I have a new wooden screen door that I want to paint or stain a deep red colour. I don't want it to come out strawberry or paprika. The red I am talking about is a blood red. What can I do to achieve this affect. I have picked out a colour from Colour Your World, it is "Drum Beat" or "Rapture." By the way, the door is pine. we are also renovating our kitchen and I want that colour for my cupboards too. I do realize, to achieve that deep colour I might have to put on several coats.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Kimbo a go go

 

Regardless of the color, if you want the grain to show through, you should use a stain. Look at examples of semi-transparent, and opaque to see which one gives the look you desire.
As for a blood red, not sure if it can be found in a stain, but good luck in your search.

 

You certainly do not want paint nor a solid stain. I don't think you can get blood red in a stain either.

However, you can do it with an aniline dye. Dyes are available either water soluable and alcohol and oil soluable. I've use the water soulable dyes. With dyes, you can make it as dark as you want.

Normally dyes are not good for exterior use, but a screen door that is not exposed to sunlight all day may be ok. Be sure to top coat with a couple coats of spar urethane for the extra UV protection.

Dyes are available at most wood worker supply stores. This does not mean a big box store.
Online, check out www.woodworker.com and look for dyes.

 

BobF and Pwg are right on. I've used water base dye but had heavy rain wash it off (on a deck) even though it had been coated with linseed oil so using an exterior polyurethane to cover it and protect it. Experiment on similar bare wood to get an idea of what you will get.

 

Jeff raises a good popint I neglected. If the color gets too dark, a little water can lighten it. But remember to seal it when its done.

 

Thanks so much for your advice. What do you think about whitewashing with paint (red)? I haven't heard about dye before, but I will inquire at my local building supply store. The screen door in question will be exposed to the sunlight and weather, so would it be alright to use this dye even though you use the exterior urethane?

Thanks,
Kimbo a go go

 

The sun will cause the dye to fade, even with a protective UV coating.

Minwax makes stain in colors now, but I don't think any are going to be the shade of red you are looking for. Doesn't hurt to check them out, though.

You're just going to have to experiment a bit. Buy a piece of pine with grain similar to your door. Then try the whitewash to see if you like the effect. just put it on a small area of the sample board. Also buy some small cans of stain to test its color. You can mix different stains to change the color. Just do an ounce at a time and test it on the sample board.

 

Thanks BobF! I have for a while now been looking for stain and paint with avail. I check out the minwax and they just don't have the colour. I will definitely experiement. I have seen the colour on T.V. close to what I want and I can't get the stain. They won't ship it to me (boarder control). I live in Ontario Canada and the manufacture is in the States. I thank you for your advice and will keep trying. If worst comes to worst, I will use cheap cupboards doors and paint doors and the screen door the colour I want (RED). lolololol

Again thanks,
I appreciate your help.

Kimbo a go go