
Iron doors take a beating in Florida's climate — salt air, humidity, and direct sun wear them down fast. We strip the old finish, remove rust and surface damage, then rebuild the door from bare metal using professional primers and topcoats. The result is a smooth, factory-quality finish that protects the door and restores its presence at the front of your home.

Wood doors lose their color and protection over time, especially with Florida's heat and moisture. We prep the surface carefully — sanding, cleaning, and correcting any damage — before applying a fresh finish that brings the grain and warmth back. The work is done with attention to how wood moves and responds, so the finish holds up well season after season.

When a door has years of wear, fading, or neglect, a full restoration is the right approach. We assess the door's condition, address structural and surface issues, and work through a complete refinishing process. The goal is to return it to a state that matches — or improves — what it looked like when it was new.

Rust is the enemy of any iron door, and it gets worse the longer it's ignored. We remove rust manually and mechanically, treating deep corrosion at the source before any primer or paint goes on. Surface preparation is the most important step in refinishing — it's where long-lasting results are built or lost.

Not every door needs to be black. We offer a range of custom paint finishes and specialty looks, including textures and tones that match the architecture and style of the home. Every finish is chosen and applied based on what the door needs and what the homeowner wants to see when they pull into their driveway.

A copper faux finish adds depth and character that a standard painted door simply cannot replicate. We apply this by hand using a layered technique that creates a realistic, high-end metal appearance. It's a popular choice for homes in Naples and Coral Gables where the entryway is a design feature, not just a functional element.

We use professional HVLP spray systems on every project — the same equipment used in high-end automotive and furniture finishing. This produces a smooth, even coat with no brush marks, roller texture, or uneven buildup. The finish looks cleaner, cures harder, and holds up better than anything applied with a brush and roller.

Garage doors cover a large portion of a home's front face, and a faded or peeling garage door pulls down the entire look of the property. We refinish garage doors using the same methodical process as entry doors — proper prep, quality primer, and a durable topcoat that stands up to daily use and direct sun exposure.

A quality topcoat is what keeps a refinish looking good for years instead of months. We apply a protective clear coat that seals the finish against UV damage, moisture, and rust. This is the final step in our process, and it's what separates a job that holds up from one that starts peeling again before the year is out.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Southern Door Refinishing started with a specific focus — iron and wood door restoration for homeowners who care about how their home looks. Owner Gerry Kelley built the business around that single specialty, not as a side service within a broader painting company. From Naples to Miami, every project goes through the same detailed process: assess, prepare, prime, finish, and protect. That focus is what drives the quality of the work.
Florida's coastal climate is hard on exterior doors. Salt air, humidity, and intense UV exposure break down finishes quickly — especially on iron doors that were not properly restored to begin with. The process used at Southern Door Refinishing is built for these conditions. From rust treatment and epoxy priming to HVLP spray application and protective topcoats, every step is chosen for durability, not just appearance.


Southern Door Refinishing does not offer general painting, pressure washing, or handyman work. Every project is an iron or wood door. That level of specialization means the process, tools, and materials are dialed in to produce a result that a generalist simply cannot match.
There is a visible difference between a brush-and-roll paint job and a professional HVLP spray finish. The coating is smoother, more even, and far more durable. Using spray equipment borrowed from high-end automotive work, the finish on your door will look clean and hold up properly against Florida's weather.
Homeowners who work with Southern Door Refinishing know what to expect before the job starts. The site is kept clean, the timeline is clear, and the work is done with the attention to detail that high-end homes and HOA communities expect. No surprises on the job, and no corners cut to move faster.
Homes in Naples, Coral Gables, and Fort Myers deal with a level of humidity, salt exposure, and UV intensity that most of the country does not. The restoration process — from rust treatment to topcoat selection — is built around those specific conditions. The goal is a finish that still looks good two or three years from now.
The cost of iron door refinishing in Naples depends on the door's size, its current condition, and the finish you choose. A single iron entry door typically costs less than replacing it outright, and the result is often indistinguishable from a new door. For an accurate number, we assess the door first — contact us at (888) 365-6104 to schedule a look.
Most iron and wood door refinishing projects are completed in one day. More involved restorations — doors with heavy rust, deep surface damage, or multi-layer old paint — may require two visits to allow proper drying and curing time between coats. We will give you a realistic timeline before we start so you can plan around it.
Yes, most doors are refinished in place. We prep and tape the surrounding area carefully so the frame, glass, and hardware are protected throughout the process. For doors with significant rust or structural issues, removal may be recommended — but in most cases, the work is done on-site with no disruption to the entryway itself.
Repainting means applying paint over whatever surface is already there. Refinishing means stripping the door back, treating any rust or damage, priming correctly for metal or wood, and then applying a finish with professional equipment. The results last significantly longer because the prep work creates a clean surface for the new coating to bond to properly.
We work on both iron and wood exterior doors. Wood doors require a different prep process than iron — the surface responds differently to moisture and sanding — but the standard for quality is the same. Whether your front door is a carved mahogany slab or a painted iron double door, we can assess it and restore it.
If the paint is peeling in large sections, rust is visible on an iron door, or the wood surface is cracking or fading significantly, a full refinish is the right call. Touch-ups work for very small areas of early wear. Applying a new topcoat over failing old paint will not hold — it needs to come off before anything new goes on.
It does, and we account for that from the start. Salt air and UV exposure in Naples, Miami Beach, and Coral Gables are significantly harder on exterior finishes than in most other parts of the country. Using rust-inhibiting primers, UV-resistant topcoats, and HVLP spray application helps the finish hold up well in these conditions — typically several years with basic maintenance.
We serve both Southwest Florida and the Miami-Dade area, including Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and surrounding neighborhoods. Iron door refinishing in Miami follows the same process as our Naples work — the coastal climate challenges are similar, and the client expectations are consistent. Call (888) 365-6104 to discuss your project regardless of which area you are in.