How to remove glass from old door and replace it with wood?

Question

I have an old door that has glass panels and is covered with an ugly coating of white film. I would like to replace it with a wooden door. the problem is the door is a custom size and I can't just buy a new standard sized door. My plan is to remove the glass panels and replace them with wood, then paint the whole door to a nice brown wooden color.

What is the best way to remove the glass? After that, how should i replace the holes with wood? (having the old wood in the door and the new wooden inserts line up with the same width is not important)

Close up picture of the glass panel and the plastic film covering the door

Answer 1

What is the best way to remove the glass?

It looks like the glass is held in by 1/4-round wood molding, so I would do this:

• score the paint around the molding with a knife, both where it meets the glass and where it meets the door rabbet/rebate
• use a variety of small tools (e.g. small prybar, cat's paw, hammer, putty knife, etc.) to remove all molding around the glass
• carefully look for and pull any glass retaining clips (if any) around the perimeter of the glass, and any glazing putty that may be there (typically the glass pane would be bedded in putty prior to installation of the molding)
• remove glass pane carefully
• thoroughly clean and prep the rabbet/rebate to prepare it for wood panel install

how should i replace the holes with wood?

• cut a piece of "A" grade exterior 3/8" plywood to size
• install in a similar fashion to how the glass was installed but no putty required and use brand new paint-grade 1/4-round molding that fits the reveal left after the plywood is inserted