What you need to know about varnishing an exterior door

[@kimwatson7463]

When I was young my Dad never let us in his workshop and for a good reason. I always thought it was a magical place. You sure have reminded me that they are indeed a magical place! Great job!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awe I’m sorry it sure is❤️❤️❤️

[@floofypurplefluff9924]

As always, an impeccable job. Truly the Gold Standard.

[@luc2128]

The humour peppered through this video is gold 🤣 "And here we've got...a fly."

[@charleswilliamson2195]

I do approve of music whilst i watch. Another good job.

[@ginger1549]

Many years ago ( in the 30's I think) my grandparents bought an older house. One of the many things Grandpa did to make the house nice was he stripped down the big , heavy oak front door.Just like this one with the glass at the top, and brass knob & locks. Sadly the door had been repeatedly painted over the years but once he stripped off the paint the wood was in great shape so he stained and varnished it.For years people marvelled at how pretty that door was, & how it still looked like new.Mostly due to him adding a covered porch to the front of the house so the door was protected from sun and weather.When he passed and the house was sold in the late 90's the buyers were impressed with how the house had been lovingly cared for and especially mentioned the amazing front door. So don't think people don't notice things like doors - they do.

[@SuperMulletguy]

Thank you for this story- I really appreciated it

[@janebutz5375]

This video was especially helpful as I often have a project that is exposed to weathering. I, too, love working with old lock sets. And I really liked the background music. I kept hearing Pink Floyd influences!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome!

[@TheDagda1000]

Trena, I don't know how you've done it, but you've made paint-stripping into an art-form. Poetry in motion! 😄

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Lol

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Lol

[@howardklein9834]

I am so happy you're using a mask. You are an amazing craftswoman and a long life ahead of you.

[@joycedigiovanni9719]

Beautiful job!

[@mikedonnelly2174]

Classical music is always great shop music.

[@gaylegreer9798]

Tom here; I had no idea of regulations like that. I'm in ND. You still are doing some really great work!!!

[@PurpleHonee]

Varnish scraping is soooo satisfying to watch in those long strips.

[@jimc4731]

Fine job, the only thing I might have added would be some finish on the bottom edge of the door to seal it and the use of a vacuum and tack rag between varnish coats. Keep up the good work, you have a premium channel, always doing things right! JIM

[@peternicho]

You have taught this old dog new tricks and l have a new perspective of restoration, thank you.

[@jaymusic9039]

My first and not the last video I'll watch of this amazing person.

[@walkingwithdogs8547]

A tip for cleaning old locks, use brake and clutch cleaner. Then use graffite powder to dust all internals. Lasts for years.

[@Redraven2967]

@Todd Minert even better is a lithium based lubricant, at least nobody seems to be advocating for hosing it down with WD40 which is a huge mistake.

[@jerrygaguru]

Graphite powder is not a true lubricant and I actually can micro grind and/or micro sands the edges to make stuff move more freely, lithium grease or bearing packing grease is usually used for these It does not damage the parts overtime as graphite Can, that’s why graphite can make a key work really really good that’s just been cut really really fast, but once it’s done it’s job wash it out with WD-40 Or brake cleaner and then a little bit of lithium grease or marine (same as bearing packing Grease just has more water and salt resistance) bearing packing Grease will make it last forever. I like the Lithium grease better and you can get it in a spray can from Walmart in the all the motor section so it’s less messy to deal with and can be just spray on but the marine bearing packing Grease will outlast the lithium grease every time.

[@TJET737]

Old wooden doors are the best! Another beautiful skilled job! I love your approach in the making of your video's. Never thought it could be so relaxing watching another work so hard. Lol.

[@brewster3987]

I'm sure I speak for many when I say that we really do appreciate the work you put in to making these videos. I have already learned several techniques that I have put into use in my poor little hobbyist woodshop, and I've mentally filed away many more for future use! Also it's obvious that the production values on your videos are growing as well (love the stripping/sanding ASMR). [Although I did note one strange little audio dropout around the 25 minute mark.😊]

[@yvonboudreau3932]

The finished door looks amazing. So many people would have thrown it out and replaced it with a steel door. Good on your customer for wanting to save this beautiful door.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Can't imagine that many people would actuall discard a door like that!

