How to Refinish Doors Damaged by a Dog

Man's best friend has two ways to let you know he wants to go outside: barking at the door and scratching on the door. If your dog is a scratcher, the stained finish on your door will eventually show the damage from being repeatedly scratched. Refinishing a damaged door is a project most dog owners can manage, and it can make your door look like new.

Rubber gloves
Organic-vapor respirator
Two 3-inch stain brushes
Methylene chloride
Paint scraper
00 steel wool
Stripping pads
120-grit sandpaper
Denatured alcohol
Wood stain

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the door from its hinges and place it on a horizontal surface, damaged side up. Wipe the door down with a soft, clean cloth.
- 2
  Put the rubber gloves and respirator on to protect yourself from chemicals. Pour a small amount of methylene chloride on the door and use the brush to spread the chemical over the door in as few strokes as possible. Excessive brushing interferes with the stripping power of the methylene chloride.
- 3
  Wait three minutes, then scrape the old finish off with the paint scraper. Use the stripping pads and steel wool to remove old stain from corners and grooves.
- 4
  Scrub the surface of the door with a stripping pad saturated with denatured alcohol to neutralize the effects of the stripper. Let the door dry for two hours. Sand the surface of the door with the sandpaper. Wipe the door with a clean, dry cloth.
- 5
  Dip the stain brush in the wood stain and brush the stain onto the door, brushing with the grain in long, sweeping motions. Wait 15 minutes for the stain to penetrate, then wipe off any leftover stain with a rag.

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