How to Plaster a Door

Remove stain, sealer or paint from the door. These can be stripped with solvents, such as mineral spirits or paint thinner, or you can sand the door down with medium-grade sandpaper.

Clean the door with trisodium phosphate, hot water and a scrub brush. This removes residual solvent and other chemicals that may prevent the plaster from properly bonding to the wood. Rinse the door thoroughly.

Attach a stucco lath to the door with finishing nails. Laths are grids made of plastic or metal netting -- they are designed to help plaster bond to smooth surfaces, such as wood or drywall.

Mix the dry plaster in a bucket with water until it is the consistency of peanut butter. Test it by mounding a moderate amount of plaster onto a trowel, then hold it at a 45-degree angle. If the plaster falls off, add more dry plaster powder.

Apply a thin layer of plaster to the door -- about 3/8-inch -- and smooth it with the trowel. Create grooves in the plaster with a plaster rake by moving the tool horizontally or creating a crisscross pattern. Allow it to dry for four to eight hours or until the it resists denting when you press it with your thumb.

Apply a second thin layer. It only needs to be about 1/4-inch thick. Once you have applied the plaster, keep it smooth or add texture by moving a finishing trowel over it in different patterns until you reach the desired effect. Allow it to dry overnight.