How to Fix a Laminate Exterior Door

Remove the door handles. Open the door and remove the screws that are affixing the handle and latch plate to the door and remove the screws on the side of the door.

Remove the door from its hinges. Open the door and use a screwdriver to remove the screws that are affixing the door to the hinge plates. There will be a hinge plate at the top, near the middle and near the bottom of the door.

Lay the door on a work bench or atop a drop cloth on the floor, with the exterior side facing the ceiling.

Remove the old laminate. Position the edge of a putty knife at the point where the laminate meets the door surface and tap the tip of the putty knife handle with a hammer to push the blade forward, thereby separating the laminate from the underlying surface.

Wipe spackle compound into dents. Use a putty knife to smear the spackle. Smooth the surface with the putty knife and allow the compound to dry, per the instructions on the packaging.

Put on a face mask and protective eyewear.

Sand the door surface to smooth the spackle compound and to remove traces of adhesive used to attach the laminate. Use medium-grit sandpaper on a sanding block or a random orbital sander.

Remove dust generated by the sanding process with a vacuum hose attachment.

Wipe down the door's surface with a damp lint-free cloth to remove traces of dust. Remove your protective eyewear if desired.

Mix two-part epoxy compound in a disposable bowl. Mix the compound with a putty knife.

Apply the epoxy compound to the door's surface with a foam roller.

Apply epoxy compound to the back of the wood veneer strips.

Adhere strips of wood laminate to the door's surface. Apply strips at the top and work toward the bottom of the door, so the wood grain is vertical. Position the strips as close as possible without overlap.

Trim the wood laminate with a razor knife as it's applied to the door. Smooth the laminate with your hands, then trim away excess laminate to ensure a perfect fit around windows, molding and the holes for the door handle.

Allow the epoxy to dry and harden. Consult the product packaging for the recommended drying time.

Apply three to four coats of outdoor polyurethane. Brush an even coat of polyurethane over the entire door and allow it to dry before applying a new coat. The polyurethane will seal the wood, protecting it from the elements. Use a tinted polyurethane if you need to alter the color of the wood laminate to match the trim pieces. Allow the polyurethane to dry, per the directions on the package.

Hang the door on its hinges. You may need a friend to hold the door in an upright position while you run screws through the hinge plates and into the edge of the door.

Replace the door handle or latch. Run the exterior handle through the hole in the door and fasten it to the door's surface with screws. Repeat with the handle on the other side of the door, then insert the screws that run into the side of the door.