Expert Paint Removal in Portland Heights: Restoring a Historic Entryway

Paint removal is a delicate process—especially when working with historic homes in neighborhoods like Portland Heights. At Mountain Painting Company, we were recently tasked with removing decades of old paint from a beautiful original front door as part of a larger exterior project on a classic home in this iconic Portland neighborhood.

This project wasn’t a full exterior stripping job, but it did include a complete paint removal and restoration of the front door, along with a full exterior repaint. The results were a major curb appeal upgrade, achieved by preserving the home’s architectural integrity while preparing it for years of protection and beauty.

Why Paint Removal Was Necessary

Like many homes in Portland Heights, this house had been repainted several times over the years. The front door, a solid wood original likely installed when the home was built in the early 1900s, had been coated layer after layer until the details were almost lost. Rather than cover it again, our team recommended full paint removal to restore the craftsmanship beneath.

Our Paint Removal Process

We used a combination of safe and effective techniques to strip the door down to bare wood. This included a careful mix of heat application and chemical paint removers, followed by detailed scraping and sanding. As always, we followed lead-safe work practices, which are especially important in older Portland Heights homes where lead-based paint may be present.

Once the paint was removed, we repaired minor imperfections, stained the door to bring out the rich natural grain, and sealed it with a durable, weather-resistant clear coat. The end result was a showpiece entry that elevated the entire look of the home.

Preservation Over Replacement

Too often, historic elements like doors and windows are replaced when they could be restored. Paint removal allows homeowners to maintain the authenticity of their home while upgrading its appearance and performance. In this case, removing old paint gave the door a new life and provided a beautiful contrast to the fresh coat of paint applied across the rest of the home’s exterior.

Serving Portland Heights and Beyond

We specialize in paint removal for historic homes throughout Portland Heights and the greater Portland area. Whether you’re considering restoring a single feature like a door or window, or you’re exploring a larger exterior preservation project, Mountain Painting Company can help.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our paint removal services. We’re proud to help protect and enhance Portland’s architectural heritage—one project at a time.

Location: Portland, OR