Mahogany exterior door - paint or stain?

At long last, we can focus on the outside of our house and new front door is top of list – we are getting a mahogany door made and have decided we want black — but are now confused about whether it should be stained or painted – if painted, what sheen, etc.. We have kids, we have tenants, it’s a high traffic door and we expect scratches, dings, etc. – does anyone have any opinion about what to recommend or avoid? Thanks in advance!

4668squarefeet

in Renovation 10 years and 8 months ago

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jockdeboeraia | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Stain it. Mahogany is beautiful. Marine varnish is the way to go if it gets direct sunlight.

thetinkerswagon | 10 years and 8 months ago

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we should add though, that the marine varnish does scratch. it scratches because it is softer than regular interior products. now you are wondering, how could that be since it is supposed to be durable enough for boats. the exterior product is made soft to move with the cycles in the weather – the hot, cold, humid, dry – and the corresponding movement in the wood. the thing about marine varnish is, you can give it a light sand with 180 paper and tack it off and recoat it. this is a 1 hour job for one side of an average pair of doors once you have the materials together. Steve

sjb | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Why would you paint mahogany? I hand sand mine once a year and use “real” tung oil on them. Seems a shame to cover up such a beautiful wood.

daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 8 months ago

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All your points are certainly correct, Steve.

thetinkerswagon | 10 years and 8 months ago

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you know, that wood may achieve that nice black appearance like the old oak they exposed to chlorine fumes if it is done with something like dark walnut stain by mohawk. they also have a darker stain. Steve

thetinkerswagon | 10 years and 8 months ago

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DIBS: we do order a lot on line. but it is a shame to risk running local suppliers out of business as they (and I am not talking about HD or Lowe’s but mom and pops) have a lot of knowledge that will leave with them. also, when you are a contractor like I am you really have to maintain relationships with these guys as they help us by recommending product we may never have known existed and teach us tricks that are going to the wayside due to regulations and the loss of old school pros (if I have to ask a guy in an orange apron a question, I am in serious trouble and might as well hang it up). a lot of the customer service folks on the other end of the phone line do not know one end of a paint brush from the other. Competition is driving old fashioned knowledgeable service out the window and we may save money now but we will all pay for that in the end. I know some people will think that I, as a contractor, should be the expert and not want homeowners to know how to do things, but the truth is, i have run my business by sharing information and knowledge and it works for me. to me, price is not everything. Steve

daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I agree with Steve that it’s a shame to paint a mahogany door but the OP said they wanted it black. Why did you choose mahogany anyway? Also I want to introduce Steve to something called the internet and Amazon in particular where virtually anything can be found and shipped to your home in about 3 days at no cost and sometimes with no sales tax and cheaper than you would find it anywhere in Brooklyn! 🙂

c_w | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Why mahogany, especially if painted? Casing is new to match or existing?

thetinkerswagon | 10 years and 8 months ago

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It is a shame to paint such a nice wood. As for the stain, stay away from Minwax. Mohawk is your best bet and the dry time is faster for overcoat. Mohawk does not fade in out door applications. Abbot Paint on Eagle St carries Mohawk products. In so far as varnish, dave mentions Epifanes. Probably one of the better but it will be hard to locate in the city. Other good ones are Petitt Captain’s Varnish (goes on reddish) and Interlux (more of a clear finish). These are available at the Marina’s down near the end of Flatbush Ave. Also Freeport Marine. West Marine in the city should carry Interlux. Interlux is seen as the one to use by many boat owners. I have used ben moore’s Marine Spar and like it because it goes on clear. I think it may be a newer product and may not have the test of time. Mazzone Paint and Hardware on Court Street carries the Ben Moore Varnish. Do not use Old Master’s. we have a gallon of it here we bought a year ago and used it for one project and did not like it. thin and runny. no build. McKloskey’s Spar Varnish is available at many hardware stores. We have used it with success, but it tends to redden the project. May be viewed as a lesser grade product. Do not go near any of the Spar “Urethanes” found in the big box stores. Check with Abbot and see what Varnishes they may have. Maybe they have Epifanes. I know they have McKloskey. Steve

daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 8 months ago

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a high quality opaque black stain and a high quality marine spar varnish like Epifanes would certainly work well but will wind up taking more time and being more costly. i painted mine black with a high quality 100% acrylic satin finish over oil based primer. The oil based primer is the key and make sure you apply two coats, especially to the top and bottom unseen edges. i dont remember what brand paint i used but it was whatever best quality i found at the time at Weinstein’s. You should ask whoever made your door.