How to Stain a Wood Entry Door

Stain your exterior wood door to give it a whole new look.

A wood entry door is exposed to a lot of wear and tear from the weather elements. Whether your wood door is brand new or an existing door, applying stain will spruce up the appearance of the door and provide protection against the elements. You can apply stain to a wood door relatively quickly without enlisting the help of a professional. Using a high-quality, oil-based exterior wood stain and methods to stain an exterior wood door will produce professional-grade results at a fraction of the price.

Things You'll Need

• Oil-based exterior wood stain
• Drop cloth
• Painter's tape
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Rags
• Mineral spirits
• Paint stirrer
• 2-inch foam brush

Instructions

1. Lay down a drop cloth on the floor on both the inside and the outside to protect the floors and ground from the stain. Tape off any areas, such as hinges, door handles and other hardware with painter's tape.

2. Sand the door with 120-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface to help the stain to adhere properly and to remove any existing stain that may be left on the door.

3. Run a tack cloth all over the door. Follow up by wiping down the entire door with a rag dampened with mineral spirits to pick up any dust left on the door from sanding. Ensure the surface is smooth and clean before you apply the stain.

4. Stir the can of stain thoroughly. Use a paint stirrer to stir with long, smooth strokes to avoid creating bubbles.

5. Apply the stain to the door using a methodical pattern. Apply it to the panels and sticking first, followed by the vertical center portions of the door, the horizontal areas such as the rails, the outside vertical areas and finally the edges of the door.

6. Dip a 2-inch foam brush into the can to absorb a moderate amount of stain. Run the brush along the rim of the can to remove any excess or dripping stain.

7. Brush the stain onto the door, working in the correct order of areas. Brush the stain on thin, and work in the direction of the wood's grain.

8. Run a rag lightly over the stained area to smooth it out and rub it into the wood. Dampen a rag with mineral spirits, and wipe any unwanted stain off of any areas of the door while working.

9. Continue this process, applying the stain in the recommended order. Allow the stain to completely dry according to the manufacturer's recommended drying time. Apply a second coat of stain in the same manner, if desired, after the first coat has dried completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply a top coat to the wooden door after the final coat of stain has dried completely. The top coat is not necessary but will provide added protection against the elements. Apply the top coat in the same manner you applied the stain. Choose a clear, exterior polyurethane top coat with UV protection.

• The more coats of stain you apply, the deeper the color results.

References

• Bayer Built: How to Stain Wood-Grain Textured Fiberglass Doors
• Harvest Creek Millwork: Solid Wood Door Finishing
• Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association International: Wood Door Finishing Guidelines

Resources

• Apartment Therapy: How To Stain a Wood Door