Mahogany Door Restoration

locofoco

I've got 2 potential customers needing their front mahogany doors and sidelights re-done. The sun has really did a number on them, finish is still brown but flaking and powdering.
Whats the best way to restore these without stripping to bare wood? Can I steel wool or sand them, restain and 2 coats of poly? There is some light cracking on one door, what could I fill it with that would be stainable? Is there any new products better than poly that would take more UV abuse.
Thanks!

JMGP

Dont use Poly...

Use an exterior product such as...

Helmsman - Spar Urethane

JMGP

I am assuming that the "clear" finish that is on it now is flaking?

who ever did the doors in the first place probably didnt use the right product...

Steel wool isnt going to do anything for you...

To do it without stripping... you will have to do A LOT of sanding... you will probably find that sanding "alone" will remove most of the flaking finish...

Try to sand most of the finish off becuase if you are going to re-stain it... you want as much stain as possible to penitrate...for uniformity...

after your prep... apply 2-3 coats of the Urethane (exterior)... let first coat dry thoroughly.. then sand it with 220... then apply finish....

there is "stainable" wood patch... one is called Zar - wood patch... its touchy stuff though... I have found that mixing some of the stain that I will be using.. in with it then applying it... do a test with it first... its not perfect!


Joe

locofoco

What would you charge for this job. 36" door- 2 -14" sidelites. Door is about 40% glass.?????