How To Stain Woodgrain Doors

Materials Needed

  1. Lint-free cloth
  2. Mineral Spirits
  3. Rubber gloves
  4. Masking tape
  5. 3"- 4" soft bristle brush
  6. ZAR™ Stain, Wood Kote®, Jel'd Stain, Minwax® Gel Stain, etc.

Step 1: Surface Preparation

  1. Lay door horizontally on saw horses or a table.
  2. Remove all the hardware and mask off anything you don't want stained such as the glass insert.
  3. DO NOT SAND GRAINED FIBERGLASS.
  4. Wipe the door with mineral spirits or acetone to clean any dust or residue from the surface. Allow door surface to dry completely before applying stain.

Step 2: Stain Application

First Coat

  1. Starting at the center of the door, stain one to two panels at a time. Apply 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.)
  2. With a clean, lint-free 24 x 24 inch cloth, softly wipe the surface until you reach your desired tone. TIP: When the rag becomes saturated with stain, re-fold to work with a less-saturated section. Be sure to use the same rag for the whole door.
  3. 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)

  1. ALLOW THE DOOR TO DRY FOR AT LEAST 48 HRS. BETWEEN COATS.
  2. Repeat as above.

Step 3: Protective Top Coat

Application of polyurethane top coat with UV inhibitors like ZAR™ Exterior polyurethane, Wood Kote® Flagship UV, or Minwax® Fast Drying Polyurethane for exterior applications

  1. After stain has completely dried (48 hours), mix the 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.
  2. 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.