Also Includes: Door Finishing & WoodGraining Instructions

Also Includes: Door Finishing & WoodGraining Instructions

A Complete Guide to Wood Staining & Finishing

A Complete Guide to Wood Staining & Finishing

Getting StartedGetting StartedKeep These Suggestions in Mind:1. Always read the label! Follow all label directions

exactly to ensure a successful wood finishing project.Pay particular attention to all “DANGER andCAUTION” instructions.

2. Protect your work area by laying lined drop cloths,cardboard or plastic over the floor area.

3. Be sure the area is warm and dry and it has adequateventilation and good lighting.

Pre-Plan for a Successful Project.For best results haveeverything you need beforeyou start. The condition of thewood you are finishing willhelp you decide what materialsyou need to do the job, such asscrapers, brushes, sandpaper,stir sticks, etc.

New Bare WoodYou may prefer to stain thewood and apply a polyurethane,or you can simply apply thepolyurethane over the naturalwood.

Old Clear Finishes in GoodConditionA finish in good condition canbe covered with a fresh coat ofpolyurethane once the surfacehas been cleaned and properlysanded.

ZAR® Furniture Refinisher dissolves anyexisting varnish, lacquer or shellac finish,evens out scratches, removes dirt and oldwax and restores to the original surfacewithout harming the natural surfaceappearance.

Some polyurethane finishes do not adhereto shellac or lacquer surfaces. It is advisable to removethese finishes before recoating.

To determine finish type use a little nail polish removeron an inconspicuous spot. Nail polish remover willsoften shellac or lacquer.

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3

Using RemoversUsing RemoversFor factory pre-finished wood floors and paneling usemanufacturer’s recommended refinishing products.

WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint,you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURETO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCHAS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN.PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOIDEXPOSURE.Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator tocontrol lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPAvacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find outhow to protect yourself and your family by contactingthe National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead.

Old Paint or Finishes in Poor ConditionIf the finish has begun to peel and crack, or the finish is broken or chipped, remove completely to bare wood. Use a mechanical abrator or a paint and varnish remover.

Removing Old FinishesZAR® Paint and VarnishRemover is ideal for removingold finishes from vertical orhorizontal surfaces.Wearchemical resistant rubber glovesand safety glasses. Strippingprojects should be doneoutdoors in a shady,dry area.

Apply a liberal coat of ZAR® Paint & Varnish Remover.Allow from 5 to 25 minutes for the Remover to do thework. If after a gentle scraping you can’t remove thebottom layer of paint, apply an additional coat ofRemover over the Remover previously applied.Remember, let the Remover do the work for you. Scrapeoff the old, softened finish with a wide putty knife.

For safety,always scrape awayfrom you.Be careful not to gougethe wood. In hard-to-reach areas,an old toothbrush or steel woolwill be helpful.

Use Remover ProductsOutdoors.

If you must work indoorsbe sure to use a non-sparking fan andexhaust all vapors away from you.

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Surface PreparationSurface Preparation

UnfinishedBare Wood SurfacesKeep in mind,even “new”bare wood can be dirty.Remove all hardware,knobs, hinges, etc.Thesurface must be cleanand dry.

Remove all dirt,dust,grease,wax and fingerprints with acloth dampened with paintthinner. Allow the surfaceto dry.

Fill any holes, cracks orstaple marks with ZAR®

Wood Patch. Allow patchto dry and sand accordingto directions.

A Smooth FinishRequires A Smooth Start!Always sand in thedirection of the grain.Onflat surfaces,use longstraight strokes.Forrounded surfaces, such aslegs or knobs,be sure tosand in the direction of thegrain.Sanding against thegrain will scratch or scarthe wood surface whichmay show through on yourfinished piece.Do not over sand.This could fill the poresof the wood by polishing the surface and prevent properstain penetration.

Bare Wood: Sand thoroughly using successively finergrades of sandpaper up to 220 grit,until the surface feelssmooth to the touch.

Previously Finished Wood in Good Condition: Lightsanding with 220 grit sandpaper will help the wood stainor clear finish adhere. After sanding, remove all dust,using a tack cloth or a rag dampened with paint thinner and allow to dry.

