Hollow core doors (teach me to cheat)

[Jersey Girl]

So two hollow core doors in 2 out of 3 bathrooms here have worn varnish that sort of looks like the varnish has split from moisture. Sort of crepey looking? Anyway, yes, I know they are flimsy compared to solid core doors. Yes, I know they can be easily replaced, stained and finished.

But...I'm trying to put together a budget here for a refresh (hiring out one detail) and the doors are actually a minor thing. I know I can pull them off the hinges and refinish if I'm careful to sand or strip. I know I can use (I can't recall the name of the product begins with an R? --whatever ) that will knock the finish down possibly enough to cheat refinish it right on the hinges.

Years back, The Boy mixed up some kind of potion with stain for a different door. It worked like flippin' magic. Door has been perfect ever since. Something like stain and thinner? Rubbed it on in circles with steel wool and...perfecto!

I always have a can of the original stain on hand so I'm good to go in that regard.

Our whole house has wood detailing...molding, windows, beams, and these stupid doors we had to settle for at the time. So...we're NOT going to paint any of the wood. Think mountain chalet...that's what it is and we're not about to farmhouse or cottagecore it up.

What do you guys recommend for a little face lift for these 2 doors?

Thanks for reading and absolutely if you have some DIY tip for this!

Jersey Girl

[Jersey Girl]

Well forget me and my memory. It's not an R...it's Krud Kutter deglosser, called Gloss Off.

What. an. idiot. ~ Hermione Granger

[IWMP]

So two hollow core doors in 2 out of 3 bathrooms here have worn varnish that sort of looks like the varnish has split from moisture. Sort of crepey looking? Anyway, yes, I know they are flimsy compared to solid core doors. Yes, I know they can be easily replaced, stained and finished.

But...I'm trying to put together a budget here for a refresh (hiring out one detail) and the doors are actually a minor thing. I know I can pull them off the hinges and refinish if I'm careful to sand or strip. I know I can use (I can't recall the name of the product begins with an R? --whatever ) that will knock the finish down possibly enough to cheat refinish it right on the hinges.

Years back, The Boy mixed up some kind of potion with stain for a different door. It worked like flippin' magic. Door has been perfect ever since. Something like stain and thinner? Rubbed it on in circles with steel wool and...perfecto!

I always have a can of the original stain on hand so I'm good to go in that regard.

Our whole house has wood detailing...molding, windows, beams, and these stupid doors we had to settle for at the time. So...we're NOT going to paint any of the wood. Think mountain chalet...that's what it is and we're not about to farmhouse or cottagecore it up.

What do you guys recommend for a little face lift for these 2 doors?

Thanks for reading and absolutely if you have some DIY tip for this!

Jersey Girl

How cheap do you want to do it? You could stick on some vinyl and heat it, you could glue a thin wooden panel over the full door.

[Jersey Girl]

How cheap do you want to do it? You could stick on some vinyl and heat it, you could glue a thin wooden panel over the full door.

I want to refinish and restore them to the original wood stain. So those options won't work. I was wondering if I could take a hot iron to them over a towel like you do to a water glass stain on wood furniture...it melts and blends the varnish?

[Gadianton]

A lot depends on how thin and the texture of the current veneer. Not going to sand through it or mess up it up? there are all these "orange" stripping gels you can use to get the old stuff off easier. I'm sure you can do it cheaper than buying new doors but when you add up the gel, the stain, the cloths, clear coat, and all these little things it's not terribly cheaper. Possibly more fun to do.