Replies

1. 
   dthodal | Apr 11, 2002 02:45am | #1

   Tony, I use a homemade mix for my exterior and interior wood doors which I find works very well. It is composed of 1 part tung oil, 1 part turpentine and 1 part spar varnish. Stir well and brush well into wood door. Let stand for ten minutes or so and wipe of the excess well with clean cloth.

   Let dry 24 hours and repeat the procedure after a light sanding and tacking. two or three coats will last a good time even with exposure to sun and weather.

   To refinish simply sand lightly and apply a new coat.

   Further protection, I rubb in butchers wax or beeswax on the top and bottom end grain .

   david

   walk good

1. 
   tonybarr | Apr 11, 2002 02:49am | #2

   Thanks David!

   Any advise on the stain that should be  used.  I've read that an "exterior stain" is recommended, but would there be a problem with a regular Minwax type stain?  I think I would prefer leaving the mahogany natural, but my brother in law would like it to be darker.

   Tony

1. 
   dthodal | Apr 11, 2002 05:00am | #3

   Tony, Get yourself some mahagony samples and mix a little of the sealer. Add incremental amounts of raw umber (more black) or raw sienna (more brown) to the mix until you achieve the tint desired. Then proportional increase your mix to insure enough for a coat of finish. For ####3'0 x 7'0 door, a quart is more than adequate.

   I have also used pine tar mixed with the finish to darken the wood; however the eventual appearence becomes more aged than uniformly dark.

   You can also use a good quality oil stain or use Watco for your first coat. Watco alone will not hold up as well as the varnish mix, but it is compatable. With any of these choices do samples first to be sure you like it.

   Also over time especially with sun, the mahagony will darken and if left clear develope a rich reddish patina.

   david

   walk good

2. 
   ecomma | Apr 11, 2002 05:24am | #4

   I don't know about the type of stain, but as an architect, who specifies paint, and has a close relationship with the local paint dealer, I recommend 2 coats of marine spar varnish.  Gloss is preferred because is cures harder.  If you want a satin finish, steel wool the gloss finish with 0000 steel wool.  Spar has excellent resistance to UV rays.  My front door is mahagony with no stain but clear spar varnish and has looked great for 5 years.  Good Luck, Eric

1. 
   fdampier | Apr 11, 2002 06:02am | #5

   Use interlux filler stains.  nothing else!  Please the boat boys understand and to use something else is a whale of a mistake.

        StainCC is the stain they use on Chris Craft, Stain Gar is  a browner color, Staincen is a redder stain.  Then use Epifanes wood finish gloss.  (don't make the mistake of using the clear high gloss Varnish, unless you like to sand between coats)

     the best method is to sand to 100 grit (no finer or your stain won't hold) Thin your filler with interlux333 rhinner (use a brush to apply it) don't let it dry and rub out with burlap. after 3/4 days seal it. I like pettit 2018 sealer, just slop it on and don't worry abourt runs.  (but don't use a foam brush... believe me! 2 coats is typical don't sand between coats

   First coat, thin 50%, second coat 25%,  third coat 15%, less than 10 % for any following coats.  Use long brush strokes and don't dab or induce air into it. keep a wet edge on it untill you have the whole thing coated.  they say 12 coats is the minimum I've used as many as 20 just 'cause I wanted the killer finish of all time..

1. 
   ecomma | Apr 11, 2002 06:21am | #7

   That sounds like a great plan.

1. 
   fdampier | Apr 11, 2002 06:28am | #8

   Someday I'll figure out how many hours I spent finishing boats...

     A source for paint without running around a lot is classicboatconnection.com or any really good marina.  507-344-8024

1. 
   tonybarr | Apr 12, 2002 01:29am | #9

   Thanks everyone for your help on finishing the mahogany door.  I feel very comfortable now recommending a finish to my brother in law. 

   Have a great day!

   Tony Barr

2. 
   AlanSenoj | Apr 11, 2002 06:02am | #6

   I have had very good luck with Varathane Plastic Oil, it's in a gold can, and according to a Varathane rep its their "little secret".  Acts as a very good primer for any varnish and like most good oils brings out the depth and colour in wood. Seems to improve UV degradation. Works well on its own if you don't need a gloss.Alan Jones

1. 
   geoffmurray | Apr 12, 2002 07:35am | #10

   Do you mean Varathane Natural Oil? I always use this as a penetrating primer under varnish.