How to Stain a Fiberglass Door

Fiberglass doors are a low-maintenance alternative to wooden doors and homeowners often find them more user-friendly than standard doors. Staining fiberglass differentiates from normal wood staining due to the inability of the fiberglass to absorb the average wood stain. Alternative gel stains have been developed for fiberglass doors that are easy to use and often come available in kits including both the stain and the finish. Application is easy if you have a bit of time on your hands.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Glass cleaner
• Razor blade
• Mineral spirits or denatured alcohol
• Soft cloth
• Painter's tape
• Oil-based gel stain
• Painter's brush
• Clear finish
• Caulk

1. Remove the doorknob and other hardware from the door. You may try masking the hardware, but complete removal is best when finishing.

2. Eliminate excess window glazing (rubberized caulk) with a razor blade and remove the weatherstripping on the bottom of the door -- this should pull off easily. Clean any remaining caulk residue with a glass cleaner.

3. Thoroughly clean the door surface with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol and a clean cloth. If excessive dirt is present, clean first with soap and water and follow with the other solvents. Thoroughly air dry, then mask the door glass with painter's tape and paper.

4. Apply a small amount of oil-based gel stain on a quality bristle brush, applying a light, even coat beginning at the door edges in keeping with the direction of the grain. Move on to an unstained area, blending toward the area you just finished staining while working the stain into the surface.

5. Blend sections together and remove excess stain from the brush with a cloth to control the intensity of the stain color. Apply a clear topcoat after 24 hours and repeat for a minimum of three clear coats. Let dry an additional 24 hours before reattaching hardware and recaulking the glass.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a combination rag/brush method, applying the stain with a rag and blending with the brush.
• Do not sand a fiberglass door; it will destroy it.

References

• Staining a Fiberglass Door

Resources

• Painting Fiberglass Doors & Finishing Tips