Something like a Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain works well on exterior mahogany wood use and will serve your front door well. If it’s good enough for mahogany boats and docks, it should be good for mahogany doors, it would seem. If staining is part of your choice, though, a combination stain/sealant can be a good choice. Inclement weather and harmful UV rays will harm a mahogany front door and speed up the need for refinishing. While staining is optional, sealing is not.It resists insect damage and wood rot, and when properly finished and maintained can last on a house longer than the house’s inhabitants. Stains for Exterior Mahogany DoorsĪs we’ve said, mahogany is an extremely durable wood, making it the standard for exterior doors for a very long time. Finally, be sure to allow ample time for the stain to dry completely before any sealant or finish is applied. If the door has any detailed ornamental carving elements, begin with those, and then continue on the vertical and horizontal stiles. Use a rag to wipe away any excess stain as you go along. This is especially so for outdoor wood uses – furniture, doors – and stain absorbed into the wood will not flake off.Ī natural bristle brush can be used to apply the stain, always in the direction of the grain. Film-forming finishes do not let the wood move, and over time all wood moves. Generally speaking, a penetrating oil-based stain absorbed into the wood will not fail as quickly as film-forming finishes will. They simply fade, rather than peel, and can be reapplied when that happens. They are easy to apply, and because they are absorbed by the wood they will resist peeling over time such as a water-based stain will. That absorption enhances the natural beauty of the wood and adds a vibrancy to its appearance. Penetrating stains are traditional and long-used oil-based wood stains that are manufactured to penetrate the pores of the wood to which they are applied. Most woodworkers recommend avoiding water-based stains as they can create an uneven finish if the door has been previously stained or sealed. Stains that are of pigmented oil, including gel stains, are often used because they are easy to apply, but they can detract from the wood’s natural grain.Ī penetrating oil stain will allow the natural grain and beauty of mahogany to show, rather than a stain that simply rests on top of the wood. Sunshine and water are certainly a part of boats and docks, and excellent marine products have been developed to cope with these elements and preserve mahogany.Īnd we say that staining is not essential because many prefer to let the natural reddish-brown color of mahogany shine through. Mahogany is a common wood used by boat makers and dock makers because of its strength and durability. You will recall that we mentioned boat makers earlier. A protective sealant to the door will help it resist fading, as well as damage from UV rays and moisture. So, in addition to a stain (although that is not essential), a sealer becomes essential in the finishing of an exterior mahogany door. We know that water is wood’s enemy, and we also know that UV rays will cause the wood fibers to deteriorate and its finish to fade. An exterior door will be subjected to weather changes and sunshine. For an exterior finish on a mahogany front door, you can stain darker than the wood, but not lighter. It retains that warmth and richness in status and appearance as a home’s front door. It would be beautifully and ornately crafted, and pieces were expensive, a true showcase in a sitting room or parlor where guests would be entertained. In older times, mahogany furniture was considered a status and wealth symbol. A water-based stain will raise the grain on it, and a mild sanding with 150-grit sandpaper will smooth it back or, you can leave the raised grain for a natural look. It takes to staining very nicely after a bit of work. Its durability serves all of those purposes well. This makes it a favorite of furniture makers, boat makers, and as a good choice for flooring, musical instruments, and doors.
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