How to finish external maple doors?

davidw2147

hi everyone,

looking for some advice on what to do with these two external doors we bought from Bunnings please… both are maple: the glass door is sliced pacific maple and the kookaburra door is a maple veneer.

not sure whether to varnish or stain … been told that staining maple is notoriously difficult? If anyone has these doors, what did you do?

any advice would be really appreciated, thank you 

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @davidw2147. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about coating maple doors.

Before deciding, do you actually want to change the colour of the doors? If not, varnishing them might be the simpler solution. Varnishing enhances the natural beauty of the wood and provides good protection. Staining maple, on the other hand, can be tricky due to its dense and tight grain, which can result in blotchy and uneven results.

If you want to change the colour, start by using Feast Watson 250ml Sanding Sealer and following the directions for application and sanding. Apply the stain evenly with a brush or cloth, wiping off any excess immediately. Multiple thin coats can help achieve a more even colour. Finally, seal the stain with a clear exterior varnish. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell