Then wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Gel stain metal door to look like wood.
Gel stain is easy to apply but it sets fast.
The next morning i went over it with my color choice of stain with just a rag.
So it s been looking iffy for a few years now.
Stain can be messy.
Transform your garage door to a gorgeous faux wood door with this easy gel stain diy garage door makeover.
Then one day an answer came to me from the heavens i mean pinterest.
Tips for a diy garage door makeover and how to gel stain a garage door to look like wood.
A tutorial from rachael of lovely crafted home gave me major hope when she successfully gel stained her fiberglass front door to make it look like a legit wood door.
Be sure to use your gloves.
For reference our door and current dark stain is 7 5 years old.
Select a cheap brush.
Once applied they settle into the grain of the steel door to give it a textured look.
Use gel stain and a wood.
Use long brush strokes in the direction of the grain and remove the gel stain from the brush as it begins to accumulate with paper towels or a rag.
The door required two good coats of the gel stain.
I then let it dry overnight.
We chose this gel stain in mahogany.
But i don t think we applied a polyurethane topcoat as is specified on the gel stain can.
And while i did have some evidence that this hack could serve my own needs i was still a bit concerned that it may not have the same effect on an aged not.
While the gel stain is wet you ll want to use a clean dry synthetic brush to remove the excess stain and create a uniform look.
Use an exterior primer if the part of the door getting the faux wood treatment faces outdoors.
The nice thing about gel stain is there is no drip.
If the door is new clean it with a mild degreasing household cleaner.
Choose the right stain color.
The best way to color a steel door is with a gel stain.
Prime the door with a rust resistant latex primer even if the door is new and has been primed at the factory.
Allow the primer to dry.
Clean the door and apply a base coat of paint in the color of your choice.
The amount of gel stain left on will determine the depth of color.
Gel stains are thick and designed to cling to and penetrate the surface.
We originally stained it with a gel stain since it s a fiberglass door with faux wood grain back in early 2012.
Clean your garage door first.
In fact gel stains are often applied to give steel doors the look of wood grain.
This thicker wiping stain or a similar gel stain is key for this project.