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ZAR® Wood StainZAR® Wood Stain

Today’s furniture comes in a variety ofwoods, from hardwoods like Oak, tosofter woods like Aspen and Pine.Premium Quality ZAR® Oil-basedWood Stain will give youprofessional lookingresults on all types ofwoods.

ZAR® Wood Stain’sunique controlledpenetration full-bodiedformula allows you towork at your own pacewithout the fear ofstreaks or lap marks.

Do the “Drop Test”The ZAR® Wood Stain“Drop Test” is a perfect wayto show you how ZAR® isdifferent. Both wood chipsat the right show a drop ofstain that was allowed tostand on a piece of woodfor 15 minutes.When theZAR® Wood Stain, on theleft, was wiped out, therewas no evidence of thedrop or a blotch mark.However, thesample on theright shows howother stains leavea dark, blotchyspot where thedrop was initiallyplaced on thewood.

ZAR® Wood Stainis perfect forcabinets, paneling,antiques,woodtrim and all typesof wood furniture.

ZAR®

Wood StainZAR®

Wood StainOther

Wood StainOther

Wood Stain

PinePine

OakOak

MapleMaple

AspenAspen

Match Color Tone onDifferent Kinds of Woods.

Match Color Tone onDifferent Kinds of Woods.

Different Types of WoodsAbsorb Stain Differently.

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Selecting ZAR® Selecting ZAR®

ZAR® Wood Stain is available in 19 natural woodtones plus Country White. ZAR® wipes on likefurniture polish to stain and seal in one quick, easyapplication. ZAR’s “Controlled Penetration” assures auniform color tone without streaks or lap marks.

109 Colonial Pine 115 Modern Walnut

110 Salem Maple 116 Cherry

111 Walnut 117 Honey Maple

113 Fruitwood 118 Dark Mahogany

114 Provincial 120 Teak Natural

Oak

Pine

Oak

Pine

Oak

Pine

Oak

Pine

Oak

Pine

These chips have been reproduced as accurately as possible in process color lithography.

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Wood StainWood Stain

Remember Different Types of Woods AbsorbStains Differently. Softer woods absorb more stain than hardwoods.Themore stain that is absorbed into the wood, the darkerthe stain finish will become.

123 Moorish Teak 129 Aged Varnish

124 Rosewood 130 Driftwood

126 Chestnut 137 White Oak

127 Golden Oak 138 Spanish Oak

128 Early American 139 Country White

Oak

Pine

Oak

Pine

Oak

Pine

Oak

Pine

Oak

Pine

These chips have been reproduced as accurately as possible in process color lithography.

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Applying ZAR®Applying ZAR®

Softer woods, such as Aspen, Poplar, Lauan, Pine andFir absorb more stain than hardwoods.The more stainthat is absorbed into the wood, the darker the stainfinish will become.

Optional: It is good practice toseal soft open-grained woods orend grain with ZAR® Tung Oil

Wipe-On Finish or usea wood conditioner.Follow manufacturer’sdirections.

Optional: It is good practice toseal soft open-grained woods orend grain with ZAR® Tung Oil

Wipe-On Finish or usea wood conditioner.Follow manufacturer’sdirections.

Achieve professionalresults on hardwoodfloors, woodwork,

stairs and doors with ZAR®

Wood Stain.

Achieve professionalresults on hardwoodfloors, woodwork,

stairs and doors with ZAR®

Wood Stain.

After you have properly prepared the surface, ZAR®

Wood Stain can be applied. If you are looking for anunstained, natural wood finish, skip this section andproceed to the ZAR® Polyurethane Application section.

Test for Desired Colorof Wood Stain. Find an inconspicuous spoton your piece, such as thebottom and apply the stainwith a lint-free cloth.Wipeoff and allow wood stain todry 3 hours.

If a darker color is desired,sand lightly with finesandpaper, wipe clean, andapply a second coat.

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Wood StainWood Stain

DANGER: Rags, steel wool orwaste soaked with ZAR® WoodStain may spontaneously catch fireif improperly discarded. Immediatelyafter use, place rags, steel wool orwaste in a sealed water-filled metalcontainer.

