How to Refinish Residential Fiberglass Doors

Remove the door from the hinges, starting with the bottom hinge and working up to the top hinge. Have someone assist you if possible. Lay the door across two sawhorses. Remove the hardware from the door including the hinges, locks doorknobs and any weather stripping. Set these parts aside if you want to use them again.

Cover any glass in the door with blue painter’s tape to protect the surface as you work. Alternatively, cover the glass with plastic and use painter’s tape to secure the edges.

Apply a citrus-based chemical stripper to the door with a paintbrush to remove the old finish. Allow it to sit on the door according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Scrape the stripper off using a plastic putty knife. Citrus-based strippers and plastic putty knives are less likely to damage the fibreglass surface. Rinse the door thoroughly.

Wash the door first with dish soap, water and a rag. Rinse and dry. Follow with mineral spirits on a rag to remove any excess residue.

Dip a clean rag into a can of oil-based gel stain. Rub the stain into the door in a circular motion until it is completely covered.

Drag a bristle paintbrush across the stain surface to pick up excess stain and create a grain-like look to the finish so it resembles wood. Run the paintbrush in the same direction with each stroke and apply pressure to the brush so the bristles fan out. This helps spread the stain.

Leave the stain to dry for at least two hours, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Brush on a polyurethane topcoat using a paintbrush. Apply the polyurethane over the stain’s grain following the grain pattern you created. Use a light hand when applying the topcoat. Allow the polyurethane to dry to the touch, then apply two more coats.

Leave the polyurethane to dry for eight hours. Turn the door over and finish the other side.

Install your door’s hardware and rehang the door.