

Metal entrance doors are very popular due to their high reliability, durability, beautiful appearance and long service life. If a high-quality design is installed, then it will reliably serve for several decades. During the operation of the front door, it is negatively affected by external factors, therefore, over time, it loses its original appearance. Situations may arise when the design of the house has been changed inside or outside and the old door does not fit into it. In such cases, there is no need to rush to change the front door, it can be restored, it is not very difficult and you can handle such work yourself.

Before deciding on the need to restore the front door, you first need to check its performance, determine whether it has retained its heat and sound insulation characteristics. In most cases, the structure remains fully operational, therefore, to update it, you just need to change the appearance.

It is much cheaper to restore a metal entrance door than to install a new one

When dismantling an old door and installing a new one, you will have to re-finish the doorway, and this requires not only additional funds, but there will also be a lot of dust and debris in the house. During the restoration of the door leaf, it is not necessary to dismantle it, such work is dust-free and you can do everything yourself. Depending on the chosen restoration method, you will need up to a maximum of 40% of the cost of the new door. If you have high-quality doors installed, then you should not rush to replace them, you run the risk of acquiring low-quality designs. Having completed the restoration of the entrance door, you get a beautiful and reliable solution, increase its sound and heat insulation characteristics, and at the same time save significant money.

How to restore a metal front door

There are many materials with which you can restore metal entrance doors, but when choosing them, one must take into account whether such works will be performed on the inside or outside of the canvas.

From the inside, the door can be restored with any material, but if there are animals or small children in the house, then you should not choose soft and easily damaged materials. To perform work outside, it is necessary to use materials that have high strength so that they cannot be damaged by vandals, as well as resistant to high humidity, temperature extremes and the negative effects of sunlight.

For the restoration of the outer surface of the door leaf, the following materials are most often used:

• veneer;
• laminate;
• MDF panels;
• wooden panels;
• coloring;
• self-adhesive film.

Required tools

Depending on the chosen method of restoration, different instruments may be needed, so you should have:

• grinder or hacksaw, they are necessary to trim the selected material to the size of the door leaf;
• pencil;
• measuring instruments;
• a set of screwdrivers for removing accessories;
• metal brush;
• brushes for applying glue;
• spray gun or brushes for painting the door leaf;
• liquid for surface degreasing.

To restore a metal door, you will need tools that every home craftsman has.

How to paint an entrance metal door

One of the simplest, cheapest and most affordable ways to restore an entrance metal door is painting it

Before starting the staining process, you first need to do the preparatory work:

1. It is necessary to remove all accessories: handles, lock, peephole, numbers, so that they do not interfere with further work. If the decorative elements cannot be removed, then in order to protect them from paint, they must be covered with masking tape.

   

   It is necessary to remove the hardware so that it does not interfere with the restoration of the door leaf

2. Surface cleaning. Rust, peeling paint is removed, this can be done using a metal brush or a special nozzle installed on a drill or grinder. After all, the canvas must be wiped and dried.

   

   The surface is cleaned of dirt and rust, after which it dries well

3. If there are irregularities, then they are sealed with an automobile putty, after which the surface must be sanded.

   

   If there are irregularities, they are eliminated with automotive filler.

4. At the last preparatory stage, the door is covered with a primer, after which it has dried, you can proceed to painting.

There is a large selection of paints that can be used to paint a metal door, they have different characteristics and costs. Before choosing a paint, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

The following paint can be used to restore an entrance metal door:

1. Nitroenamel. It protects the metal sheet well from corrosion and gives it a shine. The durability of such paint is low, therefore, its price will be minimal. Since the service life of nitro enamel is short, it is better to use it for painting doors from the inside or those that are installed in apartments and do not have direct contact with the street.

   

   Nitro enamel is the cheapest, but not durable option

2. Alkyd. This paint is more resistant to atmospheric precipitation and mechanical damage, after coating the door leaf it will reliably protect it for 3-4 years. It contains alkyd resins, so it takes a little time for such paint to dry, and it retains its color well.

   

   Alkyd paint dries quickly and retains color for a long time

3. Acrylic. This paint has good protective properties, is practically odorless, as it is made on a water basis. It is resistant to atmospheric precipitation and dries very quickly.

   

   Acrylic paint is water-based, so it practically does not smell

4. Graphite. In addition to the fact that it has high resistance to the negative effects of external factors, this paint protects the metal sheet well from corrosion.

   

   Graphite paint perfectly protects the door leaf from corrosion

5. Powder. This is an expensive material that is highly resistant to the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation and moisture. It gives the door a beautiful aged look. The main disadvantage of powder paint is that it cannot be applied at home. If you decide to restore the doors in this way, you will have to remove the door leaf and take it to a specialized workshop. The paint is applied electrostatically at a temperature of about 200 degrees, which allows the material to penetrate deeply into the metal and reliably protect it from the negative effects of external factors.

