Staining unfinished mahogany front doors

6 years ago

Hi! I recently purchased an Alexandria mahogany front door from DSA doors and looking for advise on finishing it. I have seen several pictures of the that door with a very natural lighter wood finish and I am trying to achieve this look. One store recommended Minwax® Helmsman® Spar Urethane clear matte but the door wood sample came out dark with red tones. I have read several Instagram comments that mention a clear matte finish. I have only found one interior clear water-based matte finish. Not sure if this is what they are using even on a exterior door. Others have mentioned using a stain called "special walnut" to help tone the red undertone. I would consider this but still hoping to go as light as possible. I have included pictures of what I am try to achieve with my door. Any help on recommend brands of stains or finishes and/or tints would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Featured Answer

Rae VP
Original Author

5 years ago

Hi! I used General Finishes Water Based Topcoat Exterior 450 Flat. No tint. It came out beautiful and very similar to the pictures I posted above. I do not have any current pictures with the door installed and the project is just wrapping up. I will take some this week and post for you to see the finished door.

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Comments (20)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
I never understand why people do not order doors with a factory finish . Mahogany is a red toned wood so honestly those pics you show are not going to happen and really what was the reason for mahogany if now you want it to look like something else.
meghiggs
5 years ago
Hi! We just bought the same door and are having the same problem. Did you figure out a color?
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meghiggs
5 years ago
That’s awesome to hear! Thank you! I have to figure out my color this week, so I’m excited to see your pics!
Rae VP
Original Author
5 years ago
Found some pics when door got installed. Still doesn’t have its permanent handle yet- hopeful soon!
meghiggs
5 years ago
Thank you!!! Looks great!
Tanja Lucovic
4 years ago
Hello Rae VP, I love the look and finish of your door.
Did you apply anything else to seal or protect it or just coated it with the general finished water based topcoat exterior 450 flat? If so, how many coats did you apply?
I have a raw mahogany front door and I love the look of how it looks even before staining it. Hopefully I can keep the natural wood look with your recommendation.

Thanks for your help in advance!
tracy singer
last year
Hello Rae VP, Jsut followirng up to see your answer to the above question. I plan to do the same thing with a DSA door. Your door came out beautiful! Thank you!
romoguy15
last year
@tracy singer @Tanja Lucovic

Wanted To share that I just used the same type of sealer on my mahogany doors and it turned out fantastic. No stain, just the suggested General Finishes Water Based Topcoat Exterior 450 Flat
dan1888
last year
General Finishes products are miles better than Minwax.
PRO
Dobbins Builders, LLC
last year
Romoguy15
Is the picture you posted above your mahogany double doors after you put the General Finishes Topcoat 450 in flat finish?
If do, how many coats did you put on the doors?
They are beautiful!!
romoguy15
last year
Hey @Dobbins Builders, LLC yes, this is just the first coat. We are doing the second coat today and will post pictures soon!
romoguy15
last year
Here is the final after we did 3 coats.
Bryan
last year
@romoguy15 I love this look! I'm assuming you sanded the doors first? What grit? Just curious of your process so I can duplicate it! Thanks!
romoguy15
last year
Hey @Bryan, for the first sanding, I did 120, then sanded to 220, then put first coat. Then second sanding was 220, then second coat. Final sanding was 220 then 3rd coat.
Bryan
last year
Thanks!!
allisonbhays
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
@romoguy15 This is great information. I am running into the same issue. After the 3rd coat what did you use as a sealer
romoguy15
2 months ago
Hey @allisonbhays , the general finishes is the sealer. We did not put any stain whatsoever. The 3 coats of general finishes is the sealer
romoguy15
2 months ago
Hey @allisonbhays, the general finishes we used is the sealer. That's the 3 coats
allisonbhays
2 months ago
@romoguy15, thank you so much for your help and clarifying this. I greatly appreciate it.