What is the mysterious chalkyconcrete substance on my bedroom door and could it possibly contain asbestos fibers, and how can I paint over it to match the rest of the wood?
Asked by Leo Koskela 
2 months ago
Last Updated: November 1, 2024
I’m kind of a beginner when it comes to DIY stuff, so I could really use some advice. I recently moved into an old flat in London and I wanted to repaint the bedroom doors. I decided to start by stripping the old paint off, but after a few layers, I noticed this chalky/concrete substance on one of the panels. The rest of the door still has its original wood finish. I have a few questions: 1. Any idea what that chalky/concrete stuff might be made of? 2. I saw some small fibers in it which I vacuumed up, so they’re not in the pictures I attached. Could those fibers be asbestos? 3. What’s the best way to paint over that chalky/concrete so it looks seamless with the rest of the wood on the door? Thanks for any help!
I’m not sure I can help with your question, but do you happen to know how old your apartment door is? You might want to consider reaching out to a historical society or an archaeologist if it’s quite ancient. Best of luck to you!
I’m thinking it might be a sort of “Swedish putty” treatment applied to cover up damage or make a repair to achieve a flat and smooth surface. It could have also been used to even out rough wood grain. No need to stress about it. Just sand it down until smooth and paint over it, or scrape it off before sanding.