One of the most frequent questions we get deals with finishing entry doors. People often like to save a little money when it comes to this - and with a little patience and attention to detail you can really turn your entry door into a work of art. Here is a quick run down of how we finish our entry doors:

FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS

PREPARATION FOR FINISHING

• Doors should be sealed no more than 3 days, 36 hours after job site delivery.

• To assure uniform moisture exposure and dimensional control, ALL surfaces must be treated equally.

• Before applying first finishing coat, sand entire surface lightly with 5/0 (220 grit) sandpaper. Always
  sand in the direction of the grain. Spot sanding can cause the finish to appear splotchy.

• After sanding, clean entire door with a cloth removing dust or foreign debris.

• Before finishing, hang the door. Then remove to finish properly.

• Some woods contain chemicals which react unfavorably with certain finishes causing dark stain spots.
  Where possible, the finish selection should be tested prior to application.

• Properly finish entire door. COAT TOP, BOTTOM, SIDES, PANEL EDGES WITH EACH
  APPLICATION. DOOR MUST BE DRY BEFORE FINISHING.

EXTERIOR FINISHING

STAIN-AND-CLEAR FINISH:

• Clark Hall Doors recommends Sikkens stain products. We believe they provide the highest quality and longest lasting protection for any of our doors. Protect your investment. We have found Sikkens will out last any other finish two to one.

• When not using a Sikkens, apply a wood conditioner to the entire product prior to
  staining to help reduce the color variations and blotches that are natural characteristics to all wood

• Choose a stain with UV prohibitors as the sun will drastically change many stain colors. All Sikkens stains provide the highest UV protection in the industry.

• To color and seal, make first coat a stain-and-sealer with alkyd-resin base. (Lacquer-based toner,
  water and lacquer-based finished are not for exterior doors.)

• Second coat to be solvent borne (oil base, alkyd resin base). We suggest Spar or Marine Urethane. Min Wax makes a great product for this as well. Avoid polyurethanes because they tend to breakdown with UV Rays causing your door direct exposure to the elements.

• Lightly sand with 5/0 (220 grit) sandpaper or 000 steel wool between each top coat. Remove dust before recoating. Minimum of 3 top coats required.

• After completion; score around each panel with razor knife to allow for expansion and contraction.

PAINT FINISH:

• To paint finish your door, use a solvent based primer coat and a compatible solvent based finish
  coat. Sand all surfaces between all coats of primer and finish.

• A minimum of the three top coats is recommended. (Refer to paint manufacturers' instructions.)

• After completion; score around each panel with razor knife to allow for expansion and contraction.

• Dark pigmented paints i.e. black, dark green facing a sun exposure will cause excessive wood movement and possible splits or cracks. Use of dark colors will void warranty.

MAINTENANCE

• Stain-and-clear finishes perform better is protected from sunlight and weathering. (Re-finishing will
  be required less frequently).

• Exterior door finishes may deteriorate with exposure to environment. Inspect finish at least once a
  year. Refinish as needed.