Wipes on easily with a clothWipes on easily with a cloth

ApplyingPremiumQuality ZAR®

Oil-basedWood Stain.Stir ZAR® WoodStain thoroughlybefore andduringapplication. Usea clean lint-free cloth (like an old T-shirt), to wipe onZAR® Wood Stain in the direction of the grain.Thenusing another clean cloth, wipe off the excess. ZAR’s“Controlled Penetration” gives you plenty of time towipe out streaks and lap marks.The amount of stainyou wipe off will determine the final wood tone.

Suggestion: Do the hard to stain areas of your piecefirst, such as the table bottom, chair legs or othersimilar areas.

Allow to dry 3hours. If a darkercolor is desired,sand lightly withfine sandpaper,wipe clean andapply a secondcoat.

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ZAR® Finish SelectorZAR® Finish Selector

ZAR® Polyurethane Clear Wood Finishes offer premiumquality protection for wood from ring marks,waterstains,alcohol,household acids and alkalis.The finish youchoose depends on desired sheen level and how thewood is going to be used. All ZAR® Polyurethanes areself-leveling for a smooth even finish.

ZAR® Interior Oil-Based Polyurethane:Ideal for floors, tables, furniture, bartopsand surfaces subjected to hard use.Available in Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin andAntique Flat.“America’s Original Polyurethane”

ZAR® ULTRA Polyurethane: A superfast drying oil-based polyurethane.Driesin two hours on bare wood.Tough abra-sion resistant finish.Great for hardwoodfloors, cabinets, furniture and woodwork.Available in Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin, andAntique Flat.

ZAR® ULTRA MAX Waterborne Oil Modified Polyurethane features DualDrying Technology for a harder throughcure.Dries to the touch in 30 minutes -recoat in just 2 hours.Formulated forfloors,cabinets, furniture and woodwork.“Exotic Hardwood Approved”– Ideal foruse on Teak,Brazilian Walnut and otherexotic wood species. Available in Gloss,Semi-Gloss and Satin.Cleans up with soapand water.VOC compliant.

ZAR® Tung Oil Wipe-On Finish: Wipeson easily with a cloth. Ideal for interiorwood surfaces.A smooth, even finishevery time.Available in Semi-Gloss orSatin.

Aqua ZAR® Water-Based Polyurethane: Anenvironmentally safe, low odor,waterclean-up polyurethane formula designedfor interior use.Dries crystal clear.Available in Gloss,Semi-Gloss,Satin andAntique Flat.

More information about Aqua ZAR on page 13.

D R I E S H A R D E R F A S T E R

New!

ZAR® Exterior Oil-Based Polyurethane:Formulated exclusively for exterior woodsurfaces. Contains ultraviolet radiationabsorbers and anti-oxidants. Ideal forexterior doors, patio furniture, fences andsiding. Available in Gloss and Satin.

ZAR® Water-Based Exterior Polyurethane:Formulated exclusively for exterior woodsurfaces. Contains ultraviolet radiationabsorbers and anti-oxidants. Ideal for exte-rior wood surfaces, siding, gables, patio fur-niture and steel and fiberglass entry doors.Soap and water clean up.

ZAR® ULTRA Exterior Oil-BasedPolyurethane: A super fast drying clearwood polyurethane finish. Dries in twohours. Contains ultraviolet radiationabsorbers and anti-oxidants.Available inGloss and Satin.

Sanding SealerSanding sealer greatly enhances the beauty of wood.Though not a required step,sanding sealers are generallyused for fine wood finishing and for floor finishing.

A sanding sealer performs two functions:One function isto raise any remaining grain or fuzzy wood fibers whichmakes final sanding easier.The other function is to sealthe wood which allows even flow of subsequentpolyurethane top-coats resulting in a higher,moredurable, film-build.

ZAR® Quick Dry Sanding Sealer (For useunder oil-based polyurethane) is a fast dryingsanding sealer for interior wood floors,furniture,paneling,cabinets,countertops andwoodwork.Dries in one hour on bare wood.

