Our Process

Our process begins with a complete masking of the work area. Anything that isn’t getting refinished is covered with tape and paper to protect from overspray and harsh chemicals. Once the work area is protected, we use a chemical stripping agent to remove all of the old, dead finish. The door then receives a thorough sanding to remove weathering, scratches, and any other imperfections. Next, we find the right stain to match your color preference, followed by one coat of clear sealer. The products we use are designed to maintain their appearance and protect the wood from harsh UV rays and other environmental factors. After the first coat of sealer, we’ll give the door an additional light sanding to insure that the finish is smooth to the touch, then we tone where needed to even out the color. Finally, the door receives a minimum of two topcoats to ensure the integrity of the finish.

We use Milesi products for every project because they look great and they’re incredibly resilient. The first line of defense is an impregnator stain, which acts as a biocide to prevent decay of the wood surface from fungus, algae, mold, and insects. Subsequently, we apply multiple coats of waterborne finish, which has UV inhibitors to protect against the sun. Additionally, Milesi’s coating is micro porous, allowing internal moisture pressure to escape through the coating rather than cracking or lifting the coating. Our topcoat has a satin sheen, which hides imperfections better than a high gloss.

We are usually able to match the exterior to its original color or to that of the interior if that’s your preference. If you want something different, we can do that too! We can mix stains to get just about any wood tone. We’re limited only by the type of wood and the amount of damage sustained from the elements.

Most jobs can be completed in a total of two days: masking and stripping on the first day, sanding, staining, and finishing on the second. However, if it’s a larger door or if there’s bad weather, it is possible that it may take longer.

We use high quality products, but no finish is indestructible. If neglected, in time your door could become as dry and cracked as before. To prevent this, we recommend a maintenance recoat every eighteen months, depending on the level of sun exposure your door receives. At which time we’ll clean the door, lightly sand to remove weathering, tone to preserve the color, and recoat your door to ensure the longevity of the finish. Maintenance recoats are typically 40% of the initial cost of refinishing, allowing for market fluctuations. We’ll send you an email notification when it’s time so you don’t have to worry about keeping up with it.