New Wood
Make sure the surface is clean and dry. Sand with #120 or #150 grit sandpaper until the surface feels smooth.* Remove sanding dust with a tack cloth or a cloth dampened with paint thinner.*
Grained or Painted Surfaces
Remove all dirt, oil, wax, polish and grease with turpentine or a suitable solvent. Sand lightly in the direction of the grain to remove gloss.* Wipe away any sanding dust with a tack cloth.
Graining Embossed Surfaces (Fiberglass, Steel or Composite)
Remove the door from its hinges by removing the hinge pins, or you can work with the door mounted. In either case, make sure the surface is clean and dry before beginning.* It is helpful to wipe the surface lightly with a cloth dampened with denatured alcohol or paint thinner to remove dust particles.
Do not thin. Stir ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain thoroughly before and during application. Using a clean lint-free cloth, wipe ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain on evenly in the direction of the grain of the wood. Wipe off excess wood stain using a clean, lint-free cloth. Let the stain dry for 3 to 4 hours. If greater depth of color is desired, apply a second coat of ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain and repeat the drying and buffing steps. Allow 3 hours drying time. Protect your stain by top coating with ZAR® Polyurethane.
Application
Grained or Painted Surfaces
Wipe on ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain with a lint-free cloth, then use a brush, cloth or graining tool to achieve a wood grain effect. Allow ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain to dry for at least 48 hours before applying a protective coat of ZAR® Polyurethane.
Graining Embossed Surfaces (fiberglass, steel or composite)
Stir ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain thoroughly. Using a lint-free cloth, wipe on a light uniform coat. Use a dry, soft-bristled brush to remove any streaks and enhance the wood grained look of the door. If your first coat is too light, wait 48 hours and wipe on a second coat. As with the first coat, remove any streaks with a dry, soft-bristled brush. Do not sand between coats. Sanding can damage the fiberglass surface. After allowing the stain to dry for 48 hours, complete the job by applying your choice of ZAR® Polyurethane.
For the exterior side of doors exposed to prolonged or extreme sunlight, apply ZAR® Exterior Water Base Poly High Performance. For doors protected by overhangs and porches, and for the inside of doors, apply a ZAR® Interior Polyurethane of your choice. Use a quality, natural bristle brush or a ZAR® Polyurethane spray can. If using a brush, apply a thin coat of ZAR® Polyurethane in the direction of the grain.
Steel Door Instructions
Create a wood grain effect on steel doors with ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain and the ZAR® Wood Graining Tool. Before you begin to grain your door, practice on a painted metal or painted wood surface until you feel comfortable with the graining tool. When you begin to grain your door, wipe a thin, uniform coat of ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain on the surface and let it stand for about 15 minutes.
Quart Coverage - 800 sqft Beginning at the top of the surface to be grained, draw the graining tool down, moving it at a constant speed. While drawing the graining tool, use a rocking motion to create a natural heartwood appearance. Do not allow the grooves of the graining tool to flood with stain. If you are not satisfied with your results, wipe off what you have applied using a cloth dampened with mineral spirits and start over. After allowing at least 48 hours drying time, apply a thin, uniform coat of ZAR® Interior Oil Base Stain over the newly grained surface in the direction of the grain. The darkness of the finish depends on the amount of stain applied. Allow this coat to dry thoroughly for at least 48 hours.
