Problem with exterior door?

Question

My front door is heavy wood. I have stained and polyurethaned it several times but it never lasts. Now it's chipped and peeling again. It has too many panels to be able to sand it. Any suggestions for removing the old finish and applying a finish that will last? Should I give up on staining and just paint it?

Answer 1

You can use a paint stripper to remove the polyurethane. You'll have to do that whether you refinish or paint in order for the newly applied material to ad hire properly. The reasons your finish has failed are that it probably didn't have a UV inhibitor in it. Also polyurethane dries very hard. That is actually a bad thing for exterior use. An exterior spar varnish is much softer and will not crack or peel as the wood door expands and contracts with temp and humidity changes. Even if you use spar varnish, plan on refinishing the door every 2 or 3 years to avoid damage. You won't have to strip the old finish, just sand thoroughly with fine sandpaper ( 150 -220 grit ) first.

Answer 2

If Exterior - might as well paint it. You have to go down to bare wood with stripping agent and apply a primer and paint.

You may need to install a temporary door as this will take a long time.

Answer 3

I would be very cautious in the use of strippers on a wood door. Depending on where and how long it`s applied could cause a breakdown of the adhesives in the rails and stiles, allowing the finished door to "sag".

Answer 4

First of all it is true to get a good finish you need to start with raw wood....Either you use chemicals or old fashion elbow grease to get to that point....If you want to use a ploy after that then use a Marine Ploy...this is the stuff put on wooden boats...or you could use Lensead Oil or Tongue Oil....If the door is of good quality and a good type of wood it is a shame to PAINT it.......

Answer 5

its gonna be hard to say , you can try a heat gun and remove the old varnish , you need to start with a clean surface for anynew paint or varnish to really stick .......