DIY Advise please

Fingy · 21-03-2007, 17:58

Hiyas

I just got all new internal maple doors.

I will need to varnish them, but will want to use a clear varnish and not a stain as I got the maple as its what I like.

Any advise on what sort of varnish to get, I am guessing matt or satin as gloss just sounds wrong for a door. Also, once I get it, any tips on the application?

TIA

Jill

bopdude · 21-03-2007, 18:41

Not to sure about the varnish, what about wax instead

tick · 21-03-2007, 18:54

Ronseal does what it says on the tin
Matt for doors

---------- Post added at 18:54 ---------- Previous post was at 18:44 ----------

Oh and sand between coats with fine sand paper .then hover or use a sticky rag

21-03-2007, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Not to sure about the varnish, what about wax instead

I'd go along with that, too

greencreeper · 21-03-2007, 19:20

Use wax. Varnish can lift the grain a little, causing the surface to feel rough. Needs a lot of sanding and varnishing to get a nice smooth surface.

Fingy · 21-03-2007, 19:23

Hmm, thanks for the replies.

Guess its back to the pondering/poking about in the DIY shop stage... noone in any of those shops has the first clue about anything!

Taf · 21-03-2007, 19:24

Don't forget to treat ALL surfaces including top and bottom....

Fingy · 21-03-2007, 19:26

Yeah thanks Taf. Had already pondered when I decide what to use to test it out on the hinge side of the door as it wouldn't really be seen? Hang on... bottom... take the doors off?

I might strip the wallpaper off the back room and ponder lots. DIY... never ending cycle!

Bulky · 21-03-2007, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fingy

Hmm, thanks for the replies.

Guess its back to the pondering/poking about in the DIY shop stage... noone in any of those shops has the first clue about anything!

little advise , i am a bench joiner and always use 'danish oil' , wax imo tends to attract dust which can get in the grain of the timber. varnish on the other hand goes yellow after time , danish oil doesn't colour the timber (keeping it natural) , couple of coats per door with a light sand in between will make them look lovely

Fingy · 21-03-2007, 19:44

Think I may take a trip to the local hardware shop for a nosey and a chat instead of the bigger DIY places. Thanks all!

Taf · 24-03-2007, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fingy

Hang on... bottom... take the doors off?

If a job's worth doing....

And you should protect where the hinges will sit too.

Exterior doors are the worst... ANY exposed wood should be protected with varnish or whatever AFTER cutting all holes, etc. A right royal pain in the posterior.... but many door manufacturer guarantees demand this.

Fingy · 24-03-2007, 20:14

True. Externals are ok, they are PVC.

I was going to sort the internals this weekend, decided to get drunk instead tho.

trebor · 24-03-2007, 21:27

I'll second the oil suggestion. by far the easiest to apply and by far the best finish. it will enhance the appearance of the timber and is easy to touch up/ repair if it gets knocked or scuffed.

Alien · 28-03-2007, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Use wax. Varnish can lift the grain a little, causing the surface to feel rough. Needs a lot of sanding and varnishing to get a nice smooth surface.

On the lifting of grain issue - I remember a tip from that show, The New Yankee Workshop. If you wipe the wood over with a damp cloth it'll cause the bits that would normally raise up to do so, then you can sand them flush again. Allow to dry, & then if you varnish it shouldn't be an issue.