Cleaning Wood Trim Before Painting

Shield the door surface around the lock with a cloth as you turn the key both ways to remove any excess lubricant.

Cleaning wood trim before painting.

If you start at the top the cleaner can run down the wood and create hard to remove. Apply wood patch image zoom apply stainable wood patch whose color matches the surface closely. Sometimes a good cleaning is all it takes to bring it back to life says wood finisher john thomas. If the trim is rough and worn start by sanding with coarse 80 grit sandpaper.

Wipe the solution away with a rag to clear the dirt. Wash the trim clean and rinse one section before moving onto the next section. How to prepare stained and varnished trim step 1. You ll likely remove a thin layer of varnish or shellac too because the grime has melded.

Scrub with soap and warm water. Then move to less coarse sandpaper such as 100 or 120 grit to smooth the surface. Give the surface a full day to dry before moving on. When you re satisfied with the wood s appearance rinse the exterior from top to bottom with a garden hose.

If the trim is new or already smooth lightly sand using 120 grit sandpaper until all shine disappears from the trim. Then remove the sanding dust and apply a suitable primer. Clean and sand surface image zoom clean varnished surfaces with a soft cloth and odorless mineral spirits. To prepare previously painted wood strip off cracking flaking or chipping paint sand the surface with 180 grit sandpaper remove the dust and wipe with a damp sponge.

A stiff bristle hand. It is a powder though can. Here are his recommendations for cleaning woodwork properly. If your house has mildew you can speed up the cleaning process with a dedicated mildewcide.

Before painting new wood sand all surfaces and edges lightly to smooth the grain. Dip a sponge into a mixture of warm water and dish soap vinegar works well too then go about scrubbing any marks that you can find. Tri sodium phosphate is one of those great little secrets hiding in your hardware store. Mix up equal parts of paint thinner and a mild soap such as murphy oil soap and apply with a sponge or paintbrush.

An annual clean with water and a mild liquid detergent is good enough for most doors including those wood doors that have been stained or painted. Clean the wood surface thoroughly. Wash wood from the bottom upward with slow easy up and down strokes so the solution has time to soften the grime. Use a long handled scrubber brush and a mild detergent to gently scrub away accumulated dirt grime mold and other residue.

Don t use paper towels as this will leave behind paper particles that may affect the staining of the wood in the future. Mist a lint free cleaning rag with the spray. Be sure to rinse off the solution then dry thoroughly.