Instructions for Cleaning Unfinished Exterior Wood Doors

Many buyers are not aware that new wood doors need to be sanded before finishing. New unpainted wood doors typically have handling marks, scuffs, and other imperfections that require light sanding before priming and painting for the best appearance. Avoid using water or household cleaners on unfinished wood to avoid expansion and adhesion problems.

Things You'll Need:

• Gloves


• Sandpaper (120 - 220 grit)


• Sanding block


• Orbital sander


• Saw horses


• Mineral spirits


• Lint-free rags


• Dust brush


• Oil-based primer, exterior grade

1. Allow the door to acclimate in a dry and conditioned space away from any extreme temperatures or humidity for 24 hours.


2. Hang the door and complete all necessary cutting and drilling before starting the cleaning and finishing process.


3. Remove the door from the frame if installed and place on saw horses. Leave the door on the frame only if it needs to be painted in one session quickly.


4. Remove all hardware and accessories from the door before cleaning.


5. Check the door for any damage or other imperfections that might need patching.


6. Wipe any oily areas using mineral spirits and allow to dry completely.


7. Sand the entire door going with the direction of the grain. Use the finest grade sandpaper possible to avoid visible sanding marks. Use course sandpaper only if necessary. Hand sanding with a block sander is preferable. Use an orbital sander only if the door is extremely scuffed or scratched.


8. Remove all loose sanding dust with a duster or shop vacuum.


9. Prime the door as soon as possible using an exterior grade oil-based primer. Water-based primers on wood doors can cause grain raise problems and should be avoided.