I then let it dry overnight.
Gel stain metal door to look like wood.
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.
The nice thing about gel stain is there is no drip.
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.
Be sure to use your gloves.
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.
Stain can be messy.
For reference our door and current dark stain is 7 5 years old.
Use gel stain and a wood.
We originally stained it with a gel stain since it s a fiberglass door with faux wood grain back in early 2012.
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.
Allow the primer to dry.
Use an exterior primer if the part of the door getting the faux wood treatment faces outdoors.
The door required two good coats of the gel stain.
Gel stains are thick and designed to cling to and penetrate the surface.
The next morning i went over it with my color choice of stain with just a rag.
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.
The best way to color a steel door is with a gel stain.
Then one day an answer came to me from the heavens i mean pinterest.
Gel stain is easy to apply but it sets fast.
Prime the door with a rust resistant latex primer even if the door is new and has been primed at the factory.
Transform your garage door to a gorgeous faux wood door with this easy gel stain diy garage door makeover.
Clean the door and apply a base coat of paint in the color of your choice.
So it s been looking iffy for a few years now.
Select a cheap brush.
If the door is new clean it with a mild degreasing household cleaner.
Once applied they settle into the grain of the steel door to give it a textured look.
This thicker wiping stain or a similar gel stain is key for this project.
The amount of gel stain left on will determine the depth of color.
Clean your garage door first.
Then wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
However there is a traditional stain that i used to go over it.
You have to do your prep work before you paint a metal door to create the wood grain look.
In fact gel stains are often applied to give steel doors the look of wood grain.
We chose this gel stain in mahogany.