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Cleaning and Polishing My Grimy Front Doors

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | October 9, 2018 16 Comments

Last updated on November 30th, 2018

I’m on a roll! Last week, I scraped, primed, and painted the ugly radiator pipe in the entrance hall. And yesterday, I cleaned and polished the interior side of my ancient front doors. Watch me work, and maybe pick up a tip or two for restoring some old wood in your own home:

Thank for watching. Also, thanks for keeping me company while I tackle an assortment of odd jobs here at Clover Hill!

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xKevin

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Comments

  1. 1

    Janis says

    October 9, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    Dear Kevin, the doors look lovely and so clean. I recall bringing back to life old pieces of fine furniture. The mineral is something I had not used. Sounds nice and lightweight. No tacky build up. I used tung oil or linseed, usually 2 light coats only. A trick a furniture maker long ago retired taught me:
    Heat the linseed oil. Apply one light coat everyday for a week; then once a week for a month; then once a month for a year. He said the finish would last for decades. I cannot attest to this never having had the patience to get past three months but the finish sure has been durable.

  2. 2

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    October 10, 2018 at 7:31 am

    Hi Janis – Mineral oil is really easy to work with. Thanks for watching the video!

  3. 3

    rje says

    October 10, 2018 at 12:05 pm

    Hi Kevin! Mineral spirits will destroy the finish of a door that has a shellac finish – [like all of our old doors]. Always test a spot that won’t show first. If the mineral spirits lighten the finish, then stop immediately.

  4. 4

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    October 10, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    Hi rje – Alcohol (such as denatured alcohol or methylated spirits) will dissolve shellac, but mineral spirits won’t. Mineral spirits is safe for varnish, lacquer, and shellac.

  5. 5

    Linda stoddard says

    October 13, 2018 at 4:31 pm

    Kevin,
    Your doors look awesome! Our door is fine on the inside but it really needs a good cleaning & finish on the outside. What recommendation do you have for nice exterior doors?

    Linda

  6. 6

    Elke says

    October 14, 2018 at 8:44 am

    Hi Kevin,
    Thank you for sharing you days with us. I love reading what you are doing.
    You have a lovely home!

  7. 7

    Linda Cramp says

    October 14, 2018 at 9:08 am

    I use a product called lemoil from Daly’s in Seattle. It smells good and is less toxic. You can get it on Amazon.

  8. 8

    Georgeann says

    October 14, 2018 at 9:25 am

    Your house is beautiful!! Everything you do is tried and true, that’s why I don’t ques tion your methods and will do what you do. Thanks for your info

  9. 9

    Marcy MacDonald says

    October 14, 2018 at 2:48 pm

    Your doors are beautiful, I love the covered keyholes. I just love everything about your house. I’m a Victorian fanatic.

  10. 10

    Carolyn says

    October 14, 2018 at 5:00 pm

    What a great idea. Wish I had the energy to do it on the woodwork.

    Love your post.

  11. 11

    patrice says

    October 14, 2018 at 9:19 pm

    thanks for the cleaning tips Kevin.

  12. 12

    Julia Hofley says

    October 15, 2018 at 10:23 am

    Thanks for the advice on cleaning. I look forward to trying this on plant stands.

  13. 13

    Penelope says

    October 15, 2018 at 10:58 am

    Kevin:
    You’ve inspired me to clean ‘n shine an old mahogany dresser. Thank you for showing me How To

  14. 14

    Karen Thomas says

    October 18, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    Kevin, I think many of us are “control freaks”. I thought your tip about poking just a hole in the foil seal of the mineral oil was brilliant. So simple yet so practical.

  15. 15

    Ruth says

    November 2, 2018 at 5:17 pm

    Lovely to watch your dedication to an old home and bringing out its beauty. Truly appreciate your sharing with us. Are the keys to your front door as old as the doors?Thanks

  16. 16

    Ruth says

    April 21, 2019 at 8:08 am

    Kevin, my solid oak kitchen cabinet doors need some refinishing. When we updated the kitchen about twenty years ago I stained and polyurethaned them. I am very much on the fence what to do with them. I looking for a less labor intense method of refinishing than stripping, staining and then polyurethaning them. Do you think this method that you used on your front doors would be a good idea on my cabinet doors? Would it hold up? Or any other suggestions? Thank you! Love looking at your house and gardens!

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