Replies

1. 
   RW | Nov 22, 2002 01:31am | #1

   If your color is still intact, strip off any loose or peeling finish. Scuff sand everything. If you want to use oil over water base (this would be good to discern beforehand) seal it with shellac. Now a much easier proposition since Zinnser is selling premixed dewaxed shellac. Would recommend a spar varnish, especially a marine grade, and you want to build up mulitple layers (half dozen?) - it will degrade over time and you can't stop it, but if you put on multiple coats at the least then all you'll have to do every 1-2 years is sand off the worn top and recoat.

1. 
   vincent843 | Nov 22, 2002 02:16am | #2

   Hi,

   Forgot to tell, the  outside face peeled off like fish scales, but the inside is perfect, nice and smooth finish.  Do I suppose to trip off the inside, too? Start everything from the bare wood?.  Thanks.

   vn

1. 
   RW | Nov 22, 2002 04:45am | #3

   I guess there my vote is cliche: if it ain't broke . . . put the door on sawhorses. Tape the edges, then tape them again with paper or plastic added to make a curtain of sorts around the door so your stripper doesn't drip over the edge and migrate to the good side. Strip it down, clean it, clean it, clean it a little more. I prefer lacquer thinner to get the stripper out. Let it dry 24 hours back on the hinges. Start from square 1. Sand enough to get any raised fibres cut, restain it, refinish it. Your initial post makes me think it's kind of  pickled finish. You can buy stains to simulate that. Again, I already said SW, they carry it. The varnish does create some issues. It's the best candidate for exterior usage, especially in direct sun (UV inhibitors), it's flexible enough to withstand temperature changes, but it yellows with age, and multiple coats will impart a slight yellow hue from the get go. I don't know if theres a way around that. I don't mess with water based finishes hardly at all. I like a good whiff of VOCs to get me going in the morning. That inexperience notwithstanding, it's worth looking into. I know there's posters here that use the water base extensively. I looked into it recently and got educated on the "how to" of application, and decided that it amounted to an attitude change for me and I just wasn't willing to pursue at the time. If you find that there's one that will provide the same protection and flexibility and durability of a marine varnish, might as well give it a try. Its safer stuff and the wave of the future, I'm sure. Incidentally, every SW store has sales reps assigned to the territory that float in and out of the stores. Guys who are more likely than the everyday counter help to be able to answer specific questions regarding performance related issues with their products. In large part, most of them got their experience by being painters first, and migrating to sales when the knees gave out, or similar circumstance. My rep saves me money almost every time I talk to him, so maybe I'm biased, but that may also be worth looking in to.