   

   Powder paint can only be applied in a specialized workshop

6. Automotive. You can paint the doors with automotive paint. It is highly resistant to UV, moisture and mechanical damage. You can buy paint in an aerosol can, with which it is applied to the canvas. If the paint is in a can, then to apply it you need to purchase a spray bottle.

   

   Car paint is resistant to mechanical stress and sunlight

7. Molotkovaya. This paint is most often used for painting armored door leaves. It gives them a roughness, and got its name from the fact that it produces a tone similar to the iron of a hammer.

   

   Hammer paint roughens the surface

8. Epoxy. This paint has a high resistance to mechanical and chemical attack, therefore it can be used for the restoration of entrance doors not only in a house or apartment, but also in auxiliary, technical rooms.

   

   Epoxy paint has high strength and long service life

Painting an entrance metal door

A well-painted metal door should not have drips or streaks of paint. If the work is done with a brush, then move it from top to bottom. Easier, faster and more efficiently, you can paint with a roller or spray gun. In this case, you also need to start from the top of the canvas and gradually move down.

The staining must be done in one go. Interruptions, gaps and transitions should not be allowed. The paint should be applied evenly and evenly. To obtain a high-quality surface, the paint must be applied in several layers and do not allow light spots to remain.

For a more uniform staining of metal doors, it is better to use a spray gun

If you get drips, then you need to wait until the paint is completely dry, after which, using sandpaper, all the drips are sanded and re-stained

The next coat of paint can be applied only after the previous coat has completely dried. It is much more convenient to paint the door leaf when it is in a horizontal position, so it is better to remove it from its hinges. Remember that at sub-zero temperatures or when it is raining outside, you cannot paint a metal door.

Video: painting an entrance metal door

Other restoration methods

In addition to painting a metal door, there are other ways to change its appearance. To decide on the method of restoration, you first need to find out what methods of door renovation are, their advantages and disadvantages:

1. Self-adhesive film. It is enough to purchase the film of the color you need in the store. The surface of the canvas is degreased, after which the protective layer is removed from the film, and it is glued to the metal door. This is a simple and cheap method that allows you to quickly restore a metal door.

   

   With self-adhesive foil, entrance doors can be restored quickly and easily

2. Cladding with laminate or veneer. Laminate or veneer is cut to fit the size of the door leaf. The surface of the door is cleaned of dirt and peeling paint, primed, then covered with glue and glued on the laminate. You can first glue a frame made of wooden slats along the edges of the canvas and install a laminate or veneer into it. There is already an adhesive layer on the veneer on the back side, so it is enough to attach it to the canvas and run it over it with a hot iron.

   

   To fix the veneer to the door surface, it is enough to run it over it with a hot iron

3. Wood paneling. In this case, lining or wooden slats can be used. They are mounted with glue. Reiki can be laid in any direction and get an original and unique solution. To protect the tree from the negative effects of atmospheric precipitation, its surface is covered with several layers of varnish.

   

   If the door is restored from the outside with wood, then it must be protected with several layers of varnish

4. Facing with MDF panels. In this case, the biggest problem will be hiding the end of the panels. The easiest way to do this is with a plastic profile that is used when laying the tiles, but it will need to be matched to the panels. Along the perimeter of the door leaf, the profile is first attached, this can be done with liquid nails, polyurethane foam or other glue. The first panel is inserted into the grooves of the profile and its spike is fixed with self-tapping screws. Then the remaining panels are inserted and fixed, and when the last element is laid, the profile is attached to the canvas.

   

   For the installation of MDF panels, you must use a plastic profile, which is mounted along the perimeter of the door leaf

5. Door upholstery. This is a popular way to restore a metal door, but it can only be used on the inside or on doors located in the entrance. For upholstery, natural or artificial leather is used, and foam rubber or izolon is used as a heater. This method allows not only to restore the appearance of a metal door, but also to improve its heat and sound insulation characteristics.

   

   Finishing the front door with natural or artificial leather allows it to be additionally insulated

How and how to clean an entrance metal door

Since entrance doors are used much more often than interior doors, they get dirty very quickly, especially their outer side, which has direct contact with the street.

To make the entrance metal doors look beautiful, they need to be washed periodically. There are different methods and means to remove various contaminants:

1. Removing greasy stains. To remove them, it is enough to rinse the doors with dish detergent. There are no abrasives in it, so the surface will not be damaged. Do not use abrasive detergents. If the doors have a wooden finish, then vinegar is used to remove grease, after which the surface is washed with water and a solution of soda.

   

   To remove greasy stains, just wipe the doors with dishwashing liquid

2. Removing traces of whitewash. You can remove such contamination with water, but stains remain and the procedure must be repeated many times. If you add 20 grams of vinegar to a liter of water, then the whitewash will quickly be removed, and there will be no streaks, after that, the canvas is washed with clean water. You can add 10 grams of kerosene or sunflower oil per liter of water, this composition also effectively removes whitewash.

