Fiberglass entry doors can do a lot to improve the overall quality of your home. Not only are they energy-efficient, but they can improve the look of the exterior of your home. However, as they age, they will require a bit of upkeep. This is not difficult if you know how to refinish fiberglass doors.
This article contains expert tips on refurbishing fiberglass doors. If they are no longer energy-efficient, you might want to replace them with new exterior doors. But if they are in good working condition, you can use these tips to refinish them.
How to Refinish Fiberglass Doors: Expert Tips
It is plausible to refinish fiberglass doors without removing them from their frame, but experts do not advise this. You should remove the entry door from the hinges, remove any hardware, and place it on a saw-horse. Also, you should work in a well-ventilated area and place a drop cloth underneath the door and saw-horse to protect the surface.
How to Touch up Faded Areas
If the door simply needs some touch-up, find a gel stain in the color that most closely resembles the existing finish. A single layer of thin gel stain should do the trick. Using a natural bristle paintbrush, apply the gel stain and let it dry before applying two layers of fiberglass topcoat.
How to Completely Refurbish the Door
Remove Existing Finish
Regardless of whether the door is stained or painted, you need to remove all the existing finishes before beginning. Apply a liquid stripping agent to the doors’ surface by gently rubbing it with copper or steel wool. A paint scraper or stiff wire brush can be used to remove any excess finish.
Next, you should use sandpaper that is fine, medium-grade, and coarse to sand the door in its entirety. Finally, use a damp cloth to remove any leftover debris. Allow the door to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Painting the Door
If you opt to paint the door as opposed to staining, you should use exterior acrylic paint, as it is designed to withstand the elements. Besides, you should use an oil-based primer to prime the door before painting. Apply at least two coats of primer before painting using a roller. Allow it to dry completely before painting.
You should use a natural-bristle brush and paint in the direction of the finish. It is best to apply at least two coats of paint.
*Tip: Do not paint in direct sunlight, as this can cause the paint to dry too quickly.
Staining the Door
As fiberglass entry doors are most often designed with a wood-grain finish, it is best to stain or lacquer the door to refurbish it. Use a clean dry cloth to apply the stain, rubbing, and blotting as you go to ensure that the door is completely covered. Use the rag to remove any excess stain.
Let the stain dry for 24 hours. Use a lacquer brush to apply 3 coats of clear spar lacquer, as it will help protect the door from harsh weather conditions. Allow drying between coats.
Reattach the Door
Once the door is completely dry, reattach any hardware before reattaching the door to the frame. Make any necessary repairs to the door frame before reinstalling the fiberglass entry door.
Should you need further tips on how to refinish fiberglass doors, the staff at North Tech Windows and Doors will be glad to assist you. Call us anytime for a free quote for replacement windows and doors for your home.
