How to Restain a Wood Door Like a Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide
Wood doors offer a natural warmth that transforms any home, creating a luxurious and timeless look. To preserve their beauty and ensure long-lasting performance, it's recommended to restain and reseal your door about once a year. So roll up your sleeves and get ready! In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of staining your wood door to achieve professional-looking results.
Step 1: Preparation
Before you begin staining, it's crucial to properly prepare your wood door. Start by removing any hardware such as handles, hinges, and locks.
Clean the surface of the door thoroughly using a mild detergent and water to remove any dirt, dust, or grease. Once the door is clean, allow it to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Sanding
Sanding is essential for removing the old sealant and stain and to achieve a smooth, professional-looking door. Use a chemical stripper or 60-80 grit sandpaper to remove the sealant, and then finish with a medium-grit sandpaper (around 100-120 grit) to sand the entire surface of the door, following the direction of the wood grain. Going any finer on grit can affect re-staining, so it's important to not use greater than 120 grit. Pay close attention to any rough spots, scratches, or imperfections, and continue sanding until the surface feels smooth to the touch.
Warning: Do not over-sand doweled engineered wood doors, as this can permanently damage the premium wood face/veneer and expose the laminated wood layers and doweled construction.
Step 3: Apply Pre-Stain Conditioner (Optional)
If you're working with a soft or porous wood species such as pine or fir, applying a pre-stain conditioner can help prevent blotchiness and ensure more even staining. Simply brush on the conditioner using a clean, lint-free cloth or foam brush, and allow it to penetrate the wood for the recommended amount of time specified by the manufacturer (often no less than 30 minutes and no more than two hours).
Step 4: Choose the Right Stain
Selecting the right stain color is a crucial step in the staining process. We recommend BEHR Water-Based Wood Stain, which provides fast-drying and a more transparent finish to allow your door's woodgrain to show through.
Consider the existing decor and color scheme of your home, as well as the desired level of richness and depth you want to achieve. Always test the stain on a small, inconspicuous area of the door or a scrap piece of wood to ensure it produces the desired color before applying it to the entire surface.
Step 5: Apply the Stain
Once you've chosen the perfect stain, it's time to apply it to your wood door. Stir the stain thoroughly to ensure an even consistency, then use a clean brush, cloth, or foam applicator to apply a liberal coat of stain to the entire surface of the door, working in the direction of the wood grain. Be sure to work quickly and evenly to avoid any overlap or streaks.
Step 6: Wipe Off Excess Stain
After applying the stain, allow it to penetrate the wood for a few minutes (refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific timing). Then, using a clean, lint-free cloth, gently wipe off any excess stain from the surface of the door. Wipe in the direction of the wood grain to avoid creating streaks or smudges.
Step 7: Additional Coats of Stain
Once you've wiped off the excess stain, allow the door to dry completely overnight, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Depending on the desired depth of color, you may choose to apply one to two additional coats of stain, allowing each coat to dry fully for 24-48 hours before applying the next. You can lightly sand between coats to smooth any raised wood fibers.
Step 8: Seal the Door
To protect the stained wood and enhance its durability, it's important to seal the door with several coats of clear, UV-protective topcoat such as polyurethane or varnish. We recommend the BEHR Satin Clear Water-Based Spar Urethane Wood Sealer with UV-protection. Apply the topcoat using a clean brush, allowing the first coat to dry overnight and following the manufacturer's instructions for drying times and application methods. Allow the topcoat to dry for at least 24 hours before reattaching any hardware and rehanging the door.
And you're finished!
Staining a wood door is a rewarding DIY project that can transform the look and feel of your home. By following these step-by-step instructions and taking the time to properly prepare and apply the stain and several top-coats, you can achieve professional-quality results that will enhance the longevity of your wood door for generations to come.
