A stained door can look beautiful if it is done right. Whether using a dark mahogany stain or a light natural one, staining a wood door is quite simple. If you are doing it yourself, you will be happy to know that it can be done in 5 steps or less.
Materials you will need: wood conditioner (optional), stain, brushes, rags, topcoat
All these materials can be found at a local paint store, hardware store, or home improvement store.
Step 1: The first step is choosing a stain color. If you have scrap pieces of the exact wood you will be staining, bring them to the store and ask if they will put some stain samples on your wood. This will provide the most accurate idea of what the color will look like.
Step 2: It may be easiest to set the door on 2 sawhorses. If the door you will be staining is already coated with a varnish, be sure to remove the varnish by sanding it off. You will want to be sure that the door is completely free of any signs of varnish, or the door will not take the stain in some areas and will look blotchy. After sanding, wipe the door down with a clean cloth or tack cloth.
Step 3: Some species of wood do not take stains evenly. In these cases, a wood conditioner can be applied to the door. Check ahead of time whether the type of wood you are staining should be conditioned or not. Apply the wood conditioner and let it absorb for at least 15 minutes (but no longer than 2 hours).
Step 4: Open your can of stain. Remember to stir it often, especially if it was tinted, because the pigments will often settle at the bottom. You can either use a brush or a clean rag to apply the stain. Always work with the wood grain – never go against it. Let the stain sit on the door for the desired amount of time, then wipe it off with a clean rag. In most cases, the longer it sits, the darker the door will be. If it is not as dark as you would have liked, apply a 2nd coat. Once it has dried, flip the door over and stain the other side.
Step 5: Wait the recommended amount of time (check the label on the can), then apply the topcoat with a good quality brush. Possible topcoats include water- or oil-based polyurethanes, spar-urethanes, or lacquers. The type of topcoat depends on whether it is an interior or exterior door. Let it dry. Lightly sand and apply a second coat.
Be aware, though, that these steps do not apply to fiberglass doors. Fiberglass doors should be stained using a gel stain, as they do not take regular stains very well.
If you follow these steps, you will not have a problem staining your wood doors. Staining a door is pretty easy. If you do it right the first time, you will end up with a beautifully-stained new door.
References: Personal experience