[@larss592]

@@keyboarddancers7751 At least we would hope. Hard to say in this disposable society we now live.

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

@@keyboarddancers7751 You'd be surprised.

[@josephkerley363]

As Tom would say, that's pretty good!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Lol

[@Mr.Saephan503]

It usually takes me about 20-30 mins to realize that a video is more then a hour long. That mean I'm sucked into the teaching ahahahaha. It only happens a handful of time but when it does, I'LL enjoy it even MORE.

[@imahick5723]

Fabulous job

[@rogerdudra178]

That Fritz stuff really seems to do a number on brass. You did an amazing job on it.

[@suestracks]

The best way to spend a Friday night, Tom Johnson first and then you! Your work was perfection, as usual. Thanks for taking us along as you create your magic.

[@jill552]

I love old houses, old doors and old locks. Thank you for taking us along for the ride.

[@michaelcarter1963]

The background music you use is very fitting!

[@johnelewis203]

When you wiped the stain and the grain showed so pretty, yeah that's the color we want. Absolutely!

[@paulmcgrath552]

I always appreciate how tidy you keep yourself when applying stains. I end up looking like I just ineptly butchered a small animal after I paint or stain. I also appreciate your approach to removing the door knob: NOT let's get a bigger hammer; rather; let's get a little Allen wrench. Good, impressive work on the door, as usual.

[@lolaottinger6976]

I was just thinking the same thing, I would have ruined whatever I was wearing within the first hour!

[@raywood8187]

I do love old oak! Beautiful job and the most relaxing stripper music I've heard.😉

[@chrispeters6944]

Love your taste in shop music Trena!

[@BLOOMFIELDFARMVA]

Just found your channel! So inspirational! We have been self-restoring a 250 year old house for 4 years and your videos have RE inspired me to keep going. You take such care in your art and are so patient. You make not only the woodwork beautiful but also the process. So happy to find your channel!!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Enjoy the process! Cheers!

[@jeneanann1]

You do, indeed, make the process beautiful also.

[@gaylegreer9798]

Tom here; Have you ever tried using your HVLP for applying varnishes and poly? I've had amazing success. BUT, that door is total killer!!! Really nice work!!!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

its actually illegal to spray oil based finishes here in canada, but i also prefer to brush them as you have to thin varnish out so much you have to do a lot of coats for good coverage

[@normafollet7156]

What a lovely job your, ve done on that door. 🙌👍

[@JamesDeese]

What set the videos apart that grow, in my opinion, is the narrative. You are an excellent narrator. You keep my interest and have a great voice for the narration. Keep'em coming!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thankyou!

[@donnaryan6711]

Excellent job. Beautiful heavy door.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Tbankyou

[@carlosu8229]

I live in Los Angeles California and love that door. Mine looks similar but is solid wood with no panels. I loved your video because I need to do the exact same to my door. To top it off, I have the same lock. My house was built in 1910. Thank you for your help and insights.

[@thomasschleis2545]

You are a True Master! Appreciate someone having that attention to detail.

[@mcdugalmcstiffy6889]

Nice job, that's a serious door!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@rice0009]

Beautiful color on the finished piece.

[@scottmcfarland1177]

The DOOR came out absolutely Awesome nice job on the Brass as well looks Fantastic!

[@PeanutsDadForever]

Your father’s skills live on with your work. He must be so proud. Thanks for another great video. 👴🏻🇦🇺

[@anneirenej]

Thank you. We are needing to refinish our front door. Great video. Very helpful.

[@rifleman1873]

That is a beautiful door and you are a true professional. I am so glad I found your video before,I did my front door. Thanks!!!

[@ingridw3900]

Great advice on level of sanding with stain.

[@A-ph7hf]

You did an amazing job on the door. You are very talented and meticulous. Your video was great. Thank you for the quality content.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thank you so much!

[@cabman86]

All that beauty behind that old finish!

[@JohnPatersonAu]

Awesome job! Although the ocd in me wanted to completely dismantle that lock and clean all the bits in a parts washer. 😁

[@namkumureronat1496]

a smart and strong woman, a talented master... awesome work..

[@michaelcarter1963]

I appreciate the knowledge you have about breaking the rules!

[@williamledger1893]

sweet job looks lik'a brand new door.

