Door Finishing Instructions
Paint and stain your ODL entry door with the best practices for Satin Smooth and Rift Cut textures.
PREPARATION
TIMING
Time allotted to finish door in order to comply with warranty:
• 4 weeks from installation date on Steel.
• 6 months from installation date on Fiberglass.
DOOR PREP
Door may be finished while hanging in the door frame or removed from the jamb (ODL recommends finishing the door
out of the frame on a flat, horizontal surface). If finished in the door frame, remove all hardware including weatherstrip.
Weatherstrip may be removed by gently pulling it out. Reinsert by pushing back in once the door has completely dried.
• To remove door from the frame, use hammer and center punch to remove door pins from the hinges.
• For outswing doors the hinge leaf must be removed.
• We recommend finishing doors:
• In a horizontal position on a padded surface.
• Out of direct sunlight.
• In a dust-free environment.
• Allow doors to acclimate to local conditions for at least 24 hours.
• Clean all Steel door surfaces with lint free rag, mild detergent and water or TSP (Tri-sodium phosphate solution)
and allow to fully dry.
• Clean all Fiberglass door surfaces with lint free rag and denatured alcohol then allow to fully dry.
• If the door contains glass insert and exhibits excess sealant or squeeze out, follow the guidelines below:
• Spray the area with standard glass cleaner.
• Carefully score the the excess sealant with a utility knife at a 45 degree angle
• Use caution not to scratch the glass.
• Never use sand paper or lacquer thinner on Fiberglass doors.
PAINTING SATIN SMOOTH
MATERIALS NEEDED
The following list of materials is a general list required for painting doors properly. Not all materials and tools may be required based on the finishing project.
• Safety Glasses & Rubber/Latex Gloves
• Dust Mask/Respirator Suitable for Painting
• 2 Stir Sticks
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Punch
• Utility Knife
• Paintbrush/Roller
• Sprayer
• Denatured Alcohol
• Masking Tape
• Sandpaper (400 grit) or Fine Steel Wool (#0000)
• Clean Lint Free Cloth
• Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirits (Clean-Up)
PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS
• Use high-quality acrylic latex house paint. Outside surfaces require exterior grade paints.
• All 6 sides of door must be finished to comply with warranty.
• Apply paint when door and air are above 50 degrees and below 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For maximum paint adhesion, lightly scuff ODL Steel Doors with 400 grit sand paper or fine steel wool.
• ODL Satin Smooth Fiberglass Doors are manufactured with a brush-stroke finish which promotes superior paint-adherence. No sanding is required.
• Paint application may be applied by spray, roller or brush. Refer to paint manufacturer’s instructions for best
results by application.
• If the door contains glass insert, follow door glass frame finishing instructions.
• If painted door is exposed to direct sunlight, darker color finishes may deteriorate quickly and require frequent
inspection and maintenance.
STAINING RIFT CUT
MATERIALS NEEDED
The following list of materials is a general list required for painting doors properly. Not all materials and tools may be required based on the finishing project.
• Safety Glasses & Rubber/Latex Gloves
• Dust Mask/Respirator Suitable for Painting
• 2 Stir Sticks
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Punch
• Utility Knife
• Synthetic Paintbrush (One 2-1⁄2”, One 1”)
• Foam Brush
• Denatured Alcohol
• Masking Tape
• Clean Lint Free Cloth
• Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirits (Clean-up)
• Stain (Gel or Opaque Heavily Pigmented Oil Base)
• Polyurethane Top-Coat with UV Inhibitor
STAINING INSTRUCTIONS
• Once door has been prepped, put on protective gloves.
• Using a gel stain or opaque, heavily pigmented oil base stain, mix contents thoroughly according to stain
manufacturer’s directions.
• Working in the prescribed order detailed in Image 1, work stain into door in a circular motion with staining rag or foam brush.
STAINING
Pro Tips
- ODL reccommends using a staining rag for superior application.
- Only stain one area at a time.
(1 Panel, 1 Horizontal, 1 Stile, etc.)
• Using a clean, dry rag remove stain by wiping in the direction of the grain. Pressure on the rag will determine the amount of stain that is removed from the door.
• Using a dry paintbrush, blend stain with light brush strokes. Stain will tend to gather in the panel corners and the brush
will allow stain to be blended. Frequently clean brush with dry rag to remove stain from bristles.
STAINING TIP:
When staining panels, excess stain will invariably get on vertical and horizontal surfaces. Before stain has a chance
to dry, wipe clean with clean rag dampened with mineral spirits.
• Allow stain to fully dry per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Flip door on to clean, padded surface and repeat process for second side.
PROTECTIVE TOP-COAT
• Using a clean, dry rag remove stain by wiping in the direction of the grain. Pressure on the rag will determine the amount of stain that is removed from the door.
• Using a dry paintbrush, blend stain with light brush strokes. Stain will tend to gather in the panel corners and the brush
will allow stain to be blended. Frequently clean brush with dry rag to remove stain from bristles.
STAINING TIP:
Use light strokes to apply top coat. Bristles should bend slightly.
Brush a maximum of 2 to 3 light strokes in the direction of the grain to reduce visible brush marks.
• Soapy water may be used to clean brush if polyurethane is water-based. If oil based, follow manufacturer’s
instructions for brush clean-up. Make sure brush is completely dry before proceeding.
• Follow top coat manufacturer’s directions for applying second and third coats. A minimum of 2 coats is required to seal
door. Remember to seal top and bottom edges of the door.
CLEAN-UP TIP:
Please use caution during the clean-up phase of the staining process. Stains, paints and top-coats may
contain flammable materials.
Please follow all safety precautions prescribed by the manufacturer’s of each product prior, during and after the
finishing process.
CONTINUED MAINTENANCE
• All finished doors will require maintenance over time. The frequency of maintenance will be based on exposure to the
sun, climatic weathering and air pollutants.
• When the top-coat gloss has lost its sheen and/or the surface feels rough to the touch, it is time for the door to be
top-coated.
Need more help?
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