{"id":701,"date":"2019-03-25T10:50:17","date_gmt":"2019-03-25T10:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expressdoorsdirect.co.uk\/blog\/?p=701"},"modified":"2025-05-27T15:59:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T15:59:00","slug":"how-to-treat-pine-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expressdoorsdirect.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-treat-pine-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Treat Pine Doors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated on May 27th, 2025 at 03:59 pm<\/p>\n

Solid-wood doors typically employ one of two materials: oak and pine. Oak is slow-growing, and comes with a densely-packed grain that makes it inherently tough and heavy. Pine, on the other hand, is a soft wood that comes with a naturally swirling grain that can be made to look gorgeous with the application of the right finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out more about why pine is a great wood for doors<\/a> in our dedicated post. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we\u2019re going to take a closer look at pine, and, specifically, how to stain pine doors. Owners of pine doors<\/a> have several options when it comes to treatment. In each case, we\u2019ll need a smooth surface upon which to apply that treatment. That way those tiny bumps won\u2019t be accentuated by the glossy finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timber doors are sanded at factory level, but the journey to your front door can cause it to absorb a few bumps (and a little bit of moisture), which make for a slightly rougher surface. This can be sorted out by using a 100-grit sandpaper and a hand-block to smooth over the entire door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re going to be stripping an existing finish from the pine, then you\u2019ll need to ensure that any caustic chemicals are thoroughly removed from the timber before you get started. This can be done by applying a paint-stripper, scrubbing away the paint that comes loose and then neutralising the surface using either white spirit or water, depending on the sort of stripper you\u2019re using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will eliminate every trace of the paint and give you a fresh surface on which to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Stain Pine Doors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We\u2019re going to lay the door flat, either on the floor (if the hardware is not yet attached) or across a pair of sawhorses. You\u2019re going to apply your stain using a cotton cloth. Dip it in the tin and smother it across the timber. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve got a coat on, you\u2019ll need to wipe up the excess with a dry, clean cloth. Then you can wait for the finish to dry. There are plenty of different shades of stain available, so you shouldn\u2019t need to apply more than one coat. The stain should take around half-an-hour to dry, following which you can flip the door and stain the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pine can be hard to stain because its uneven grain structure, featuring both early wood and late wood, absorbs stain inconsistently. The varying densities cause irregular colour and blotchiness, making it challenging to achieve a uniform finish. Using a pre-stain conditioner can help improve stain absorption and achieve a more even appearance on pine wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a look at the tips in this video for a quick overview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n