Nigel Higgins – DIY Daddy

When you are a homeowner, you will without a doubt have a list of jobs to do around the home. Of course, that list never goes down, it only ever increases. And there are a few jobs that should be done on an annual basis to retain a good condition and prevent deterioration.

When purchasing a new home, you should look for ways to both maintain and improve it. Often, you’ll head outside to make improvements first because exposure to external weather conditions can cause damage if parts of the house are unprotected. If the property is older, for example, it may or may not have a garden fence. If it doesn’t, or if the existing fence is rotten, then you’ll probably need to install a new one. This addition will make it more pleasant to sit out in the garden and provide privacy. Very often we look for extra storage space, for garden tools perhaps, maybe a lawnmowers. A perfect solution for this is a garden shed. A garage too is perfect for storage and like a shed, may also come with a wooden garage door. 

If you have any of the above in your home, these are jobs that you need to put on your to do list for annual maintenance. 

In the UK we have relatively harsh winters and which will include a lot of rain and often a sprinkling of snow. If you have any exterior wood, such as a shed or a wooden garage door, if they are not treated on an annual basis they will rot very quickly and you will be faced with the cost of replacing them. That’s why it pays to stain them with a quality wood stain or wood preservative such as Cuprinol so they give you years of good service. 

Before we start on the tutorial of staining a garage door, it’s very important to note that when buying your wood stain/preservative, you always buy the wood stain/preservative in metal packaging or tins. This is the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way to buy. It’s also much better for storage. The reasons behind this are quite simple. Metal recycles forever and it’s a permanently available material. It also has a high recycling rate and can of course be upcycled and reused in many different and creative ways. 

What tools and products will you need for staining a wooden garage door?

• A 2.5 Litre tin of Cuprinol wood stain/ preservative
• A 3 inch wood stain paintbrush 
• A bristle hand brush 
• 80 Grade sandpaper 
• Masking tape 

How to start staining your garage door

My most important tip for staining a garage door is to make sure you do all your preparation, and make sure the garage is completely dry so the wood stain/ preservative actually penetrates the wood and protects it from rotting and, of course, you get the perfect finish. So, let’s start the tutorial. 

Step 1 

Even though the area is outside, many homes now have lovely driveways that are either block paved or similar so it’s very important to put down dust sheets to protect the driveway from stains. It’s nearly impossible to remove it so prevention is better than cure. 

Step 2

Using the hard bristle hand brush remove all the dust, dirt and cobwebs that build-up on outdoor wooden fixtures and fittings. 

Step 3

If any of the wood is rotten, now is the time to repair it using a wood filler that is of similar colour to the stain you are using. Make sure you allow 24 hours for the filler to harden and then using the 80 grade sandpaper, sand the area until it is smooth. 

Step 4

Your wooden garage door is now ready to be painted with the Cuprinol wood stain/preservative. When applying the wood stain make sure you do so in even strokes and apply it quite thickly to make sure the wood stain soaks well into the wood. It may require a second coat although Cuprinol does offer a one-coat technology. If it does need a second coat then allow at least 4 hours between coats as recommended by Cuprinol. 

Whether you are staining a garage door, a shed or a fence, the process is exactly the same as above. By staining any exterior wood annually it will keep it safe from rotting and will keep it looking good for a long time. 

If you attempt this step-by-step guide, we’d love to see your results – just use the hashtag #DoItWithCans on social media.