edge of door. What's left behind will settle into the tiny grooves in the molded wood grain and dry to a solid color. Wait about 10 seconds for the mix to dissolve the finish. Pull the hinge pins, take down the door and lay it flat on a pair of sawhorses. stripper according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Common household washing bleach (5.25% hydrochloric acid) will bleach out the color of stain in most cases. Results may vary; it is always advised to test To remove the door from the frame, use a center punch and hammer. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. The stain from the manufacturer began to blister. frames can be abraded,therefore great care in the method of removal is advised. If the door is made of fiberglass, you can strip with a chemical stripper just as you would if the door were made of wood. That ensures that old paint won't continue to flake off and ruin the new finish. Use a paintbrush to apply it evenly over the wood, slightly overlapping brushstrokes for complete coverage. Allow to sit for five minutes then scrape off with putty knife or scraper tool. That leaves only two options for the Varathane clear coat: You could possibly paint over the existing door after cleaning or sanding. He purchased a fiberglass prestained (mahogany) a number of years ago. fiberglass door staining instructions c) staining the door Use a high quality, heavily pigmented, oil-based stain (recommended). Wear a respirator, safety glasses and rubber gloves when using paint stripper. resistant softening with prolonged exposure to certain chemicals/solvents.After the Single and Double Prehung Doors: Remove the door slabs from the prehung frame. Any prolonged exposure will Use masking tape to cover lite frame (if applicable) as well as door edges. and, while twisting, pull the pin out. When the gel stain is completely dry, apply to coat over it. Stain color can be adjusted by the amount of time you allow the stain to sit on the door / sample before brushing and how much pressure you apply when brushing. Make sure the coat of stain stripper is even and thick. You can google the reason why you will see other methods -this is what works for Dfranco Finishes and what we will warranty. If you kick a fiberglass door, it won’t dent or ding. It is truly a gel and does not drip, so I just brush it on. Unscrew the doorknob, latch and any other hardware with a screwdriver, and remove it. Let the door dry thoroughly. Go in the direction of the grain of the door. The PVC edge of the door and the ABS or PVC window frame is not Strike the hinge pin from the bottom until it pops up (for outswing units – hinge leaf must be removed from the door). On your oak door the bleach should return the color to a somewhat yellowish hue. Avoid stronger, more caustic products, because they will probably damage the fiberglass. Work the brush in long movements. Apply stain liberally in this small area with the sponge brush and remove excess stain gradually until the depth of color is satisfactory. small areas before proceeding with the whole door. stiff bristle brushes are used on the chemically softened surface,the door edge or window Apply the stain. When certain grades of Using a pair of pliers, grasp the hinge pin and, while twisting, pull the pin out. wood grain surfaces, use a medium to soft brush to clean the recessed Apply stripper to the fiberglass door surface, dwell, and remove Don't try to stain your door all at once, as this can increase the heaviness of the staining. Apply a thick layer of the stain stripper to the wood using a paintbrush. Stain the edges of the door first, and then move towards the middle of the door. Clean … Wipe the entire door with a rag moistened with denatured alcohol after you've finished stripping both sides. Quickly restore shine to fiberglass while cleaning away mildew and grime using vinegar. Obtain a feel for the staining process by picking a small, flat area on the door to practice. Vinegar is a slightly acidic solution that breaks down crud and dirt while leaving a streak-free shine. But of course if there is a top coat finish over it, that will have to be removed first. The health and safety of our employees and customers is our top priority. It gets a lot of sun in the summer. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Acetone is effective in removing stains from fiberglass doors. Remove hinges, door sweep and lockset. to chemicals; stripper must not dwell on those surfaces. Wipe again with a dry rag, and if the rag picks up any residue, clean the door again with alcohol. Dip the brush about an inch into the stain, using the rim of the can to remove excess. The brush is used to remove excess stain and blend one section into another. chemicals/solvents have evaporated,the surface hardness will return. damage to those surfaces. I used some light sand paper to remove the blistered areas. I use gel stain for the fiberglass doors. Sand the door lightly with 120-grit sandpaper before you repaint it. Gel stains can also be used. Step 3 Remove the mix immediately, using #0000 steel wool to wipe away both stripper and polyurethane. Apply the top coat in multi-layer. Chemical resistant gloves and Chemical splash goggles. If after seve… • Remove all hardware from door and cover glass windows. Using a stripper on a fiberglass door is easy; apply the stripper and wait according directions, use a scouring pad to help loosen the finish, then rinse well with water. normally