Re-vamping old Front Door

[stevie m]

I have an old Mahogany Front door that has faded and now looks like patio furniture does when it has been left out over winter. It is in sound condition and i'd rather not paint it. Does anyone have any techniques in bringing it back to life. I'm not expecting it to look fantastic, but something like grain filler, stain and an oil or varnish that sort of thing.

[The Builder]

Take all the furniture off it and sand it back to clean timber. Flat surfaces are easy enough, but mouldings would have to be laboriously sanded by hand.
Certainly don't paint it. It'll be worth the effort.
Good luck Stevie

[stevie m]

Thank you Mr Builder,
Any suggestions on how I might finish it

[123everton]

Get it dipped, fill the joints, and restain it.
I've heard linseed oil is good for stopping it swelling too.

[theshedman]

Hi stevie m, I would give it a good sanding as The Builder says to bring it back to something like the original colour. After this fill in all cracks with a filler of similar colour to the wood, then give it a couple of coats of a good quality exterior stain to protect it. I always try to use oil based stains but they are becoming harder to come by these days. After sanding and cleaning it and before you put the stain on give it a wipe over with a tack cloth and that will pick up all the tiny bits of dust that will still be on it but you will not see until after you have stained by which time it's too late to do anything about. Tack cloths only cost a few pence but they can make a lot of difference to the finish.

[The Builder]

....... yes, my first thought was to have it dipped & stripped, but I'm not sure how the final colour would come out on a hardwood door.
Other than oil, a good product is Sikkens Filter 7. It won't flake and lift like polyurethanes. Use a CLEAR finish though, to let the natural colour come through. Stains can look very artificial.

[stevie m]

Appreciate everyones suggestions thanks