Staining Fiberglass Doors

By
©1993-2012 Tim Carter

        
Summary: Clear coatings on fiberglass exterior doors take a huge beating - especially clear coatings behind a storm door. I have seen traditional clear finishes and plastic parts on doors melt from the sun's heat. Acid rain, ultraviolet light, and other atmospheric pollutants simply erode clear finishes on fiberglass doors, polished brass and many other outdoor items. The key to minimizing restoration work lies in keeping up with the clear coatings.

Related Articles: painting fiberglass doors, fiberglass paint stripper, fiberglass door maintenance

Three - Five Years They Say

Many fiberglass door companies maintain that the clear coatings that protect the stained finish on their doors only lasts for 3 - 5 years. I feel that is a very fair statement. In fact, under certain conditions, they may be generous. I can think of locations where after 2 years you could be re-coating a clear finish. Heavy industrialized areas, west facing doors in the Southwest, fiberglass doors within 1/2 mile of ocean salt spray, etc. are examples.

The problem with many exterior items - including fiberglass doors - is that there is really no such thing as maintenance free. That is a sell line used by far too many salespeople when you look at things like vinyl siding, aluminum gutters and fiberglass doors. The truth is that all of these things require periodic cleanings and possible touch-up work to keep them looking superb.

Keep Up With It

The clear finishes that are applied to fiberglass doors are not much different than any off the shelf urethane. They are applied in thin coats and thus the amount of material left exposed to the elements is minimal. If you let the finish wear down to the stain, then you often have to strip the door and start over. Periodic thin maintenance coats of the clear finish every two years can save you tons of work. All you need to do is to make sure the door is squeaky clean before you apply each maintenance coat. Weather conditions should also be favorable.

The 50 - 90 F Rule

The largest manufacturer of fiberglass doors is a company called Therma-Tru Corporation. Their finishing instructions are very clear about temperature ranges for applying the stain and clear coats. They want the air temperature to be no less than 50 degrees and no more than 90 degrees when you work with their finishing system. Ideal conditions in my opinion would be 70 degrees with no wind and overcast skies.

Wind and direct sunlight can be your enemies when trying to get perfect results. These weather conditions can cause the clear finishes to dry too quickly. This can cause you to pull out your hair when you are working on the door. Wind can also blow dust and debris into a wet finish. Do whatever it takes to try to work in ideal conditions or create an artificial environment where you can work on the door immune from unfavorable temperatures, sunlight or wind.

The Stain Sample

If you are buying a new fiberglass door or a house with one, make sure you get the sample fiberglass skin or sample that comes in the finishing kit. This sample is supposed to be stained and finished just like the door and with the same ingredients. The sample is used to judge the level of clear coat degradation each year. You keep the sample inside in a dark location and free from heat and water. Each spring you pull it out and hold it against the exterior of your door. If you see that the gloss of the clear coat has begun to dull, it is time to re-coat the door.

No Mixing & Matching

When it comes time to re-coat your door, don't just use any clear coat. It is important to use a clear coat that is compatible with your existing finish. Keep good records or store the left over clear coat for your next application.

Keep in mind that many clear coats have a limited shelf life. Some state a three year life span once opened. I would not use one that is over two years old. Why take a chance? Remember, these clear coats are simply a hybrid glue. If you want them to stick well, then use fresh materials. I wouldn't take a chance with old material unless I had to.

 



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Comments:

Welcome! I, Tim Carter, don't answer questions here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area, perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me, there is an option there for you.
Darwyn Kietzmann
14 Feb 2008, 13:05
I have a fiberglass entry door with uv exposure. I have coated the door several times and I have reached the point where I need to strip it,stain it and put a new coat on it. What stripper, stain and coat do you recommend.
AsktheBuilder
15 Feb 2008, 08:57
Darwyn,
I would contact the manufacturer and see what they say. You do not want an unfavorable chemical reaction.
Natasha
17 Jun 2008, 11:01
Hello, I have a new Therma-Tru fiberglass entry system installed recently. I would not say it blocks the heat from the afternoon sun. The internal fiberglass panel gets realy warm. Is it normal?
Lisa Snyder
27 Jun 2008, 20:00
I have a fiberglass coated steel door. It is ten years old and we tried to restain it and put polyurthane over the stain. It has been less than a year and it is now peeling. What should I do?
Carole
02 Aug 2008, 13:31
I recently bought a new Fiberglass entry door. Is there a stain product and polyurthane I could buy at a hardware store and not use the manufacturers stain kit?
valery
19 Feb 2009, 23:41
My daughter has a fiber glass door. It appeared to have build up on it so I took comet cleanser and wiped it down. IT TOOK THE STAIN (OR COLORING) OFF OF IT! What can I do to restore this door? Do I have to purchase another door? Can I use stain from a home store and put that on the door (oak stain)? Please let me know as I am desperate.

Valery
Denise
08 Apr 2009, 15:46
Please respond to Valery question.
Reginald
30 Apr 2009, 17:41
I have recently purchased a fibler glass door and used a midwax gel stain and it went on like paint. I am unhappy with the results and would like to know what product could I use and how to do it to remove this stain without damaging my new door? Thanks.

Reginald Jordan
Gail Bigelow
05 May 2009, 18:14
We are considering buy a fiberglass door but our concern is the heat between the fiberglass door and the already installed storm door. We get direct morning sun. Should this be a concern for us?
Scott Leogrande
19 Oct 2009, 12:41
I am purchasing a fiberglass door and have a question about manufacturer finish and if I finish the door with a gel stain kit. My question is will the door look as good with me or my painter staining the door as it would if the manufacturer stains it? Will it look like the manufacturers finished product? The manufacturer is charging $700 to finish it? I want to save money, but also, I want my front door to look good? Any feedback would be great. Thanks!!!

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