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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Staning a wood front door
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Question
The subject is a beautiful, solid wood front door to our home. It is 12 years old and needs re-staining to make it look it best. So far I have roughly sanded it down. Need advise on what kind of stain/ finishing I need and any advise on how to do the job well. Thank you.
Hi Brian...it really depends on what condition the finish is in...it's always better to strip off a failed finish with stripper, as sanding does not remove the old finish at the pore level, and can interfere with adhesion and cause premature failure of the new finish.More than just a simple sanding is required, it really needs to be prepped well unless you want to do it again in a year or two. In most cases there would have been stain and several coats of exterior or Spar varnish on an entryway door.I would suggest a Gel stain, followed by 3 coats of Spar Urethane or other exterior finish. The General Gel stains are excellent, and the Minwax Spar Urethane is a decent, easy to find product.Theree are also newer, waterborne exterior finishes that are much improved...not sure what rules California has for such coatings.. Post back if need be- regards- Greg
http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2005555/GENERAL-Gel-Top-Coat-and-Stains.aspx
http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2003806/SYSTEM-THREE-Urethane-Spar-Varnish.aspx
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| Comment | Thank you, Greg, for this excellent response. because of the thanksgiving holiday I am not going to be able to 'do' anything to the door (not until after the holidays). But it looks to me that you've answered the question for me and I am all set to go. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Greg Scholl
Expertise
Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.
Experience
Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.
Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")
Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.
Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.
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