Historic Door Restoration

An 1860s solid

old-growth door

requires more

prep before a

new coat of paint

than a newer

surface.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

Seasonal

fluctuation of

temperature and

humidity in New

England leads to

damage.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

Separating a

warm area from a

cooler entryway,

this door

experienced

extreme stress.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

The first step is

patient and

careful removal

of old caulk and

glue.

More coaxing,

less force.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

The old caulk had

split and grown

brittle, requiring

deep and

complete

excavation.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

Second step is

top to bottom

sanding of the

door.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

Third, before

caulking, we use

a flexible

sponge-like

material for

deeper openings

or gaps in the

door’s panels.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

With filler in

place, we apply a

durable caulk

designed to flex

and stretch with

the door without

cracking.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

New caulk is

worked into place

by hand to create

smooth,

seamless,

durable panel

joints.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

Before applying

putty to bring the

door edge back

to square, we

coat the wood

with adhesion

primer.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

We apply a putty

that is more

resilient than

wood and

enables us to

create a ding-

proof edge.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

We call this

restorative

painting “old

school

craftsmanship.”

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

We use the same

putty to fill the

scar left by a

previous owner

who chose to

remove the

door’s original

hardware.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

Once cured, the

hardened putty is

sanded to

achieve a

straight, flawless

edge and

blemish-free

panel.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

The finished

product, ready for

another 150

years of service.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

Caring for

historic homes is

truly gratifying

work.

617.734.1696 info@catchlightpainting.com

www.catchlightpainting.com

Learn more

about our historic

home painting

and restoration

services here.