When buying top quality, hand crafted exterior doors, it is always important to consider having the stain put on the door at the company. This is particularly true if the door has sidelites, a transom or both as these are considerably more complicated to stain perfectly to the same color of the stained doors without proper experience.
However, even if you do buy stained doors from the company, there will come a time when the stain needs to be redone. This will depend on the exposure of the door to direct sun, rain and wind as well as the wear and tear on the door over time.
Removing Doors
The key to getting stained doors to have a beautiful, uniform application of stain without streaking or running is to remove the door before doing any work. This is done by removing the hinges and then placing the door on a flat surface.
Do not use an uneven surface as this can damage the door. It can also cause the door to rub in some areas and scratch and damage the wood or the glass.
Remove the Old Stain
Use the stain remover recommended by the company. Stained doors will need to be stripped of the old stain and then washed and sanded before new stain is applied. Sanding is used to create a smooth, uniform surface which will take the new stain and create a consistent color.
Always make sure the door completely dries between each step and remove any grit or debris from sanding with a soft cloth. The cleaner and smoother the door is, the better the final result with stained doors of any wood type.
Apply the New Stain
When choosing stain for your stained doors use a stain type recommended by the door manufacturer. Apply the stain according to directions, working in small areas, and completing the entire door at one time. Avoid doing only parts of the door as this will cause irregular coloration.
Allow the stain to dry completely before applying the varnish or sealant to stained doors. The sidelites and transom will be done using the same process, but they will not be taken down to prepare and stain.
If you are not comfortable with the process, most carpenters and painters can also complete your stained doors. Be sure to ask about their experience and expertise to ensure they can do the job the way you want it done.
Let us handle the stain on all the stained doors from our extensive online inventory. As the first door company to sell doors online, we have the experience to make your door look beautiful. To learn more visit Nick’s Building Supply, Inc. or go to www.nicksbuilding.com. You can also visit our Facebook page for more information.
