Care for Your Front Door

Sun, moisture, and weather damage the finish on a wood entry door. A good paint job might last for a decade, but a clear finish can degrade in just a couple of years. Check the door periodically and repair or refinish as necessary.

Time — 30 minutes for basic cleaning and touch up
Difficulty — Easy
Expertise — None
Frequency — Twice a year
Where — All US

Steps

1. Wash the door in spring and fall with a mild detergent.
2. Touch up scratches or chips in the finish right away, to keep the finish intact on the four edges, as well as the front and back of the door.
3. If the finish is dull, crazed or crackled, or the wood grain is raised, repaint or refinish the door. Remove the hardware, sand the door smooth with 180-grit sandpaper and wipe off the sanding dust with a tack cloth. You don't need to sand the entire door to bare wood; just sand enough to give the new finish some tooth.
   • On a painted door, apply exterior oil-base primer to any bare wood. Finish with two coats of oil-base or latex-base exterior paint. Coat the both sides and all four edges completely, following the paint manufacturer's instructions.
   • On a clear-finished door, apply two coats of clear exterior finish with an ultraviolet inhibitor. Coat the inside, outside and four edges completely, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Dark streaks extending up from the bottom of the door or door panel mean that water is getting into the door. Sand and repaint, or refinish the door.