How to Refinish a Weathered Door Sill

A door sill is the base plate at the bottom of a doorway. While developments in construction technology have led to sills that are made of plastic or composite material, the sills in older homes are often made of wood. The constant exposure of the sill to moisture and sunlight can cause the finish of the sill to become weathered and worn-out. You can refinish the sill, restoring its appearance and making it look like new.

Orbital sander
120 grit sandpaper
Hammer
Wood chisel
Wood putty
220 grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Exterior-grade stain
Paint brush

Instructions

- 1
  Sand the surface of the sill using an orbital sander and 120 grit sandpaper until you remove the original finish.
- 2
  Examine the wood for signs of rot. If the rot is limited to small areas near the surface, remove it with a wood chisel then patch the area with wood putty. If the rot covers a large area, or goes through the entire sill, you'll need to replace the sill.
- 3
  Sand the sill with 220 grit sandpaper until it is smooth, then wipe it down with a tack cloth to remove dust from the surface.
- 4
  Apply the new stain to the sill, using smooth broad strokes lengthwise over the sill. Allow the stain to dry, then add a second coat. Use an exterior-grade stain on the sill.

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