foam brushes or paint brushes (I used both) for gel stain application and wood sealer application; One quart of wood protectant (I used this one) How to Gel Stain over a Painted Exterior Door: (Step 1): With a damp rag, clean front doors and allow to dry. For questions of comments, please call 800-747-3436 How to gel stain a fiber glass door to make it look just like it was a wood door. Open a can of gel stain and mix it thoroughly with a stir stick. Staining a fiberglass door using the brush method is easy. Gel stains are thick and designed to cling to and penetrate the surface. Once applied, they settle into the grain of the steel door to give it a textured look. If you have found our videos helpful, you can donate to the making of new videos. Oil-based Stains. We used Minwax gel stain and Helmsman spar urethane clear coat. Should You Paint or Stain a Fiberglass Door? ... Hi Maryann! In other words: use this stuff sparingly for optimal results. The directions for gel stain application can vary depending on the manufacturer so do not assume all gel stains are the same. Gel stains are very fickle and require great care to apply to fiberglass doors. So you can practice on a flat area before committing yourself to staining the entire door. I have an older fiberglass pole barn door that is faded and very sad looking. The main trick to applying a gel stain is to follow the instructions precisely that are on the can. Average But Inspired. The best part about staining a fiberglass door is that any screw-ups can be removed with mineral spirits and a rag before the oil based stain dries. Starting with the raised areas will allow you to smooth out any pooling or collection of stain … Gel stain on a fiberglass door! What stain to use, how to apply the gel stain, and what protective coating to use over the gel stain. The best paint for a front door will have a blend of qualities that maintain its integrity and looks in the face of stormy weather and scorching sun. This stain can even be used on non-wooden surfaces including metal, veneer, and fiberglass. ... discusses the topic of painting versus staining before going on to elaborate further about the growing popularity of fiberglass doors. Gel stain … This type of stain is probably the best for fiberglass doors. In fact, gel stains are often applied to give steel doors the look of wood grain. ... your door is looking good as new! Staining the Doorjamb/Door Frame The Gel Stain can also be used to stain the doorjamb, door frame, and mullions. Happy customers note that a little goes a long way when it comes to Minwax’s interior wood stain. In this JELD-WEN Customer Care video, you\'ll learn how to apply stain to a JELD-WEN fiberglass door, as well as DIY tips on wearing protective gear and finding the proper location for the project. (Step 2): Remove door hardware and apply painter’s tape where needed (optional). Starting with any raised areas, apply the product evenly to the fiberglass door with a natural-bristle paintbrush. So I figured why not trying using gel stain on our front door? Average But Inspired gives a detailed tutorial on how to refinish an exterior door the easy way - with gel stain. Average But Inspired gives a detailed tutorial on how to refinish an exterior door the easy way - with gel stain. These instructions are also helpful for other simulated wood surfaces. I had wanted to paint it brown to match the trim on our home but my shade of brown paint is no longer available so I was stymied. I hate the ugly, boring, dirty cream color they come in Why Hello There, American Walnut. Using gel stain on fiberglass door to look like American Walnut-seems easy enough to do and way cheaper than replacing the front door. Apply stain with the foam brush and use the 2” bristle brush to soften and blend stain to match the door and trim. Isn’t gel stain the best? The best way to color a steel door is with a gel stain.