a paint remover will not take stain out, but the bleach will. Remove all door hardware. To stay within the time limit, apply stripper to only a small area at a time and wipe away the residue immediately. Klean Strip- Premium Stripper (Non-Methylene chloride), Small metal container(s) for Stripper and Mineral Spirits. cause Some people may think that using more acetone can do the job faster—doing so can damage your fiberglass door. Step 1 Remove the door from its hinges by unscrewing the vertical screw that holds the door on the doorjamb. Remove excess stain using a clean rag. The wood-grain door can be either painted or stained. Paint methylene chloride-based stripper with an old paintbrush. Work to blend the stained sections together evenly. It's also important to neutralize the surface immediately after stripping. The combination makes for an excellent fiberglass cleaner. As soon as the paint begins to soften, scrape it off with a putty knife. The problem staining a fiberglass door is the stain has nothing to bite on to. So, for the first three steps of your project, there shouldn't be any issue with leaving the door hung. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. Then, carefully brush it across the surface of the wood you want to remove stain from until the entire surface is covered. Wipe each section with a rag dampened with denatured alcohol after you strip it to neutralize the stripper. First wipe down the door with a clean cloth to remove dust. It's best to sand by hand. Went to Lowe's and got Minwax old oak stain. You'll notice the color gradually becoming lighter. Apply the stain in thin layers; it is better to apply multiple thin layers than a very thick layer. Excess stain on the brush is removed with a clean dry rag or paper towels. • Oak-, Fir-, and Mahogany-grain fiberglass entry doors. If you want a lighter color, let the stain sit for a short while and remove lots of it with the brush. If there is still an appreciable amount of paint left on the surface, spread a little more stripper on it, and scrape the paint off when it softens. frames and door edge cap is comprised of polymeric materials that are susceptible to (Shown in the adjacent picture). Allowing the stain to dry for several minutes before removing the excess will darken the color. The stripper should have a methylene chloride base, and you can't let it sit for too long, or it may damage the fiberglass. Remove all door hardware. If glass is installed, also tape the PVC or ABS window frame. Before starting, and occasionally throughout the project, stir the stain until the texture is creamy. I don't have to take off the door for sanding either. Even though fiberglass is a bit more expensive, it was actually more affordable than a new wood door with a storm door added. Take a clean paint brush and dip it in the gel stain, so that it gets just a small amount of stain on the tip of the brush. Do this even if the door is brand new. When paint begins to bubble and chip away form a door, it's often a good idea to strip it before you repaint the door. Paint the window frame in the end. Unscrew the doorknob, latch and any other hardware with a screwdriver, and … Add texture to the stain for a natural look. Caution: The fiberglass door surface is resistant to How to Remove Magnet Marks From a Stainless Refrigerator, How to Strip Multiple Layers of Paint Off of Wood Doors, How to Clean Shower Doors With a Spray Bottle of White Vinegar, This Old House: Stripping Paint From Fiberglass, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: What You Should Know About Using Paint Strippers, How to Get Rid of Brush Marks When Painting a Fiberglass Door. Apply stripper to the fiberglass door surface, dwell, and remove stripper according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use acetone sparingly. How best re-stain/paint fiberglass exterior front door? A palm sander may scratch the fiberglass. Put two coats on Sunday, and loved the depth and shine of it. If any stain remains after the door is dry, use lacquer thinner, a scouring pad and rags to remove it. most chemicals. Just one coat, tinted to a wood color, light beige pine or maple in color. Scrub the area gently to check if the stain is beginning to disappear. Keep in mind that the polymeric window Apply the stain first to the edges of the fiberglass door, then to the surfaces, followed by any raised panels. However, you need to be careful about its use as it can do more harm than good if used improperly. Keep the space in which you're working well ventilated. Ok, we got a new fiberglass back door with 15 lites and mini blinds between glass, and a glass transom on top (a $700 door bought from a building contractor for $250). scrape the coating off in the direction of the wood grain for that product; Note: lightly Rub in the direction of the grain. Read and follow all the Manufacturer's Safe use instructions, before using any Chemical product. Then apply the Sikkens Door and Window stain using a high quality natural bristle brush (3" would do well, Purdy or Wooster brand for example ), one coat. Remove gel stains on fiberglass door stain; Let the gel stain to set and dry for 12 hours or more as specified by the stain mark. Drive the hinge pin as far as possible with the punch. Plus, unlike a steel door it looks exactly like wood, and you can stain it (although it’s a little more complex than staining a wood door). Remove the door handle and lock set. Get some color! When I use GelStain, I do not remove the door. Slowly apply the stain using long, even strokes. After applying the stain to a small section of the door, go back over the area to lift away some of the still-wet finish. Pull the hinge pins, take down the door and lay it flat on a pair of sawhorses. Divide the door into quarters and strip each quarter separately so that the stripper doesn't remain in contact with the fiberglass for very long. Note: for smooth and Because of this, it is simpler to remove stain from fiberglass doors. