When varnishing a door start at the top and varnish in stages down to the bottom of the door unless you are varnishing a panelled door in which case varnish the panels individually first from top left to bottom right before varnishing the centre vertical panel the cross rails from top to bottom and then the outer edges.
Varnishing an interior door no panels.
Using vertical strokes lightly apply the first coat of marine varnish to all surfaces.
You can apply varnish with a brush or you can spray it.
Soak a new china bristle brush for a minute or two in paint thinner then spin or knock off the excess.
Then roll on a coat of bin or kilz available at home centers for about 8 per quart.
You must apply marine varnish as described in the next steps or any warranty will be void.
All other finishes over raw wood or compatible stains will void our warranty.
Start on the panels then move to the surround ing moldings.
Follow step a for screen doors and exterior doors.
Wipe off the dust with a brush.
Have the home center or paint store tint the primer to a grayish color to help cover the underlying varnish.
Prepare area remove door hardware lay a tarpaulin or laminated dustsheet on the ground to protect it from any stray varnish.
Remove any decorative panels to ensure even coverage reinstalling them afterward.
Pour some finish into a clean bucket and dip the bristles about a third of the way into the liquid.
In either case several light coats are better than one or two heavy ones.
The goal is to remove any flaky varnish and to roughen the surface for a good primer bond.
Then using a screwdriver unscrew and remove the door handles any hooks or other hardware.
Whether you have a new interior wooden door that you plan to stain or an existing door that is already stained a protective coat of varnish is needed to complete your project.
Follow step b for interior doors.
Generously apply the varnish to the top and bottom of the door.
Marine spar varnish is the only finish coat we recommend.
Coat the horizontal rails next and finally the vertical stiles.
Spar varnish can be applied over raw wood or complimentary stains as recommended by the manufacturer.