"Can I just use two coats of Behr semi transparent weatherproofing deck stain?"

It is not for millwork that is why people do not use it. You need to follow the steps you mentioned or you will have a bigger mess than just the finish fading.

Short cuts make for long travel. Deck stain would totally ruin it, If you want less effort, strip it and paint it. UV kills even automotive finishes though. There is zero option that is no maintenance.

Thanks millworkman. Just curious - is there something about millwork that makes it less accepting of deck stain, for example different wood species (not redwood or ipe) or harder-to-remove mill glaze?

what wood species is your door ?

If deck stain was a good product to use on doors don't you think that one of the companies that makes stain would advertise it as so? As in "Joe's Deck and Door Stain" These companies have marketing departments whose only mission is to sell more of their products, right.

If you want a stained, wood door it's going to require maintenance. How much maintenance is a function of exposure and the products you use to finish the door. If you want to cut down on maintenance, paint the door. Using a deep base untinted exterior paint is an alternative to a traditional varnish that many have reported good results using.

Hi all, I decided to just risk it. I became a homeowner partially just to try crazy ideas like this. Indeed it was much harder to get the deck stain to look good on the millwork than on deck boards. I rate my brush technique a B+ at best. Every slight mistake showed, because brushing cross grain will leave streaky stain marks. Still I was able to “mostly” fix them by adding an extra coat after specified dry time. It was still much less overall effort than the iterative approaches usually followed. From color and feel I’m guessing the door is pine or fir. See photos for before (sanded and masked) and after (stained).

Any update on the front door? I am interested how this lasted?

There are a few things you can do to help keep your deck stain looking fresh. First, make sure to clean it regularly with a deck cleaner. Second, apply a sealant every few years to help protect the stain from the elements. Finally, use a deck stain that is designed for exterior use and is weather resistant.

Hows the deck stain doing on the door

Did the deck stain hold up on the front door.. Recently my painter used deck stain on the beams near my front door. I told him to use the same color on the front door, I didnt mean to use the deck stain but he did and now I have read my door is ruined I am sick to my stomach over this!!

"and now I have read my door is ruined I am sick to my stomach over this!!"

Where did you read that? What product did he use?

I am curious also as my painter just used deck stain on my front door. Very dismayed as I thought I was just restaining the door which is an almost new replacement white oak door.

and now I have read my door is ruined I am sick to my stomach over this!!"

Where did you read that? What product did he use?

You basically told them that yourself. I'm curious how the door turned out also, because I'm in the middle of doing the same thing. I just came here in a search to find out whether I should also varnish over it, or if the Behr deck waterproofing and sealer stain product is sufficient.

If deck stain was a good product to use on doors don't you think that one of the companies that makes stain would advertise it as so? As in "Joe's Deck and Door Stain" These companies have marketing departments whose only mission is to sell more of their products, right.

Well, they sort of do. Lowes at least does.

https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/exterior-stain-buying-guide#:~:text=While%20many%20of%20these%20products,best%20for%20years%20to%20come.