I am trying to take the old paint of the external door frame to get back to the raw wood so I can than stain it as looking at getting new external door as it is sticking it the heat.
Hi @margs333,
You can strip the paint from an external door frame either by sanding or by using a paint stripper. The sanding method is the most straightforward: use an orbital or powered sander and start with 120‑grit paper to remove the bulk of the paint, then switch to 180‑grit as you get close to bare timber, and finish with 240‑grit for a smooth surface; something like a detail sander will do the job. The second option is to use a chemical paint stripper, which will lift most of the paint off so you can scrape it away, though you will still need a light sand afterwards to take the frame fully back to raw timber. Either method will get you a clean timber surface ready for staining.
Remember to where PPE whether sanding or stripping, including a face mask, safety glasses, a long-sleeved shirt, trousers, gloves and enclosed footwear.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
I used the paint stripper but it has only taken top layer off, it seems to have about 4 layers of paint before getting back to raw timber doors i need to put another layer of chemical stripper on can sand it back as a better option.
If you're dealing with multiple layers of paint, chemical stripping will still be the easiest method of removing it. Sanding is effective as well, but it is a lot of work, trust me.
I'd suggest you reapply your stripper, allow it to sit for the recommended time and then keep scraping away at it till you're confident you're on the last layer of paint. This may take a few reapplications if you have many layers of paint.
You can then tidy up by sanding, which will save you a lot of manual labour.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
CCan you recommend a paint stripper that works better than others and can be used both indoors and outdoors?
This Tricleanium Paint Stripper is a good option that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
If you have an old newspaper or something like this masking paper, it is beneficial to apply your stripper generously, then cover it with some paper, holding it in place with some painter's tape. Once covered, allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before removing the paper.
Adding paper over paint stripper helps mainly because it slows evaporation. Most paint strippers work by using solvents that need time to soften and break down paint. When the stripper is left exposed to air, those solvents evaporate quickly and stop working too soon. Paper acts as a barrier that traps the moisture and keeps the chemicals active for longer, allowing them to do their job properly.
You can then use a metal paint scraper like this 100mm Sharp Edge Paint Scraper to remove the weakened paint, repeating the process as necessary.
The paint stripper you’re using actually looks like it’s working quite well. When there are several old layers of paint built up, sometimes three, four or more, you’ll almost always need multiple applications of stripper to get all the way back to bare timber. From your photos, it looks like you’ve already removed most of the top coat, and that’s typically only after one application.
Unfortunately, stripping a door frame that has been painted many times is a pretty exhaustive project, especially if you want to return it to raw timber for staining. Sanding is definitely an option, but even just getting through that first coat by sanding alone can take close to an hour, and that’s before you move on to the remaining layers. With all the different edges and profiles on a door frame, sanding becomes even more time‑consuming.
For your next round, you can certainly stick with your current stripper, but if you’d like something that’s safer for indoor use as well, Poly 250ml Paint Stripper DCM Free is a good alternative. It’s methylene chloride‑free, which makes it gentler and suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects. Even so, it’s still best to keep the area well‑ventilated. Open windows and use a pedestal fan to keep air moving.
Apply another coat, give it time to do its job, and scrape again. Once you’ve removed as much as the stripper will lift, you can finish with a light sand to take it right back to clean timber.
Yes How do youget the pink coating off the timber before oiling it
That last, pink looking layer is likely the primer coat. If the stripper is not working on it, then you'll have to sand it off.
I'd suggest using a random orbital sander with some 80-grit sandpaper to remove the last of the primer.
You can then use some 180-grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface prior to application of your oil.
