Replies

1. 
   Ardito | Feb 02, 2005 06:53pm | #1

   I have a Mahogany front entry door on my house.  Mahogany "wears" really well in the outdoor elements.  My door has a oil finish and then 2 coats of Waterlox "satin".  Door is around 8 years old and looks still new!

   Cheers!
   Dark Magneto

1. 
   CrackerJacks | Feb 03, 2005 04:57am | #2

   Thanks for the reply.

   Do you know if a wood conditioner was used first?  Did you go with the darker stain or lighter?  Any pictures available out there of different stained doors from other members?

1. 
   Ardito | Feb 03, 2005 06:05pm | #5

   CrackerJacks,

   Nope....no wood conditioner was used.  Just a couple coats of oil and then the Waterlox.  The door does see a fair amount of sunshine.  It faces the EAST so it gets all of the morning rays.  The door has darkened a lot in the 8 years.  I have not seen ANY bleaching characteristics yet.  The Waterlox has been a great topcoat that has protected the door.  I live in Chicago and the summers are hot and steamy and the winters are just cold and nasty.

   Cheers!Dark Magneto

2. 
   Vikingvood | Feb 03, 2005 06:16pm | #6

   I  live in the great  northwest & I use teak oil & or a product called Ship & shore made by daly's http://www.dalyspaint.com/catalog.html  I use it on my outdoor teak & mahogany furniture  & my front door that all see rain & direct sun, I would not use a varnish or even a spar finish due to they wiil eventually crack & require alot of sanding were as  with an oil finish I just clean any areas that show wear with fine scotch brite & reapply my teak oil or ship& shore.  I usually do this in spring to stay ahead of any sun damage & bring the outside furniture in the garage in the fall & reapply finish as req. then I put it back out side & it holds up great.

2. 
   dsoys | Feb 03, 2005 05:17am | #3

   one inportant thing is will the door get a lot of direct sun light on it. I like it with just a clear finish but that up to each his on.

   If there going to get a lot of sun light look for the best uv. protection. Sun light will destroy a lot of finishes.

3. 
   migraine | Feb 03, 2005 07:27am | #4

   The biggest problem with a true mahogany(as in Honduras) is that at first, it will darken.  Then over the next years, especially in direct sunlight, it will bleach out.

   My best recommendation is to use a good quality marine varnish that has a U.V. inhibitor.  The brand "Z Spar" comes to mind.  Check out a local marine supply store.  Or you can go online to "Boater's Word" or "West Marine"

4. 
   AlanMikkelsen | Feb 03, 2005 06:39pm | #7

   Several years ago on a woodworking website/bulletin board, I remember reading a test someone did on clear exterior door finishes.  As I remember, you can go to a paint store (Sherwin-Williams comes to mind) and buy a clear paint base.  I think it's supposed to look white or milky, but goes on clear.  It's supposed to hold up much better than even spar varnish, etc.  Might be worth a search for the test.  I'll see what I can find.

   Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934,  Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT