Repairing Surface of Wooden Garage Door

[slackmax]

Hello,

  Anyone out there ever fix up a wooden garage door? I'm looking for tips on how to repair mine. You can see from the pics that the veneer has peeled back some at the lower left.

Anyone had a handyman come out to fix it? If so what did he do?

 And did your repair or your handyman's repair look good afterwards?

I've heard a new door would be around $1,000 installed! 

Thanks!
 

[ritchie70]

My garage door appears to be made of tempered Masonite with a wood frame. I haven't had the damage you had, but I have had to nail it back on. I used little finishing nails and spackled over it (with normal interior wall spackle) and painted it with exterior paint and it's been fine for a couple years. Looks good from a distance, a little wavy if you get close.

I also took the lock handle off (lock has been disconnected forever - we have a garage door opener) and filled the hole with spray-in foam and then more spackle.

I think you can probably replace the outer skin of that section but your problem is going to be hiding the seam if the door is over 8 feet wide. You may also have to replace some of the frame wood which will probably be trickier.

I suspect a lot of that price tag is installation. You can get a new door at Home Depot/Lowe's/Menard's for a lot less than that.

[usmarine1975]

My opinion is to replace the door.  In my experience Garage Doors are not made to be repaired.  (not saying you can't get a few more years out of it)  The key is how much hassle is it worth to repair what is there.  Repairing the door and getting a few more years out of it may save you but I would estimate with your time your probably looking at a $250.00 expense just to get a few more years.  Newer doors are lighter more energy efficient etc...  Again just my take.

[slackmax]

My garage door appears to be made of tempered Masonite with a wood frame. I haven't had the damage you had, but I have had to nail it back on. I used little finishing nails and spackled over it (with normal interior wall spackle) and painted it with exterior paint and it's been fine for a couple years. Looks good from a distance, a little wavy if you get close.

I also took the lock handle off (lock has been disconnected forever - we have a garage door opener) and filled the hole with spray-in foam and then more spackle.

I think you can probably replace the outer skin of that section but your problem is going to be hiding the seam if the door is over 8 feet wide. You may also have to replace some of the frame wood which will probably be trickier.

I suspect a lot of that price tag is installation. You can get a new door at Home Depot/Lowe's/Menard's for a lot less than that.

Thanks for the reply!  I think my door is also Masonite for the veneer. I'm surprised you were able to keep the  veneer down with just finishing nails (with the small heads?). 

 I was able to get some small clamps on another part of my door and glue and clamp about 6 feet of peeled off veneer back on. It has held up for about a month so far.

I'm keeping an eye on the bottom edge still. If it gets worse I may put 2 boards across the bottom and screw them down with carriage bolts. I think it'll look OK when painted. 

I'm retired and therefore have plenty of time for this sort of thing.  :)