How to restain an exterior front door?

Aries

Hi, please could you assist with my queries regarding an exterior front door.

See attached photos to help with below queries:

The first photo is of the current condition of our exterior front door (mostly bottom half due to exposure to sun etc). I believe that the door may be Jarrah (but cannot confirm).

The second photo is of the interior of the exterior front door, which I would like to achieve on exterior.

Previously, say a number of years ago, I re-stained the exterior of the front door with Cabot's Deck and Exterior Stain - 592W0142 Cedar. However, as can be seen in the below photo, it is now in need of some TLC.

Now that the front door is showing the timber (bottom half), I would appreciate your advice on how I go about it and what stain you would advise to use to match the interior.

My thought train at the moment is:

1. Sand bottom half of door back to timber with 220 grit
2. Sand top half of door (not showing timber) back to timber with 180 grit
3. Use Cabots Deck Clean once sanded back to timber
4. Stain with recommended product (as advised by Bunnings)
5. Apply 3 coats

Thanks for your time.

JacobZ

Hi @Aries,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Overall, your plan sounds good, and I think you're on the right track with the preparation and refinishing process.

If you're looking to remove the existing stain and finish entirely and get back to bare timber, then starting with a coarser grit such as 80 or 120-grit would make the initial removal much easier. You could then work up to 180-grit, or 240-grit if required, to remove the coarser sanding marks and leave a smooth, consistent surface for refinishing.

A random orbital sander will make relatively quick work of the large flat sections, while a detail sander or sanding block will help with the edges and more intricate areas. Make sure you remove all the sanding dust before applying your new coating.

You might also like to have a look at Bunnings' guide How to paint a front door. Although you're staining rather than painting, the information on removing the door, sanding and preparing the surface is still relevant.

For the finish, if you're happy with the natural colour of the timber, something like Cabot's Exterior Clear would be a good option. It's specifically designed for exterior timber such as doors, windows and trim and provides protection against weathering and UV exposure.

If you'd like to add colour back into the timber, Cabot's Exterior Varnish Stain would be another option. It's a combined semi-transparent stain and exterior varnish, so it adds colour while still allowing the timber grain to show through. It's also specifically listed for exterior doors.

Whichever finish you choose, I'd recommend testing it on a small inconspicuous section first to make sure you're happy with the colour before coating the whole door, and follow the manufacturer's preparation and application instructions.

Please remember to wear a suitable dust mask and safety glasses while sanding.

Jacob