[@hillcountrylivin]

Beautiful job. Best hour I've spent on YT in a long time. And yes, I did watch the entire 62 minutes! I have a similar job to complete once winter is over, and this information in the video will be very helpful. Thanks!!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@difarr1618]

Very nice job,... Obvious You take great pride in your work. Your experience level at your age seems way out of wack, it must be your training...Thanks for sharing your process.... All the best !

[@massoud139]

You do your job , NOT ONLY PROFESSIONALLY , but also WITH LOVE ! So keep up the good work !

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thank you! Will do!

[@kishka7]

Doors are really a world unto themselves!!!

[@om4444]

Nice job...inspiring as I work on my 110 year old house.

[@mikeelliott9067]

You took a well made but very used door and did what you know is best. You made it beautiful again, probably better than new! The beveled glass super cleaned looks great and so does the brass. Awesome work Trena!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@nava1uni]

Your videos are so informative and educational. I love watching them and learning. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.Ciney

[@MrJozef1974]

Very serious work. Like it so much. Bravo.

[@patriciamay638]

The open grain on oak stained up superbly.

[@thcall6441]

Door looks great as usual. You must have been a snowplow driver in a former life. You push the scrapper through the dissolved finish without any spilling off to the side. Lol. Plus I always use sponge brushes when I can.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Lol

[@andrewbeckman351]

I always love it when humor is included, I lmao with the brush, well done.

[@tedlym.3390]

I just had new doors and windows installed, so they don't need to be varnished yet. But when they do, I will use the TRENA method. Thank you,

[@olledahlquist3784]

I'd put the door know in my drill when polishing it. But the result of your polishing looked good.

[@mikedraper5260]

Nice job Trena. Your dad will be impressed.I put an old oak door in many years ago into my 100 year old farm house .The old one was an old interior 4 panel door that someone had replaced the top panels with glass . My new door was short by 6 inches so I added the wood and covered it with a brass kick plate on both sides . When it was finished no one could tell that there was a problem. Glad your dog keeps you company in the shop.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Awesome!

[@bobkonigsberg6907]

This is for oil-based varnishes - don't know about water-based ones. Some years ago, I had the opportunity to chat with a paint chemist, and he told me that if you keep a varnished piece of wood away from UV (Sunlight) for 6 weeks, the finish will last far longer. This is because even though the varnish is "dry", it's still not fully cured, and UV will break it down invisibly, and it will not last as long. I had discovered this by accident with months of storage for a door threshold, and he confirmed that was true, but that months were not required, just weeks. Love your channel!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Interesting point. We keep it for two weeks but that’s about as long as my clients want to do without their door.

[@bobkonigsberg6907]

@@johnsfurniturerepair That is still a big improvement over what most people do - which is to varnish it in place. That still extends the life of the finish by years.

[@shure46]

good video , no nonsense , to the point , well done ..... you got a subscriber

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Welcome and Thankyou!

[@petestaint8312]

Excellent video! Also, love the pooch. 👍

[@richardroy61]

1:48 "got my first sliver of the job. PFFSSSST. There we go." You are truly a craftsperson! Love it.

[@bbputz1]

Awesome, great job, looking forward to more videos..

[@thomasinlondon2849]

Fantastic work, came out looking fantastic!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thank you very much!

[@massoud139]

The door looks fantastic , after you are finished !

[@thecarolinacraftsman4120]

As someone who has been around this kind of skill following in my grandpa’s footsteps I can appreciate your level of skill and precision. You do beautiful work and have the tools to do so. So many are afraid to spend the money for festool products by they are superior to many of the other brands out there. I love my festool tools. I make money with them and I can see where you are able to accomplish a better job with them as well. I enjoy watching your videos. I binge watch them. 👍⚒️

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thankyou.

[@nospin1394]

Your pride of workmanship really shows. Before and after are always astonishing.

[@rockshot100]

Lots of great tips even an expert of MY CALIPER didn't know about. LOL. Amazing how the toner reduced the amount of contrast in the grain color. Her camera is probably high def. so it is probably even less so IRL. This is probably what it looked like new. It doesn't looked stripped or refinished at all. Thanks for all the insider knowledge. So happy you didn't lacquer the hardware, it will patina nicely now. I am binge watching and the wicker fabric chair you re-wrapped was incredible. May I suggest that whenever taking apart a lock or lamp apart to film it or draw a detailed diagram of that, so you can remember how to get it back together. Thanks again.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Lol. Yea I should have done that. Lol. But live and learn. Cheers!

