It is crucial to finish your door within 24 hours of delivery to prevent warping and swelling caused by exposure to water or sunlight.
It is strongly recommended to avoid staining or painting the door with a dark color, especially if it will be exposed to direct sunlight. The combination of the sun and a dark finish can generate excess heat and prematurely age your door.
Materials Needed
• BLP Jack Tar High Gloss Ext. Marine Spar Varnish
• 000 Steel Wool • 220 Grit Sandpaper • Minwax Stain or Equivalent
• High Quality Urethane Brush • Natural Brush for Stain
• Dry Non-abrasive Cloths
Finishing Instructions
• If the door or frame has glass, use masking tape to cover the edges. This will protect the glass from scratches during sanding and prevent the stain from seeping behind it.
• Use 220-grit sandpaper to sand the door in the direction of the wood grain. This prepares the surface for staining.
• Wipe the sanded door surface with a dry, non-abrasive cloth to remove any dust.
• Apply stain to all six sides of the door (front, back, top, bottom, side 1, and side 2), and allow it to dry completely.
• Apply the first coat of varnish to all six sides using a brush. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying time.
• Lightly buff the varnished surface with 000 steel wool and wipe it with a dry, nonabrasive cloth to remove any dust.
• Apply the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th coats of varnish, buffing with steel wool between each coat. For doors exposed to high sun and dark stain, a 5th coat is necessary.
Maintenance
Doors should be inspected 1-2 times a year and re-varnished with at least 1 coat every 2 years. However, dark stained doors and doors with high sun exposure should be revarnished every year.
Here are the steps for re-varnishing a door:
• Clean the surface of the door unit.
• Lightly buff with 220 grit sandpaper or 000 steel wool.
• Wipe the door surface to remove dust.
• Use a brush to apply 1 coat of varnish to all six sides.
