subject: How To Wood-grain Stain On Six-panel Painted Doors [print this page] How can I put a wood-grain finish on interior, six-panel hardboard doors that are primed white? Most door manufacturers recommend you to apply stain directly over their dreary or white primer to get a wood grain result, but youll get nicer results by first applying a coat of tinted primer bordering on the fond color of a particular wood. You can have primer tinted at a paint store. Research with dissimilar samples to get a color you reminiscent of.
To stay away from runs, work with the interior door laid flat on sawhorses. Once the primer has dried, clean the outside with denatured alcohol and clean rags, lightly sand the surface using 218 - grit smooth or Scotch-Brite pads, then vacuum the door and pursue with a water-dampened cloth to remove fine dust particles.
You create the wood-grain effect by applying a solvent-based wiping stain over the primer, then wiping the stain down with a lint-free cloth after the stain sets up usually within 12 to 18 minutes. You might consider practicing on the inside of a closet door to get some application understanding. If you dont like what you see, the stain can be wiped off with limestone spirits.
Let the wiped-down stain dry, which may take 24 hours or longer, then either brush or spray on two coats of a high-quality clear top coat (gloss, satin or matte) to draw to a close the project. This top coat protects the stain and assures trouble-free cleaning. Permit the stain to dry completely before you apply the top coat; or else, it will soften the stain and ruin the wood-grain outcome. Oil or waterborne top coats may be used, though some oil products, polyurethanes in particular, tend to yellow. If you choose a waterborne top coat, contact the maker to make sure its similar in disposition with the wiping stain.
Take your time and work in a dust-free environment. The application sequence to the panel solid wooden door may work best in the following order: First wipe down the panels, let them dry and apply the top coat; then finish the inner stiles, followed by the rails and finally the outer stiles. Always follow recommended drying times and contact the manufacturers to assure the compatibility of all the finish products. Solid wood doors dampen sound, insulate, and resist damage better than hollow core doors that require usual replacing.
By the way, most hardboard-door manufacturers have finishing manuals available; some even provide videotapes. When purchasing these doors, always request a finishing manual and read it carefully before you start painting.