[@rockshot100]

@@johnsfurniturerepair Only reason I know! I took a nice brass lamp apart, got the lacquer off shined all the pieces and wound up throwing it away. You have to string it back onto the wire in a certain order and who knew what that was.

[@WatersandWilderness]

I am just amazed at how great that door looks. You are a miracle worker.

[@TimTurner115]

You do a beautiful job. Thank you.

[@sofialaura5858]

Quedó tan lindo. Felicitaciones 🎉

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks!

[@jalechavez6042]

Guauuu....Que Linda Puerta...!!...like yo.....ji ji j i ji...Excelente trabajo..Amigaa....Saludosss

[@timmaggard8862]

Beautiful job Trena! Love the color!

[@joelarrow9272]

However what a great, video, learned so much and what a beautiful teacher,,, thank you!!

[@byrnejr]

Door came out Awesome ! Thanks for sharing

[@williamledger1893]

I love how you tackled that lock Brave Women you are I thnk I would've passed. I like the open up a can of worms comment. I wonder if a spritz of white lithium spray would help the inner mechanism?

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

That’s exactly what I did off camera. Sorry I missed it.

[@davidjanuszewski5020]

Impressed!, by an (in)telligent, talented finisher, you have solid-work-procedures that produce excellent-results.

[@edwardgriffin8092]

I love watching you work, it is so calming, and the way you give tips on doing things seemingly without knowing you are giving us the tip. Like "Tipping off" the finish (or paint). I remember saying to a "professional" painter and decorator who had just finished painting a door, "It does not look like you have tipped it off", and he said "Tipped it off of what?". He had no idea what i was talking about, and calls himself a "Professional". (You have to laugh).

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Oh man. Thanks for watching

[@zhuzhuzhzu9403]

Thank you! My door has similar issues and we can’t afford a new door. I will try this in the future!

[@elgatogordo9523]

Thank you so much for your video. You inspired me to work on our double wood door entry. The house is 30 years old and the doors are in pretty bad shape.

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

You can do it!

[@leobrent7926]

Wow, trena! Just freakin wow!! That before and after at the end really show how much of a difference taking the time to do a proper job really does for the finished product. This video should be called “everything you always to know about refinishing an exterior door, but were too ashamed to ask” hehe

[@eddieesparza2635]

Thank you, now I know I can go refinish those old oak doors sitting in my shed waiting for me to tackle thank you for the inspiration!!

[@pattiearehart118]

This is the exact same door that was on the house I grew up in in Keego Harbor, MI. I purchased the home from my parents then raised my kids there too. The house was built in 1929.

[@flitz]

Beautiful work Trena! Thanks for the Flitz love! We love putting our products in the hands of pros!! 👍👍👀 Stay safe!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks for the samples! Great stuff👍

[@TheScarletprimrose]

You are an artist!!!

[@johnhull2941]

fantastic work on a beautiful oak door thank you for sharing keep them coming

[@sanolivo6867]

Excellent, I just purchase a home build in the 1800's. So I have my hands full of work and repairs like that. but it is not just work, is fun too.

[@clarelove3738]

You should set aside a small area in your shop with a plain background to display the finished items, to show them in their stunning final glory.

[@simonlunt353]

Very nice job lady oak is my favourite wood when you work with it the smell is so good as a joiner I have fitted a lot of hardware but I have not seen a lock like yours a very nice lock when I take any lock a part l use my iPhone and take lots of pictures l was pleased to see you didn’t scratch the glass as that bevel glass dose like so good the colour of the oak at the finish look so good l would be so happy with your door well done 👍 stay safe and thank you for your video

[@michaelcaron6722]

Keep up the great work that u do .

[@donnalindakelley3402]

NICE!

[@Capalmer01]

I firrgin love watching these video's haha !!!

[@johnsfurniturerepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@DavidDeelLoco]

Incredible transformation. You are so detailed oriented and I love learning the little tidbits also. I mean I aways just through the foam brush away. Never thought about the free dowel. Love it.

[@razorrs25]

Transformed from what people would think is junk to something very special. Great work Trena