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Maintenance & Care of
Exterior Wood Doors |
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exterior wood doors, you may be required to perform
periodic maintenance. Maintenance may be required at any
time and may include (but is not limited to) maintaining
the exterior finish or paint of wood products, trimming
swollen wood products, and periodic hardware oiling or
polishing. Required maintenance may vary depending upon
environmental conditions in your area and overhang
protection provided.
Finish Maintenance
Finish life varies, and the amount of moisture,
direct sunlight and accumulation of dust or soil all
affect the finish. In severe weather exposure, finish
life may be about a year. For homes with entries
protected from sun and moisture, finishes may last many
years. Fortunately, you can ascertain if the finish
should be restored just by looking at it. Evidence of
dulling, a "dry" feeling, raised grain and minor surface
checks are all signs that a finish restoration is
needed. A whitish cast to the final finish, particularly
on doors subject to sun and moisture, is also a sign for
finish restoration. Additionally, dark streaks starting
at the bottom of the panels are a sign that moisture is
being drawn up into the wood. Occasionally inspect your
doors for any of these conditions. If any of them
appear, it is important to restore the finish
immediately.
To properly restore the finish, please follow these
steps carefully:
- Lightly sand, then wipe away dust with a clean
cloth, slightly dampened with mineral spirits.
- Apply at least two coats of a fade-resistant
exterior polyurethane with an ultraviolet inhibitor
(following the manufacturer's recommendations). Sand
lightly between coats.
- Finish all six sides of the door.
Factory and non-factory finishes must be maintained to
maintain most manufacturers warranties. If the
finish is not maintained, it will begin to fail, and
your door may require a complete refinishing. Failure to
maintain the finish may void any available warranties. |
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Following
these simple steps will keep your exterior wood doors
beautiful for
years to come!
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