TL;DR

  • Stained front doors enhance a home’s entrance but require regular upkeep to avoid fading and wear.
  • Start by sanding the door to remove the existing polyurethane clear coat for better stain adhesion.
  • Apply two coats of Minwax Wood Stain, sanding between coats to ensure an even finish.
  • Reapply two coats of polyurethane clear coat for protection, allowing drying time between layers.
  • Regularly reapply polyurethane yearly to maintain the stain and protect the door from weathering.

Refinish door Your home’s front door can really change the character of your whole house. Stained front doors can make for a beautiful entryway for a home, but without proper upkeep, they can fade, wear away, and lose their shine. Let us show you how to bring some life back to your front door — or let trusted home painters handle the job with professional precision.

Step 1. Sand the Door

Wood sanding Front doors typically have a polyurethane clear coat over the existing stain to protect from weathering. In order to re-stain the front door, this polyurethane coating needs to be completely removed so that the new stain can soak into the wood. This can be done using a power sander along with some hand sanding for intricate areas on the door.

Step 2. Stain the Door (2 Coats)

Next up, it’s time to stain the door. Textbook Painting’s favorite product to use for this is from Sherwin Williams — a Minwax Wood Stain. Use a rag to apply the stain evenly over your door, then allow time to dry. Temperature and weather can affect drying time, but usually one to two hours is plenty.

staining door Once dry, use medium-grit sandpaper to gently sand over the door again, roughing up the surface slightly and evening out darker spots. Apply the second coat using a rag, ensuring the stain has a smooth, even appearance.

Step 3. Apply Polyurethane Clear Coat (2x)

Lastly, a polyurethane coating needs to be reapplied to the door. This coating protects the stain from weather and sun exposure. Apply Minwax Polyurethane (satin or gloss finish) evenly to the entire door using a brush, then wait for it to dry. Applying polyurethane

Once dry, use very fine-grit sandpaper to gently roughen the first coat of polyurethane so that the second coat adheres properly. Then apply the second coat and allow it to dry — you’ll have a beautiful, newly transformed doorway!

Tip: It’s important to reapply a polyurethane coat yearly to maintain the stain and protect the door from weathering.

Is your front door tired and weathered? We can help!

Ready to tackle your next project by painting the aluminum siding on your home? See our Aluminum Siding Painting Guide!

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Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about refinishing your doors. Always happy to chat!