   

   Whitewashing is removed with soapy water, but this must be done several times to remove stains

3. Removing graffiti. Since the outside of the entrance doors is freely accessible, they may be covered in graffiti. If the doors are powder coated, the graffiti can be removed with a soft cloth dampened in solvent. For MDF panels, you must use special tools, for example, Color-Eix or similar, which can be bought in the store.

   

   Any solvent is used to remove graffiti, but you need to be careful not to spoil the door covering

4. Removal of polyurethane foam. If the door is installed by a non-professional, then foam can often get on its surface. You can remove the thick layer with a knife, and remove the residue with a solvent, but first you need to make sure that it does not damage the surface of the door.

   

   Foam on the door is removed mechanically, and its residues - with a solvent

5. Removing traces of adhesive tape. If there are traces of adhesive tape on the surface of a metal door, they are removed with a solvent or alcohol.

Video: cleaning a metal door

How to refine an entrance metal door

After you have restored the door leaf, the front door can be further refined. This can be done by installing new fittings, platbands, as well as high-quality finishing of the slopes.

Depending on the method and material used to restore the doors, the appropriate fittings are selected:

1. Lock. This is one of the main elements of the front door, which is responsible for the safety of the house, so it must be durable, reliable and of high quality. For such doors, internal models are installed, which are invisible from the outside.

   

   For metal doors, internal locks are used, which are not visible, but you can decorate the keyhole

2. Door knob. This element, unlike the lock, is in sight, therefore, it must be in harmony with the design of the canvas, have high strength, wear resistance and reliability. For an entrance door, an excellent choice would be a handle equipped with illumination directed towards the keyhole. This solution will allow you to easily open the doors at night.

   

   For enhancing the front door, you can use forged handles

3. Peephole. It is also a necessary element for the front door, as it allows you to see who is trying to enter you without opening the door. It can be almost invisible, but there are models that are the main decoration of the door leaf. Even with a minimal budget, you can implement an original solution, for this you just need to choose the appropriate sticker.

   

   You can buy special stickers to decorate the door peephole.

4. Door knocker. This accessory is practically not used on modern doors, but if you like non-standard and original solutions, you can install such a door knocker. On metal entrance doors, it will perform not only a decorative function, but will also allow you to refuse the usual ringing.

   

   A door knocker can not only be a decorative element, but also be used instead of a bell

5. Stickers. There is a large selection of stickers with which you can transform and decorate your front door.

   

   There is a large selection of stickers with which you can change the appearance of the front door

6. Mirror. To beautify the entrance door, you can install a mirror on it. Such a solution will allow not only to decorate and transform the appearance of the canvas, but also is a convenient element, since you will always know how you look before leaving the house. It is always convenient, especially in a small hallway, when there is no way to install a mirror in another place.

   

   The mirror on the front door not only looks beautiful, but is also a practical solution.

Slope finishing

In order to give the doorway a complete appearance, it is necessary to perform the slopes with high quality. You can make them using the following materials:

• drywall;
• wooden, plastic or MDF panels;
• laminate;
• plaster.

When you create slopes yourself, the sequence of work will be as follows:

1. The surface is cleaned of debris and all cracks are closed on it.

2. If the wall is flat, then the sheets of drywall are cut to size and attached to the wall with putty. To install the panels, you will need to create a wooden or metal frame.

   

   If the slopes are uneven, then a frame is made for installing drywall

3. After laying the drywall, the joints are glued with a serpyanka and covered with putty.

4. The surface is primed, and after it dries, painted or pasted over with wallpaper.

   

   Slopes can be painted or pasted over with wallpaper

Video: finishing slopes

Installation of platbands

Without proper framing, the front door will not look attractive, no matter what material you used during its restoration. Platbands usually come complete with entrance doors. You can pick up such elements separately, they usually do it to match the door leaf, but you can also choose a contrasting solution. Fastening of platbands can be performed with foam or liquid nails. The best option is the so-called telescopic platbands, which are attached to the door frame using the thorn-groove system. Their only drawback is their high cost.

Platbands allow you to hide the gap between the wall and the door frame

There is not always the opportunity and the means to replace the entrance metal door with a new one. But if it has retained its characteristics, and only the appearance has deteriorated, then you can simply carry out the restoration. It is easier to turn to specialists, but you will have to spend additional funds. If you have a desire and basic skills, then you can restore or change the appearance of a metal door with your own hands. It is enough to choose the method of restoration, purchase the necessary materials and carry out all the work in accordance with the developed technologies. Do-it-yourself restoration of an entrance metal door will be much cheaper than installing a new one. Thus, you can make an original and unique front door that will not only reliably protect the house, but also be its decoration.