We lacquer or repaint interior doors, frames and other woodwork in apartments and villas across Málaga province. Doors are removed where possible, ironmongery is taken off, and the surface is cleaned, repaired, sanded and primed before the lacquer finish is applied. Frames are done in place. We also hang wallpaper. Each door is counted individually in the quote, so you can see exactly what is included.
Why lacquer old doors rather than replace them?
Many apartments on the Costa del Sol still have their original solid or veneered doors in dark varnished wood. They are often good, heavy doors that close well; it is the colour that dates the home. Replacing them means new frames, adjusting openings and making good the plaster around each one, which can turn a simple update into a much larger job.
Lacquering keeps the doors and frames you have and changes the finish. Combined with flat, freshly painted walls, it is one of the most effective ways to bring an older home up to date. It is also less disruptive, because the openings and the plaster around them are left untouched.
Which doors are suitable for lacquering?
Most solid timber and veneered interior doors lacquer well. Things we check during the visit:
- Condition of the veneer. Lifting or missing veneer can be repaired in small areas; extensive damage may make a replacement more sensible.
- Glazed panels. Doors with glass need extra masking and care around the beads.
- Mouldings. Heavily moulded doors take more preparation time than flat ones.
- Previous finishes. Waxed or oiled surfaces need thorough cleaning so the new finish bonds.
- Warping or poor closing. A door that sticks or does not latch is adjusted before finishing, not after.
If a door is not worth saving, we tell you and include an alternative in the quote.
How is the work carried out?
Doors are taken off their hinges where possible and the handles, hinges and locks removed so the finish runs cleanly into every edge. Each door is cleaned and degreased, dents and splits are filled, and the whole surface is sanded to give the primer something to grip. Primer is essential when going from dark varnish to a light colour; without it, the old colour and the grain show through.
The lacquer is then applied in a clean, dust-controlled area and left to cure before the doors are rehung. Frames and architraves are prepared and finished in place, with floors and walls protected around them. The ironmongery goes back on at the end, or new handles are fitted if you have chosen them.
Can you also change handles and hinges?
Yes. Changing the handles at the same time is a small extra with a big visual effect, especially when going from brass-coloured fittings to a matt black or brushed finish. If the new handle has a different footprint from the old one, the holes and marks are filled and finished before lacquering so nothing shows.
Hinges are usually reused if they are in good condition. Doors that drag on new flooring can be trimmed at the same time, which is worth planning if new floors are also being laid.
Do you also hang wallpaper?
Yes, as part of a wider interior finishing job. Wallpaper needs a perfectly flat, sealed surface; over gotelé or patched walls every bump shows through. That is why wallpaper often follows a skim of the wall in question. We hang standard and wide-width papers and feature murals, and we can remove old wallpaper before preparing the wall again.
Because the coastal climate brings humid spells, we pay particular attention to the paper and adhesive chosen for rooms that are closed up for part of the year, such as holiday homes.
How does door lacquering fit into the overall sequence?
Ideally, doors are lacquered after the dusty wall work and before the final coats on the walls, so that any marks on fresh paint caused by rehanging can be touched up. Frames are finished in the same window. If floors are being replaced, the door bottoms are checked after the floor goes in.
When the whole home is being updated, our interior painting service and our gotelé removal service are scheduled together with the doors, so the property is finished in a single coordinated run.
How should I compare quotes for door lacquering?
Check that each quote counts doors and frames separately, states whether doors are taken off and finished in a controlled area, says whether primer is included and specifies whether ironmongery is reused or replaced. A quote that just says “lacquer doors” with a single figure leaves too many questions open. Our checklist for hiring a painter lists the other points worth asking about. For the cost factors, see presupuestoreforma.eu.
What colour and finish work best on interior doors?
White remains the most requested option because it sits comfortably with almost any wall colour and makes hallways feel lighter. Soft off-whites and greys are popular in homes with warm floors, while darker tones such as charcoal or deep green are increasingly chosen for a single statement door or for doors in a room with a strong colour scheme.
The level of sheen matters as much as the colour. A satin finish is easier to wipe and hides fingerprints better than a high gloss, which shows every small imperfection in the timber below. Matt finishes look contemporary but mark more easily on doors that are used many times a day. We show you finished samples so you can see and touch the difference before deciding, and frames and skirting boards are normally finished in the same colour and sheen as the doors for a consistent result. If you are unsure, start with one door and decide on the rest once you have seen it hanging in your own hallway.
Bauman Raymond Attila · Quitar Gotelé Málaga · Avenida Antonio Belón 3, Marbella. Last reviewed: 05/11/2026.
