door hinge help?

[DianeB]

Today I replaced 8 door knobs with schlade brushed stainless knobs. Did the bedrooms and closet doors - after 30 years. it was needed. Now I am looking at the hinges and most look very rusty looking. I plan to refinish the doors also with the minwax poly shade product.

In any event, wood like to replace the hinges, and will have to spend some time getting the pins out as they are pretty rusted in.

Looking for suggestions on the hinges. Will the standard home depot variety work or should I look for a specific brand? The doors are just hollow doors. but I think I can bring them back with the minwax product. I know I should probably remove one of the hinges completely and bring it with me as the hinge plate is curved and would need it to fit in the current grooves already gut into the door frame and door. Again, any suggestion on a good door hinge...do they come brushed stainless?

 

[Jack Straw]

Well, if you are going to replace the hinges you won't need to remove the pins, just unscrew them from the jambs and doors. I would take them to the store to match them. Good luck!

 

[nate379]

Why would indoor doors have the pins rusted in?

 

[Jack Straw]

Mine did in the bathroom

 

[DianeB]

bathroom rusty. did not have a bathroom exhaust fan until just last year. rest of doors off hall where kids bathroom located also showing some signs also. now empty nest...no grandkid yet...but preparing for the next round of house destroyers

 

[semipro]

You should be able to find matching brushed stainless hinges. At the worst, you'll have to use a chisel to cut out mortise corners to allow installation of square instead of rounded-corner hinges.

One caution on refinishing the doors: the surface on hollow core doors is typically a thin veneer, usually luan. Be careful sanding so that you don't penetrate the veneer and expose the ugly wood underneath (unfortunately the voice of experience here).

Also, if its not already been done, replace a few of the shorter hinge screws on the jam side with longer screws that penetrate into the wall framing around the door. One in each hinge should do. This is more important on the upper hinges.

 

[DianeB]

You should be able to find matching brushed stainless hinges. At the worst, you'll have to use a chisel to cut out mortise corners to allow installation of square instead of rounded-corner hinges.

One caution on refinishing the doors: the surface on hollow core doors is typically a thin veneer, usually luan. Be careful sanding so that you don't penetrate the veneer and expose the ugly wood underneath (unfortunately the voice of experience here).

Also, if its not already been done, replace a few of the shorter hinge screws on the jam side with longer screws that penetrate into the wall framing around the door. One in each hinge should do. This is more important on the upper hinges.

great suggestions, always good to learn from experience. I plan to wash everything down with tsp and then mineral spririts, let it dry out then sand with 220 and then based on your recommendations, just hand sand and not use a block or anything like that. Perhaps just one coat of antique walnut satin- think just one coat will hide all the blemishes. Will do the one longer screws if the hinge does not already come with the longer screws. I noticed the hit plate screws on the new door knob were longer than the originals...perhaps they plan ahead for this kind of thing??

 

[semipro]

great suggestions, always good to learn from experience. I plan to wash everything down with tsp and then mineral spririts, let it dry out then sand with 220 and then based on your recommendations, just hand sand and not use a block or anything like that. Perhaps just one coat of antique walnut satin- think just one coat will hide all the blemishes. Will do the one longer screws if the hinge does not already come with the longer screws. I noticed the hit plate screws on the new door knob were longer than the originals...perhaps they plan ahead for this kind of thing??

Doors that have short screws attaching the striker plate to the door frame are not very durable. Some newer pre-hung doors include metal reinforcement in that area to strengthen. Its definitely better to make sure the striker screws penetrate the wall studs.
I think you could use an electric sander if you want. Just be careful. and don't try to sand out any deep scratches.
Good luck!