Wooden doors are seen in many Walnut Creek and Bay area homes because their owners adore their solid and cozy appearance. However, wooden exterior doors are vulnerable to weather damage, while interior doors can eventually get damaged and lose their charm. However, you are not required to replace your door if this occurs because you have the option to paint or varnish it. 

Custom Painting, Inc.’s painters in Concord provide door refinish-varnish, a method that revitalizes and improves the appearance of a door. It is a procedure that can enhance the material’s inherent beauty while safeguarding it from external elements that might cause deterioration. Read this page to discover more about how it functions and the specifications for door refinish-varnish.  

Painting vs. Varnishing Wooden Doors

When installing or replacing wooden doors in your home, you have to decide whether or not you will coat them in paint or varnish them. Each of these has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and sometimes, it can be challenging to make a decision. With this, let us first understand how each of these service work.

Similarities Between Paint and Varnish

One of the main similarities between paint and varnish is that they are both used to meet the same basic objective. You apply them to wooden doors as you want to provide a coat of protection while improving aesthetic appeal. With this, it is essential to look into which of them will be able to meet these goals more effectively and efficiently. 

Differences in Application

Paint and varnish interact differently with the surface of wooden doors. Varnish finishes work with the wood as it is absorbed by the surface of the door, and the natural grain of the wood is able to show through the varnish. 

Paint, on the other hand, creates an impenetrable coat that covers the door completely without letting any of the wood grain show through. It is not absorbed into the wood but instead creates a solid shell on the surface of the door. These differences have a major impact on the way that they perform on wooden doors.

Which One to Choose

Many people choose varnish as it helps maintain the look of natural wood for doors. It brings out the natural beauty of the wood instead of covering it up with paint. There are also lots of options when it comes to varnish, and some are designed with UV protection and other means of giving wooden doors protection against the elements. However, there are also some disadvantages. One is that varnish is difficult to apply correctly to a wooden door. The door must be sanded carefully for it to achieve a smooth surface and absorb the finish well. Most of the time, multiple coats are needed to get a smooth and glossy finish. Professional help is the best option for varnishing wooden doors.

There are some who choose to paint their doors completely, covering the natural grain and patterns of the wood. This allows for greater design creativity. There are limited tones and shades to choose from in regard to varnish, but in paint, the color options are endless. That’s why many homeowners pick paint to better match their doors to the overall design of their space. 

Apply paint is also easier compared to varnishing wooden doors. At least two coats of paint are often needed, but several more may be necessary depending on the wood type. And like varnish, a lot of paints are formulated to give protection and resilience to wooden doors. 

Your goals will have a big impact on the strategy you choose for your door. Select the approach that will help you to achieve the desired design while also offering your wood door enough protection. 

Professional Door Refinishing and Varnishing Services

Refinishing or varnishing a door is a meticulous process that requires the right tools, materials, and expertise to achieve a flawless finish. As professionals, we ensure that every step is executed with precision to restore and enhance the beauty of your doors. Below, we outline the steps we take when refinishing or varnishing wooden doors for our clients.

Our Process for Refinishing a Wooden Door

When refinishing a wooden door, we use professional-grade tools and materials, including:

• Random orbital sander
• Abrasive scrapers and sanding sponges
• Tack cloths for dust removal
• High-quality wood stain and finish

Step 1: Door Removal and Preparation

Before beginning the refinishing process, we carefully remove the door from its hinges to ensure a thorough and even application. All hardware, including doorknobs and hinges, is detached to prevent interference during refinishing.

Step 2: Sanding the Surface

Using a random orbital sander, we strip away old varnish, paint, or sun damage. This step ensures a smooth surface for the new finish to adhere properly. Once the sanding is complete, we seal the edges with a protective coat before reinstalling the door for the finishing process.

Step 3: Applying the Finish

The application process follows a specific order to ensure even coverage and a professional finish:

1. Panels First – The central panels are refinished first.
2. Moldings Next – We carefully apply the finish to the moldings surrounding the panels.
3. Horizontal Rails – The horizontal sections of the door are coated next.
4. Vertical Stiles – Finally, the vertical sections are finished to complete the process.

Each coat is allowed to dry overnight before additional layers are applied. Between coats, we hand-sand the surface using fine-grit sandpaper (280-grit) to achieve a smooth, even texture. Once the final coat has dried completely, we reinstall the door hardware, ensuring a clean and polished appearance.

Our Process for Varnishing a Wooden Door

For clients who prefer the natural beauty of wood to shine through, we offer professional varnishing services.

Step 1: Testing the Wood Stain

Before applying any stain, we test it on a sample piece of wood similar to the door material. This ensures that the stain produces the desired color and complements the wood grain.

Step 2: Cleaning and Preparing the Door

We thoroughly remove any dust, debris, or residue from the door’s surface to ensure smooth and even absorption of the stain.

Step 3: Applying the Stain

Using high-quality brushes, we apply the stain carefully, following the natural grain of the wood to maintain its aesthetic appeal. We start with the panels, then move on to the moldings, and finally cover the rest of the door.

Step 4: Removing Excess Stain

Once the stain is applied, we use a lint-free cloth to remove excess stain and create an even finish.

Step 5: Applying the Varnish

With the stain dried, we begin the varnishing process. Varnish not only enhances the look of the wood but also provides essential protection.

• Ventilation and Safety – We ensure a well-ventilated workspace and use protective gloves to avoid exposure to fumes.
• Multiple Coats for Durability – Most wooden doors require two to three coats of varnish to provide sufficient protection.
• Strategic Application – We start at the top and work downward in sections, ensuring smooth and even coverage.

Step 6: Sanding Between Coats

After the first coat of varnish dries, we lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to eliminate any imperfections. This allows subsequent layers of varnish to adhere properly, preventing rough patches or bubbles.

Step 7: Final Coats and Drying

We repeat the varnishing and sanding process until the desired finish is achieved. The door is left to dry completely before reinstalling any hardware or accessories.

Hire Custom Painting, Inc. for Your Door Refinishing and Varnishing Needs

There are surely a lot of materials needed when it comes to refinishing or varnishing wooden doors. Having good painting skills is also a must in order to achieve a beautifully varnished or painted door. Therefore, it is best to hire a reliable and trustworthy painting company for this type of task. 

If you are thinking of having your doors at home refinished or varnished, our painting professionals in the Concord are can help you. Custom Painting, Inc. has experienced professional painters who can work on your door refinish-varnish needs. We use only top-quality paints and materials in order to bring out the beauty of your wooden doors and match them with your home’s aesthetics. 

If you need help with refinishing or varnishing your wooden doors, do not hesitate to contact us. You may reach Custom Painting, Inc. at 925-686-0903 or fill out this form to schedule an appointment for any painting needs that you have.