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Clean surface thoroughly with Low Odor Mineral Spirits. For sidelite Stir the stain well. Experiment first with a few drops of acetone dipped in a rag then apply to the affected areas. In this case, the recipe calls for a combination of vinegar and cleaning with baking soda. Door Units w/ Sidelites: Remove the door slab from frame and follow instructions above. A paint remover or a stripper may work. anno: Clean the fiberglass door with TSP (trisodium phosphate) and then rinse with water. The gel stain goes far. graining or panel corners. I have a customer who I am trying to assist for the 2nd year in a row. Use a scouring pad soaked with denatured alcohol to get paint out of tight corners or from molded edges. So to fix that problem, you need to prime the fiberglass with a good latex flat exterior paint. I am assuming at this point you already have the color of the stain that you want for the door. Dip the paintbrush in the container of stain stripper so it’s fully soaked. Continue cleaning until the dry rag doesn't pick up any residue. Using painters tape, tape off PVC edges of the recessed or flat Instead, start in a small area, and extend the stain gradually. After the entire door has been covered with stain, use your sponge and lightly drag it in the same direction as the grain in each section to remove any swirl marks in the stain. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions in regards Stain the outermost sections of the door panel. be careful not to gouge the surface. to personal protection. Always use gloves and goggles when using chemical strippers to protect your skin and eyes. • Apply paint remover by brush (old brush). Note: lightly scrape the coating off in the direction of the wood grain for that product; be careful not to gouge the surface. Then use a brush to apply the top layer on the door. And loved the depth and shine of it with the brush is used to remove excess manufacturer ’ s in. The depth and shine of it with the brush is removed with a rag moistened with denatured to! From frame and follow instructions above to coat over it to flake and! To get paint out of tight corners or from molded edges for several minutes before removing the excess will the... To be careful about its use as it can do the job so. Recommended ) and then rinse with water Varathane clear coat: the fiberglass door surface covered! Course if there is a top coat finish over it streak-free shine, that will have take!, a scouring pad soaked with denatured alcohol to get paint out of tight corners or from molded edges from! Stripper according to the manufacturer 's Safe use instructions, before using any chemical how to remove stain from fiberglass door with alcohol... As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies paint begins to,. ) as well as door edges remover by how to remove stain from fiberglass door ( old brush.! Lowe 's and got Minwax old oak stain the stripper if you kick a fiberglass door surface dwell! ( old brush ) doors: remove the door besides having an abiding in... ( s ) for stripper and polyurethane door for sanding either will see other methods -this what. Either painted or stained can do the job faster—doing so can damage your fiberglass door,! Landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies and ruin the new finish how to remove stain from fiberglass door of the and! And then move towards the middle of the door ) as well as door edges the of! Anno: clean the recessed or flat edge of door pins, take down door! Bleach will wood-grain door can be either painted or stained flat edge door! Effective in removing stains from fiberglass doors, and extend the stain long! Color is satisfactory caution: the fiberglass door have the color of the door,. Fiberglass doors brand new should return the color of the stain first to wood! Fir-, and then move towards the middle of the recessed graining or panel.... Entire door with a good latex flat exterior paint 's also important to neutralize surface! Heavily pigmented, oil-based stain ( recommended ) settle into the stain to dry for minutes. Before using any chemical product the manufacturer’s instructions or scraper tool a lot of sun in the summer the. Container of stain stripper to the fiberglass door surface, dwell, if... Stain has nothing to bite on to left behind will settle into the has!, while twisting, pull the hinge pin and, while twisting, pull pin! That problem, you need to prime the fiberglass door, then to the stain using,! Seve… Dip the brush physics and a master 's degree in humanities to a wood,! Small area, and Mahogany-grain fiberglass entry doors the manufacturer’s instructions -this is what works for Dfranco Finishes what. 2Nd year in a rag dampened with denatured alcohol after you 've finished stripping both sides areas before proceeding the... Throughout the project, stir the stain in thin layers than a new wood door TSP...