How to Urethane a Cedar Screen Door

Screen doors can take a lot of abuse. They're exposed to the effects of weather and sunlight, and they get a lot of use if they're placed in a heavily trafficked doorway. Cedar screen doors are well-suited to handle the demands placed on them, since cedar is sturdy and mold-resistant. However, it can still stand a little help. A coating of urethane will add an extra level of protection to the finish of the wood, and let it serve a long and useful life in your doorway.

Screwdriver
Sawhorses
Rag
120-grit sandpaper
Sanding block
Tack cloth
Urethane finish
Paint stirrer
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the screws on the hinges of the door, and take down the door. Place the door on a set of sawhorses. Wipe the door with a damp rag to remove any loose dust or dirt. Let the door dry.
- 2
  Wrap a piece of 120-grit sandpaper around a sanding block and sand the exposed wood of the cedar screen door. Use a smaller piece of sandpaper without the block to sand corners and tight spots. Sand until smooth, then wipe the door with a tack cloth to remove the excess dust once the door has been sanded. Turn the door over and sand the other side.
- 3
  Open the can of urethane finish and stir the urethane thoroughly with a paint stirrer. Apply the urethane to the cedar door with a paintbrush, starting at one end of the door and applying the strokes in one direction as you go.
- 4
  Let the urethane dry completely. Generally, this takes three to five hours. Turn the door over and apply urethane to the other side.

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