Staining Guide: Woodgrain
Materials Needed
- Lint-free cloth
- Mineral Spirits
- Rubber gloves
- Masking tape
- 3″ – 4″ soft bristle brush
Step 1
- Lay door horizontally on saw horses or a table.
- Remove all the hardware and mask off anything you don’t want stained such as the glass insert.
- DO NOT SAND GRAIN FIBERGLASS.
- Wipe the door with warm soapy water to clean any dust or residue from the surface. Allow door surface to dry completely before applying stain.
Step 2
First Coat- Starting at the center of the door, Stain one to two panels at a time. Apply enough stain with a 3” to 4” soft bristle brush, or rag. Apply enough stain to fill the door grain. (Refer to the door staining diagram.)
- With a clean, lint-free 24×24 inch cloth, softly wipe the surface until you reach your desired tone.
TIP: When the rag become saturated with stain, re-fold to work with a less- saturated section. Be sure to use the same rag for the whole door. - After all the stain is brushed evenly you may add finishing touches by using a small 1” to 2” brush or cotton swabs.
Second Coat (if desired)Allow the door to dry for at least 48 hours, between coats. Repeat as above.
Step 3 Protective Top Coat
Application of polyurethane top coat with UV inhibitors like ZAR™ Exterior polyurethane, Wood Kote® Fast Drying Polyurethane for exterior applications.
- After stain has completely dried(48 hours), mix top coat well and apply evenly using a clean dry 2” soft bristle brush or 3” foam brush. Be sure to stop when the grain changes direction.
- Apply two or three coats of finish, allowing at least 24 hours of drying time between each application.
Normal Maintenance
Even a well-finished fiberglass door will be affected by exposure and weathering from sun, moisture and air pollutants. It is considered normal maintenance to re-apply the topcoat approximately every two years.