What stain to use on a fiberglass door?
by
Jane
+5
I am trying to refinish parts of my front door that have weathered. I have scraped and lightly sanded but cannot get the stain (Minwax Wood Finish Penetrating Stain)that my husband swore we originally used to do anything. Ideas for product or preparation welcome.
The trim around the window is the worst.
You can't stain Fiberglass, you could use gel stain that can look like stain and use a wood graining tool to make it look like wood. You usually put a base coat of paint on it the color you would like the grain to be. Regular stain is meant to be absorbed by the wood grain.
If you door has a grain pattern.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4O2VScGVJ4
If you need to add a grain pattern, pre-paint door for color of wood grain to show through the gel stain... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bPlOjPE6iE
Check out YouTube for possible solutions: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+paint+fiberglass+door
If you want the wood grain mentioned in a previous answer, there are a lot of videos that address that as well: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+use+a+wood+graining+tool+with+gel+stain
If your fiberglass door has embossed wood grain it was stainable with gel stain. If it is smooth, it was meant to paint only. Fiberglass mfg ThermaTru have stain "kits" available in several colors. Any outlet that sells ThermaTru fiberglass doors can help you.
Gel stain
See below
I agree on the gel stain. I did ours in mahogany gel stain and then put a polyurethane over it to protect. Used the graining tool also on the gel stain. Took 2 coats came out beautiful. Have no storm door and it lasted about 3 years and then I decided to paint it. Takes a little bit to get used to the graining tool but it did a make it look like real wood.
Min wax gel stain for fibreglass doors
A penetrating stain can't penetrate fiberglass. I agree with the gel stain suggestion. It looks like your door has a wood grain texture so when you add the gel stain and lightly wipe it should leave the wood grain look. Your biggest chore will be completely removing any old finish that is on the door but not destroy the wood grain texture. Good luck with your door.