Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jul 22, 2008 09:08pm | #1

   We need to knowa bunch of things to give a good answer:

   From what is the door made?

   What was the previous finish, and how long it it last before failing?  Have you already removed the old finish? 

   How much sun does the door get, and what part of the country is it?

   Is the varnish you have in mind General Finishes 450  a waterborne acyrlic varnish?    

   I don't think I'd recommend a waterborne varnish if there is much sun at all.  I haven't used one, but I do note that there doesn't appear to be any such product in the marine market. If you must use a clear finish, a high quality, true marine spar varnish, would last longest, but still be a maintenance project, not something you apply and forget. The short list to top marine spar varnishes includes Epifanes Clear Gloss, Interlux, Schooner, or Pettit Captain's.

   I would try hard to dissuade you from a clear finish unless the door is well shaded.  Paint, in a lighter color, will last much longer.    

   
   

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   Edited 7/22/2008 2:35 pm ET by SteveSchoene

1. 
   DAlexander | Jul 23, 2008 02:04am | #2

   Steve,

   Thanks for your reply. I'll try to answer your questions.

   I'm not real sure what the door is made of. It looks like it could be pine judging the grain pattern. It dents pretty easily when pressing it with a finger nail. I haven't taken it off the hinges as of yet, but it doesn't seem that it will be very heavy either. 

   It came original to the home 17 years ago and has had nothing done to it all this time. The finish is not flaking of peeling and really doesn't look that bad, but it does need a bit of spiffing up. The current finish is a stain with some kind of clear top coat.

   I was planning to remove the finish with a stripper and starting over from the bare wood. I live in a suburb of Houston where heat and especially humidity is a big factor. My front door faces due north and is set back a bit in a small porch so the door never sees direct sun.

   I've been researching finishes trying to figure out a good finish to use for this application. General Finishes 405 is just one of the finishes I've been looking at. I believe it is water based which does concern me since I want something that will hold up well outdoors in a high humidity climate. It seems to me a better way to go would be to use some type of oil based finish, but then I'm no expert about finishes.

   I have considered painting as you suggested, and I might end up doing that, but I'd rather go back with the clear coat look.

   Thanks again,

   Darrell

1. 
   dkellernc | Jul 23, 2008 03:40am | #3

   Based on your description, you probably have a door recently manufactured by someone like Pella or the like, and it's probably spruce. 

   If that is indeed the case, the finish may well by conversion varnish, and you may have a very difficult time removing it with stripper.  It may be better to just scuff-sand it to take the top oxidized layer off, and then coat it with a good Marine spar varnish as Steve suggested.

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jul 23, 2008 11:38am | #4

   You could be quite right, but I'd guess it wasn't a factory pre-finished door.  Housing prices in the Houston market have been quite affordable compared to where I am in the northeast.  I'd bet that would be because of builders taking advantage of relatively lower labor costs.  When you buy a door from a large company you give up some of that.  I do emphasize that this is a guess. 

   Easy enough to tell, of course.  If it were conversion varnish it will laufh at your stripper when you make a small test.

   Without direct sun the marine spar will hold up quite well.  Humidity and warmth aren't that much of a problem, unless you do have a potential mildew problem.  If so I would add a mildewcide to the varnish.  I'm sure that, in Houston, paint stores will carry such additives. 

1. 
   DAlexander | Jul 23, 2008 07:37pm | #5

   Thanks so much! I appreciate your help and suggestions.

2. 
   acornw | Jul 23, 2008 07:59pm | #6

   17 yrs old puts it at the end of the White Pine era, but still in the Doug Fir era of mass produced exterior doors, as background info.

   North facing in a recess is the best situation for a wood door - little or no UV exposure. Thank whomever sited the door/house/lot.

   Sikkens is what we almost always recommend. Use their Door and Window products, and follow directions. Remove the old finish first. Sikkens is recommended since it fails predictably by wearing thin, for easy recoats. Expect 6-10 years of life for this finish would be my guess. you could also use an oil finish like Waterlox exterior or Teak oil. 6 coats rubbed out, and periodic (maybe every 1-1/2 yrs?) recoats will be needed, but is the prettiest wood finish there is.

   Dave S
   http://www.acornwoodworks.com