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