How can I make a non-wood 1990s front door dark brown and still achieve a grain-like appearance without staining?
Asked by Philip Thompson 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 21, 2024
I have this front door from the 1990s that I want to change to a dark brown color. At first, I thought about sanding and staining it, but then I found out it’s not actually made of wood. So, I guess I’ll have to paint it instead. Is there a way to make the grain stand out afterwards?
Are you referring to fiberglass? Providing more information will help us give you better advice.
Hey , I’m not entirely sure, but I think we were considering some type of plastic. Fiberglass seems like a good option.
You can definitely stain it! It’s probably made of fiberglass. Look up staining techniques for fiberglass doors online and you’ll find plenty of options and how-to guides. I remember we had a door like this when I was a kid, and my dad stained it – it turned out beautifully.
Oh, thank you so much!
Oh yes, I decided to stain mine using gel stain
I used to have doors similar to these that were designed to be stained, you should ask your local home improvement store about them.
Use a brush to paint in a vertical direction.
Oh yeah, there are tools and products specifically made for that kind of task…
You have the option to stain it
Have you thought about using gel stain?
To remove the fiberglass, try using gel to strip it. Follow up with a gel stain and then apply poly for protection – make sure to do 3 coats of poly.
Thank you, !
Reconditioning fiberglass doors is simpler than wood. All you need to do is strip, stain, and seal. Avoid excessive sanding to preserve the molded grain pattern.
Have you considered giving Retique a try?
https://youtu.be/Trt8eTGx9Fw?si=g5cGFOGYTa_UUCvX
Try using Samans wood stain in a semi-transparent finish. It works wonders.
I applied a standard wood stain and matte polyurethane finish. It was put in place in 2017 and it’s still in great shape.