Filling And Painting A Wooden Doorstep

[Atheist]

My front doorstep is sound, but the paint was cracking and lifting. The wood is quite open grained and I think it would be best to fill it before re-painting. I need to find a good filler that can withstand the foot traffic without dropping out. I have some Johnstones floor paint which is suitable for wood. Should I prime the wood before filling? Should I prime the wood after filling?

[TonyV]

I would sand, vacuum to get rid of dust, fill sand then prime.

[woofgang]

Prime after filling. I would use a decking filler. If you have got any softening of the wood, there is also this stuff which I used on my mothers front porch which was going rotten it was completely magic, use before filler and paint. Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Stephen_G]

If your doorstep is open to the elements, I'd check your floor paint first. It might not be suitable for external use. If it's only on the inside then it should be OK. Polycell flexible gap filler is OK for internal and external use, and can be painted when dry, but it can take up to 24 hours to cure properly.

I'd also do everything TonyV said.

[Atheist]

Thanks. I don't know what filler to use. Is a two part filler best, or would an ordinary external wood filler be ok?

[TonyV]

I would just use normal exterior filler if its protected well with paint, which is what you plan to do it will be fine. Some recommendations in woofgangs post.

[Atheist]

Thanks Stephen. The paint can says it's suitable for garage floors and doorsteps, so I would presume it's ok for a front doorstep. I think that flexibility is a good attribute.

[Atheist]

Thanks Tony.

[Atheist]

I wonder if Builder has any advice.

[TonyV]

Probably will when he pops in.