How to Refinish Fiberglass Doors

After years of use, you may find that your fiberglass doors become worn, and the top coat finish becomes cracked or flaked. This is true of any exterior fiberglass doors which are exposed to the weather. The breakdown of the topcoat can result in your doors looking past their best, and worn out. However, if you're suffering from fiberglass doors which have aged badly, there are things that you can do to improve their appearance, and the easiest of these is to apply a new topcoat finish. Following a few simple steps, this job should be completed in a few hours.

Step 1  - Prepare the Door

Before beginning, you will need to remove the door furniture. If you are refinishing an exterior door, this can include door knobs, letter boxes, doorbells and knockers. They should be easy to remove with a simple screwdriver. Put these things to one side, or you can leave them to be cleaned while the topcoat is drying overnight. Use painter's tape to cover your hinges, and around the edges of the windows. You can use the tape to put plastic or newspaper over any glass in order to protect it. Lay sheets and more newspaper around the door so that the floor is protected against the stain and topcoat.

Step 2 - Cleaning the Door

When applying stain or topcoats to a door, you need it to be as clean as possible. Dirt and debris on the door will be trapped in the stain, and will become very visible after drying, so you want to minimize this as much as possible. Wipe the door thoroughly with a sponge and some ordinary dish or liquid soap. Scrub places in the door that are very dirty, and then wash the door with clear water. Dry off with a towel, or leave to dry naturally.

Step 3 - Applying the Stain

Make sure that the windows near your door being refurnished are fully open, and use a mask and gloves. While you have the door prepared, you may wish to add a fresh layer of paint or stain. If you do stain or paint your door, you will have to leave it at least 24 hours, and most probably 48 hours, before you can apply your clear coat.

Step 4 - Applying the Topcoat

Now your door is ready to receive the topcoat. Dip your paintbrush into the container, taking care not to allow more than an inch of the brush to be covered by the liquid. Take care not to saturate the brush, as this can make the topcoat heavy and uneven. Make sure that you apply your topcoat thinly, beginning at the top of your fiberglass door, and working down slowly, following the grain effect caused by your stain. Long, regular movements are the best, rather than short strokes. You will need to apply more than one coat of this finish, and some experts recommend that you use three or four coats of finish. Leave to dry.