Front Door Restoration in Old Town Fort Collins: Museum-Quality Prep and a 2K Exterior Finish
Last summer, we completed a front door restoration for a 120-year-old home in Old Town, Fort Collins. The goal wasn’t a quick refresh. It was a proper door restoration from start to finish: strip the door correctly, rebuild the surface the right way, restore the hardware details, and make sure the lock works smoothly and reliably.
In the U.S., a 100+ year old house is considered “historic” (and yes, Europeans would smile at that). But joking aside, older homes in Fort Collins often have original woodwork with real character. When that wood is cared for the right way, it can outlast modern replacements by a long shot.
Project Overview
This project included:
- Complete refinishing of the door’s wooden components
- Restoration and polishing of the lock plate
- Installation of a new lock mechanism so the door functions correctly
Why This Front Door Restoration Needed More Than “Sanding and Stain”
Exterior doors fail in predictable ways. Colorado sun breaks down finishes, moisture finds weak points, and seasonal movement opens up seams. Once a finish starts to crack or peel, the door can go downhill fast.
For this Old Town Fort Collins door, we weren’t interested in covering the problem. We wanted a finish system that would hold up for years and look right for a historic home, not overly modern or plastic.
What We Look At Before We Start
Before stripping anything, we assess a few key things that determine how a door should be restored:
- Finish failure: peeling, chalking, cracking, dullness, and uneven color
- Moisture history: raised grain, staining, or soft areas near edges and panels
- Joinery and movement: older doors can shift seasonally, and joints need to be handled correctly
- Hardware performance: a door can look great, but if the lock sticks or doesn’t engage, it still feels “wrong”
Our Process: Prep Work That Produces a Museum-Quality Finish
We’re not a “scuff it and coat it” restoration shop. The quality of the finish depends on what happens before the finish ever touches the wood.
Our stripping process involves nine steps of wood treatment before we apply a finish coat. It takes time, but it creates a stable surface that supports long-term durability.
By the time a restoration like this is complete, each door typically goes through 12–15+ steps in total. That’s the difference between something that looks good for a season and something that holds up for years.
Hardware Matters: Restoring the Lock Plate and Fixing Function
On this project, we restored and polished the lock plate to bring back the detail and keep it fitting the style of the house. We’re careful here because you want it clean and sharp, but not so shiny that it looks out of place on a 120-year-old home.
We also installed a new lock mechanism so the door functions correctly. No sticking. No fighting the latch. No “it works if you lift the handle just right.” The door should feel solid and smooth every time you use it.
The Finish System We Used: ML Campbell Poly 2K Exterior
For the final protection, we used ML Campbell Poly 2K (exterior). This is a high-durability, two-component exterior finish designed for tough exposure.
When prep and application are done correctly, a finish system like this can deliver long service life, often landing in the 20–30 year range, depending on sun exposure, moisture, and basic maintenance.
The point isn’t just using a premium product. The point is using the right product over the right prep, applied the right way. That’s how you get a finish that bonds properly and stays looking good.
Final Result: A Restored Front Door That Looks Right and Works Right
The final result was exactly what we aim for with front door restoration in historic Fort Collins homes:
- Appearance: clean, even finish with depth and clarity that fits the home’s character
- Protection: a serious 2K exterior finish system built for durability
- Function: restored hardware details and a lock mechanism that works smoothly and reliably
Services Included in This Old Town Fort Collins Front Door Restoration
- Front door restoration and exterior door refinishing
- Complete stripping and surface preparation
- Multi-step wood treatment process (9-step prep system)
- Lock plate restoration and polishing
- New lock mechanism installation
- Final detailing for a museum-quality result
Why Clients Choose Us (Even When We’re Not the Cheapest)
If you’re looking for the lowest price, we may not be the right fit. But if you want the job done correctly, with no shortcuts, we’re the shop that’s built for that.
We focus on the science of the work: proper stripping, proper treatment, and a finish system that’s chosen for durability. That’s how we deliver consistent results that hold up year after year. For homeowners in Old Town, it’s also worth reviewing the Fort Collins Historic Preservation program before making exterior changes.
Want Front Door Restoration in Fort Collins?
If you have a door that’s peeling, weathered, or just not working right anymore, send us a few photos and tell us what you’re dealing with. We’ll recommend the right approach and finish system for your door’s exposure and daily use.
When you choose us, you’re choosing a process-driven restoration. Not halfway work. Not a quick cover-up. A result you can feel confident in every time you close the door behind you.
Located in the historic city of Fort Collins, Colorado. G. Michael’s is an esteemed furniture repair and antique furniture restoration wood shop.
