Garage Door Restoration

This 17-foot-wide wood garage door was restored after years of weather and finish buildup had hidden much of the character of the original wood. With 40 raised panels and detailed profiles, removing the old finish required careful scraping rather than aggressive sanding that could soften or destroy the original details.

The stripping and scraping alone took roughly 30 hours, followed by sanding the door back to clean wood and preparing the surface for a new exterior finish. Once properly prepared, multiple coats of spar varnish were applied to restore the depth and natural character of the wood while protecting it from the elements.

This project is a good example of what restoration often demands: patience where shortcuts could damage the craftsmanship, careful surface preparation, and allowing the original wood to become the finished surface again rather than simply covering it up.