Wood Door Care and Finishing
Handling
- Do not walk on any door units. Some contain glass.
- Avoid dragging doors across one another and keep doors clean.
- Store doors flat on a level surface in a dry, well ventilated building. Keep doors at least 4” off floor.
- Doors should be conditioned to average prevailing relative humidity of the locality before hanging.
- Doors should not be subjected to extreme or rapid changes in heat or humidity.
- If the doors are to be stored on the job site, all ends and edges must be sealed with an effective quality oil-based sealer in order to prevent undue moisture absorption.
Finishing Options
- Paint dealers have a broad selection of color chips on hand to demonstrate the look you can achieve when staining fine woods such as Mahogany.
- If you choose to paint instead of stain, you can apply either oil-base or latex resin-base paints over an oil-base primer. However, take care in following the finishing instructions provided. Also, be sure to evaluate the conditions your new door must endure, such as direct exposure to severe climates, before deciding on the specific finish to use. Painting door BLACK will VOID warranty.
Preparation For Finishing
- Before applying the first coat of finish, sand the entire surface lightly with 5/0 sandpaper (180 grit). This is to remove fingerprints and handling marks. Then, lightly re-sand with 220 grit.
- Adjust or align components if necessary before finishing. Wood panels “float” and may be knocked into alignment with a wood block and hammer. Be careful not to damage door.
- After sanding, clean door thoroughly with a tack cloth to remove all dust or foreign material. However, avoid using liquid, chemicals or other abrasive cleaners. Mineral spirits clean and dry quickly.
- Hang door before finishing, and then remove to finish properly.
- ALL surfaces of the door must be properly finished. The edges (top, bottom, and sides) should be coated with each and every coat of finish that is applied to the exterior surface of the door. Doors MUST be dry before finishing.
- On doors that are glazed with glass, the finish used should be flowed from the wood slightly onto the glass. This will provide additional assurance against water leakage.
Exterior Finishing
Stain and Clear Finish
The first coat should be a stain and sealer, a combination of stain and sealer, which colors the door and seals the surface. It is available in a wide range of colors. The stain and sealer should have an alkyd-resin base. Under no circumstances should a lacquer-based finish be used on exterior doors.
The second and third coats (three top coats minimum) may be a solvent-borne (oil-base, alkyd-resin base) or a water-borne (latex resin-base) clear finish. Never apply thick coats; 3-5 light coats will give best results.
The advantages and disadvantages of solvent-borne vs. water-borne clear finishes are as follows:
- Solvent-Borne Advantages: Faster drying, harder and more water resistant. May be applied under variable weather conditions. Spar varnish is recommended.
Disadvantages: Subject to some ultraviolet degradation and not as flexible or durable as water-borne clear finish. - Water-Borne Advantages: Very flexible, greater ultra-violet resistance, and good exterior durability.
Disadvantages: Cannot be applied below 50 degrees F, long drying period required, and may not fully cure for several weeks. Water-sensitive until cure is complete. NOTE: Do not sand between coats of clear latex.
All stain and clear finishes will perform measurably better if protected from the direct effects of sunlight and weathering, and refinishing will not be required as frequently.
Paint Finish
Either oil-base or latex resin-base exterior grade paints may be used with success on panel doors. Oil-base paints offer more resistance to the passage of water (liquid and vapor) than latex resin-base paints, but the latter have better durability and color retention.
Doors should be sealed with a good quality oil-base primer followed by two top coats of either an oil-base or latex resin-base paint. Of course, both primer and top coat should be made by the same manufacturer and be designed to be used as a combination. NOTE: Where possible exposure to direct sun or rain is a factor, doors should be sealed with a premium quality oil-base primer followed by two topcoats of a premium quality oil-base paint.
Caution
The door manufacturer cannot evaluate all the available paints and stains, or the customer’s specific application requirements. Your paint dealer should know of suitable finish systems that give satisfactory results in your region. It is highly recommended that top quality finishes be selected, and application instructions on the container be followed explicitly.
Interior Finishing
Stain and Clear Finish
A solvent-borne finish system is recommended for interior doors and may be lacquer-based system. If a brush application is to be used, it is recommended that a pre-sealer be used prior to staining. For best performance, a minimum of two clear topcoats should be used over stains.
Paint Finish
Doors should be sealed with a good quality oil-base primer followed by two topcoats of solvent-base or latex enamel.
Maintenance
Your new wood door has been handcrafted to last for years to come. But, like any fine piece of furniture, its finish will require some simple, periodic maintenance to keep it looking great and provide proper protection against the elements. Regular finish maintenance is also a requirement of the warranty. Complete routine inspections are suggested every 6 months.
Here are some signs to watch for. They indicate that it is time for some simple, easy to perform maintenance:
- Hairline cracks in the topcoat of finish.
- Changes in the color of the finish.
- Changes in the texture of the finish, such as flaking or scaling.
- Dullness or chalkiness in the finish.
If you live in a severe climate or your entry receives a lot of direct sunlight from a southern or western exposure, you will want to examine your door’s finish more frequently.
