I have an exterior wood door that I need to stain and finish. Can anyone provide recommendations on the type of stain and finish that I should use? I understand that water or alcohol soluble dyes are not recommended because they’re very prone to fading when a lot of sun hits them. Whenever I head to our local paint/stain shop, they always recommend exterior stains that have been used for decks. I don’t necessarily have a problem using a deck stain – I just want to be sure I’m using the right type of stain.
I also invite any suggestions on finish. Is a spar urethane preferable? The door is partially protected as their is a porch roof overhanging it.
Thank you for your suggestions.
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If you must have a clear finish on your wood door, try to keep the stain color relatively light. Find a pigment only stain--which excludes most Minwax and other big box stains. Then, use a marine spar varnish. It will not have the term urethane or polyurethane in it. You can only find these at marine supply stores or on-line. Brands to choose among are Epifanes Clear Gloss Interlux (Schooner, or Pettit Captains. And, expect to do regular maintenance, with frequent refresher coats,and touch ups of any dings.
Thanks for the suggestions, Steve. Is there a particular brand of pigment-only stain that you recommend?
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