Clean the door and apply a base coat of paint in the color of your choice.
Gel stain metal door to look like wood.
The best way to color a steel door is with a gel stain.
Use gel stain and a wood.
Then one day an answer came to me from the heavens i mean pinterest.
The nice thing about gel stain is there is no drip.
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.
We originally stained it with a gel stain since it s a fiberglass door with faux wood grain back in early 2012.
However there is a traditional stain that i used to go over it.
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.
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.
We chose this gel stain in mahogany.
Choose the right stain color.
Once applied they settle into the grain of the steel door to give it a textured look.
Clean your garage door first.
I then let it dry overnight.
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.
Be sure to use your gloves.
Prime the door with a rust resistant latex primer even if the door is new and has been primed at the factory.
In fact gel stains are often applied to give steel doors the look of wood grain.
If the door is new clean it with a mild degreasing household cleaner.
So it s been looking iffy for a few years now.
Gel stains are thick and designed to cling to and penetrate the surface.
Stain can be messy.
Tips for a diy garage door makeover and how to gel stain a garage door to look like wood.
Allow the primer to dry.
Transform your garage door to a gorgeous faux wood door with this easy gel stain diy garage door makeover.
Regular stain will not adhere to painted pieces then i used a good paintbrush purdy is my all time favorite to apply a coat of the mixed stain to a small section of the door attempting to create a natural wood look.
For reference our door and current dark stain is 7 5 years old.
This thicker wiping stain or a similar gel stain is key for this project.
Select a cheap brush.
Then wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
The door required two good coats of the gel stain.
Use an exterior primer if the part of the door getting the faux wood treatment faces outdoors.
But i don t think we applied a polyurethane topcoat as is specified on the gel stain can.
The amount of gel stain left on will determine the depth of color.