How to Stain or Paint a Non-Wood Door to Look Rustic

Graining a Flat Surface Door

• 1

  Remove the door from the hinges and lay it horizontally across sawhorses with the side you wish to grain facing up. Remove all hardware and set it aside. Use mineral spirits and a lint-free cloth to clean the exposed surface.

• 2

  Apply a thin coat of yellow orcher paint to the door's surface. Clean up any drips or puddles as you go, but don't worry about even coverage. Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding.

• 3

  Spread a thin coat of gel stain with a lint-free cloth to the smallest raised area on the door. Take the graining tool and run it slowly across the surface, rocking it back and forth and varying the pressure. Wipe your graining tool clean after each pass. Use the dry paintbrush to clean up excess stain in any areas that can't be reached with the graining tool. Repeat for all small sections of door, then move to the larger, longer sections. Grain the longest sections last. Allow gel stain to dry overnight.

• 4

  Apply an even, thin coat of gel stain to all parts of the door using a lint-free cloth. Start with the smaller sections and work toward the larger sections. Work the stain onto the door in the direction of your simulated grain. Use a dry brush to clean up any excess that puddles. Allow the door to dry 24 hours.

• 5

  Apply a coat of polyurethane to the door's surface using a paintbrush. Paint it on in the direction of the simulated grain, being careful not to let it puddle. Choose an interior polyurethane for a door surface that will be inside or an exterior polyurethane for a door surface that will be facing outside. Leave the door to cure, according to the directions on the polyurethane can.

Staining a Stamped Woodgrain Door

• 6

  Remove the door from its hinges and place it on a pair of sawhorses with the side to be stained facing up. Remove all hardware and set it aside. Clean the door using mineral spirits and a lint-free rag. Allow the surface to dry.

• 7

  Apply a thin coat of yellow ocher paint to the surface of the door using a paintbrush. Clean up any drips or puddles, but do not worry about making sure the coat is even. Allow this coat to dry to the touch before proceeding.

• 8

  Rub a gel wood stain into the surface of the door with the lint-free cloth using a circular motion and slight downward pressure. Begin in the smallest areas of the door and move out to the larger sections. Wipe each section with a lint-free cloth in the direction of the stamped wood grain as soon as the gel is applied to achieve an even coat. Use a dry brush to clean up any excess stain. Allow to dry 24 hours.

• 9

  Apply a polyurethane coat to the door to protect the stain. Using a paintbrush, cover the door evenly and clean up any puddling as you work. Allow the polyurethane coat to cure before reattaching the door's hardware.