Getting doors dipped, does it work and where to get it done

[968CSReading]

We have 7 interior doors which are varnished but we dont link the finish and they need stripping/sanding. I have tried to sand one of them down but there are too many panels and it just takes for ever getting round all the fiddly bits.

Anyone had experience of dipping doors, does it work? How much does it cost and anyone know anywhere near Reading that does it.

Looking at B&Q a decent door will cost £50-£80 + fittings so need to work out whats going to be cheapest I suppose.

[Mc Lovin]

my parents used to have a tank and dipped doors and other bits, when they where renovating houses. Its good and gets out everything, but if there's any filler it'll eat through that too so be carefull.

also the doors come out very dry and "furry" so they need a once over with some sand paper and sealing.

[Gruppe1875]

Place in Guildford used to do it for about £7 a door.

yell.com is your friend.

[Gazzab]

Can warp doors, particularly inner panels. Also doesnt do the glue any good. Hand stripping is far superior.

[mechsympathy]

Gazzab said:

Can warp doors, particularly inner panels. Also doesnt do the glue any good. Hand stripping is far superior.

Apparently it can, but I've never had one warp.

A lot of reclamation yards have dipping tanks, our local one will collect and dip doors for (IIRC) £10. How old are the doors? Modern doors are likely to be far worse quality unless you're spending £150+.

[968CSReading]

Hard to say how old they are. Not the best quality but probably 10-15yrs old. Might be worth taking a punt with the one I have started to sand to see what happens.

[Wings]

Gazzab said:

Can warp doors, particularly inner panels. Also doesnt do the glue any good. Hand stripping is far superior.

Whether it is worth dipping/stripping doors varies on the quality of the doors, costs of doing the same and how much time you have to wait for the doors to be re hanged. As others have said, fillers, glue and warping can be effected, in the case of the latter doors can’t be re-hung, they must first be allowed to thoroughly dry out. The drying out process is carried out by laying spacers/blocks on the floor, placing door flat on top, then placing more spacers/blocks on that door, then another door on top, and then so on, and so on. The spacers/blocks allow the air to circulate around the door/s, with the drying process taking about 7-10 days, that is in a dry, warm interior room.