Gel Stain on the Front Door

Our door is made out of fiberglass. It is textured to look like wood. Minwax® Gel Stain lets you get the look of stained wood on fiberglass.

Minwax® Gel Stain is specifically designed to give you full control over the staining process and help you achieve beautiful results.

• Its unique non-drip formula makes application easy for vertical surfaces.
• Delivers uniform color evenly on wood and non-wood surfaces, such as metal, veneer, and fiberglass.

For wood, you work with it rather like regular stain. Wipe on, wipe off. This is how you use Minwax® Gel Stain to stain a fiberglass door.

Fiberglass Door Projects:

For ease of staining and finishing, it is recommended that you finish the door before installation.

Preparation:

•     Make sure the door surface is free of all dirt and foreign matter.
•     Stir Minwax® Gel Stain until creamy before use and occasionally during use.

The painter cleaned the door and brushed it all down with a paint brush.

See how he has wrapped some blue tape around the brush? That is so the metal won’t scratch anything it may brush up against.

Stain Application:

Using a high quality natural bristle brush, spread a thin, even coat over the entire surface, starting with the raised panel sections. Always make final brush strokes in the direction of the embossed grain. Areas of heavier coats should be evened out before moving to a new section.

Allow stain to dry approximately 6 to 8 hours.

To darken the color, apply additional coats by following the instructions above. Let the stain dry 6 to 8 hours between coats.

The painter followed the grain to make the door look like it is made of stained wood. He started with the outside, then stained the inside.

We will have to put a clear finish over the stain.

Clear Finish Application:

Be sure to apply a clear protective finish such as Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane for interior use or Minwax® Helmsman® Spar Urethane for exterior applications.

Before applying a clear finish, test the stain for dryness by wiping a small hidden area with a rag moistened with mineral spirits. If the last coat of stain can be removed with mineral spirits, do not apply a clear protective finish. Wait until the stain is completely dry.

Allow the finish to dry at least 6 hours before installing or closing the door to avoid sticking.

For exterior applications, apply a coat of clear protective finish every 12-24 months to keep the door looking beautiful.

A clear finish has to be applied every year or two.

So, here is the front door the next day. It has been 24 hours and it is still a bit tacky. Perhaps because it is so cold out? You can also see they are working on the front walk in this photo.