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    Home » DIY » Painted Furniture

    Painting the Repurposed Closet Doors

    By: Jane · Updated: 17 Sep, '15 · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

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    Do you remember these repurposed closet doors that we put on our porch about 2 years ago? When we got them, we didn't do anything other than clean and hang them.  They provided some privacy and gave the porch more of an indoor room feel. But since they were exposed to the elements, this is what happened over time.

    Painted repurposed closet doors | cottage at the crossroads

    As the wood expanded and contracted, the slats would come loose. And I would fix them from time to time by putting some glue into the notches. Problem solved. Or so I thought until early this spring.

    Damaged repurposed closet doors | cottage at the crossroads
    Damaged repurposed closet doors | cottage at the crossroads

    So many of the slats had come loose after our cold and wet winter and the doors looked like this. I made an attempt to glue some of them back in but got impatient and quit. About the same time we got busy with the garden and other outdoor projects so I just postponed fixing them until we could think of a real solution.

    Painted red table | cottage at the crossroads

    So I got to thinking about how well this table that is also on the front porch repels water and has held up since I painted and waxed it over 3 years ago.  Hmmm. Well, you can see where this is going. As soon as we got a little break from the heat, we took down the doors and off to the paint store I went.

    Painted repurposed closet doors | cottage at the crossroads

    I explained what I was repairing and painting and asked for some advice. Luckily, I was able to pull up a photo of the repurposed closet doors on my phone to show Randy, the really nice and knowledgeable salesperson at Schofields' Ace Hardware in Florence, SC.  He custom mixed some red paint to match the other things we have painted red on the porch.

    Paint formula for barn red color | cottage at the crossroads

    I know many of you have asked what color red is our front door but I have been unable to tell you since I mixed together some paint myself to get the color I wanted. But here is a formula for you that is a real close match. And the best way that I can describe it is "Barn Red."

    Repurposed closet doors | cottage at the crossroads

    Randy also told me to use a waterproof caulk to repair the slats and that when it dried, it should hold the slats in place. So I had to allow time for the caulk to dry thoroughly (overnight) before I painted each door. And as you can see, I didn't worry about smoothing out the caulk too much since I was going to paint over it.

    Painted repurposed closet doors | cottage at the crossroads

    Well now, have you ever tried to paint slats like this by hand? Let me tell you, it is a JOB getting the paint into the corners and avoiding runs on the other side. And I would also have to turn the doors upside down to get spots that were missed.

    Painted repurposed closet doors| cottage at the crossroads

     And because I was covering dark wood, it took 2 coats of paint.

    Painted repurposed closet doors | cottage at the crossroads

    And then the gnats arrived. Oh, lawd.  Do you have gnats where you live? Those things pestered me so much that I just had to stop with my project.

    Painted repurposed closet doors | cottage at the crossroads

    But some cool weather blew into our area earlier this week and I was able to finish painting and waxing enough of them to show you what they look like now.  I used Annie Sloan clear wax on them hoping the water will run off, avoiding any further damage to them. But am I finished? Well, no. I still have 2 more to paint and wax. Only then will the seemingly never-ending project of repainting the repurposed closet doors will be finished. 

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    1. Dianne Stewart

      September 21, 2015 at 11:21 am

      What a great idea!!!

      Reply
    2. Peggy

      September 20, 2015 at 8:44 pm

      Smitten with the red. I would have never thought of waxing them. Brilliant idea! We do have gnats and they are awful. We have tried all the remedies: dryer sheet in your pockets, Skin So Soft and several other homemade formulas. Nothing works, even the nasty bug sprays. If you find something, please share. I guess the good news is fall is here and with cooler temperatures, there won't be as many of them.

      Reply
    3. [email protected] Designs

      September 20, 2015 at 7:40 pm

      Love them and love the color Jane!....Glad it cooled down so you could finish....yes, those gnats can be annoying!!

      Reply
    4. Linda Sherman

      September 19, 2015 at 4:29 pm

      I love the results with the doors. Beautiful red and what a great job you did repairing them and all.

      Reply
    5. Betty Baker

      September 18, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      Hi - they look absolutely fantastic - great idea. Betty from Ontario,Canada

      Reply
    6. Ann

      September 18, 2015 at 11:09 am

      If you spread some Avon Skin So Soft Oil on your face, ears, neck etc. the gnats will leave you alone and also the mosquitoes. It has just the right amount of citrus to make them run. Nice color for the doors!

      Reply
    7. Sandy

      September 18, 2015 at 10:18 am

      I love the red. They really pop and what a great idea to help them hold up better. I have two sets in the storage room that I have been holding onto for over a year now. I think I have been inspired now.

      Reply
    8. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage

      September 18, 2015 at 9:58 am

      Love the red Jane. You did a great job they look awesome.
      Happy Friday.
      Kris

      Reply
    9. Harriett Grady

      September 18, 2015 at 9:43 am

      I LOVE IT !!! SO HELPFUL I HAVE 3 SETS OF THOSE !

      Reply
    10. Dolores Watson

      September 18, 2015 at 9:38 am

      Love this! That red is perfect! Your Ace Hardware guy did a great job!

      Reply
    11. Robyn

      September 18, 2015 at 8:17 am

      Love them and I LOVE red....I have some that I'm getting ready to take out of one of my bedrooms, might have to paint and move them out to the shed!!!

      Reply
    12. [email protected]

      September 17, 2015 at 8:25 pm

      Yes I have been painting many of this same type of bi-fold doors this year - 7 of them so far... sooooo hard to get between the slats without spray paint! LOVE that red!

      Reply
    13. Stacey

      September 17, 2015 at 4:12 pm

      Great idea and I love them in red. 🙂

      Reply

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