Aqua ZAR® Interior Clear Water-BasedSanding Sealer (For use with water-basedpolyurethane) is an excellent stain/sandingsealer for use under Aqua ZAR® Water-BasedPolyurethane.Use it over bare wood to sealthe wood and maintain the natural beauty or

over light-colored stains. Aqua ZAR® Sanding Sealerprevents drawing naturally occurring tannins to thewood surface. Aqua ZAR® Sanding Sealer is formulatedto stop water extractable stains common with suchwoods as Red Oak and White Oak.

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ZAR® Finish SelectorZAR® Finish Selector

ZAR®Oil-BasePolyurethaneZAR®Oil-BasePolyurethane

Flows on evenly – Self-levelingFlows on evenly – Self-leveling

Never shake a clear finish. Shaking willproduce air bubbles which may gettrapped in your finish. If required, stirthe finish according to the labelinstructions.

If you are applying thepolyurethane over a woodstain, sand the stain lightly andremove all sanding dust with atack rag. Apply ZAR®

Polyurethane using a clean,high quality natural or nylonbristle brush. Dip the brushinto the can and let the excessdrip off.

Flow ZAR® on using long even strokes in thedirection of the grain. Do not over-brush the finish.ZAR® is self-leveling for a smooth even finish.

After applying the polyurethane, leave the room andclose the door. Foot traffic and air circulation may stirup dust in the room which may settle on your finish.Allow to dry 4-6 hours. Sand lightly between coats.Apply 2 coats. For floors apply 3 coats. Allow finalcoat to dry 12-14 hours.

Clean brushes and application toolsimmediately after use with UGL®

Fastrip® Brush Cleaner or paintthinner.

If you prefer an easy to use wipe onpolyurethane finish, use ZAR® TungOil Wipe-On Finish.

ZAR® Tung-Oil Wipe On Finish iseasily applied to spindles or flatwood surfaces with a cloth for asmooth and durable finish everytime.

Wipe on a liberal amount in thedirection of the grain. Allow to dry 6hours between coats.

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Aqua ZAR® PolyurethaneAqua ZAR® Polyurethane

Aqua ZAR® Water-Based Polyurethane isan environmentally safe, clear woodfinish specially formulated to protectand beautify cabinets, furniture, wallpaneling, woodwork and floors.“ExoticHardwoods Approved”–Ideal for use onTeak, Brazilian Walnut and other exoticwood species. Aqua ZAR® dries crystalclear, making it the ideal finish to useover light-colored or white stains.*

Aqua ZAR®’s full-bodiedformula brushes on likea conventionalpolyurethane giving ahigh film-build formaximum durabilityand beauty.

*Note: On woods containingtannins (water extractablestains), such as Red Oak,White Oak, Cedar, Redwoodor over a white stain, applyAqua ZAR® Interior ClearWater-Based Sanding Sealerprior to top coating withAqua ZAR®.This procedurewill prevent any tannins frombleeding through to thesurface.

Sand the woodthoroughly in thedirection of the grain.Donot use steel wool and besure to vacuum all dust.

Flow Aqua ZAR® on inthe direction of the grainusing a clean syntheticfiber or foam brush.Apply thin coats at the rate of 100-125 square feet perquart. Allow 2 hours drying between coats. Sand

lightly, vacuum all dust andapply a second coat. If whilesanding, sandpaper gums orsurface feels tacky, extenddrying times.

Brushes and tools clean upeasily with warm, soapy water.

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Wood surfaces exposed to direct sunlight for prolongedperiods should be protected with ZAR® ExteriorPolyurethane or ZAR® Exterior Water-BasedPolyurethane.

For wood surfaces protected by overhangs or porches,and on the inside surfaces of doors,apply PremiumQuality ZAR® Interior Polyurethane.

ZAR® ULTRA Exterior Oil-Based Polyurethane

ApplicationNever shake a clear finish. Shaking willproduce air bubbles which may get trapped in yourfinish. If required,stir the finish according to the labelinstructions.

Apply ZAR® Exterior Polyurethane using a clean,naturalbristle brush.Dip the brush into the can and let theexcess drip off.Flow ZAR® on using long even strokes inthe direction of the grain.Do not over-brush the finish.ZAR® is self-leveling for a smooth even finish. Allow 2hours drying between coats.Sand lightly, remove all dustwith a tack cloth and apply a second coat. Allow finalcoat to dry 4-6 hours. Apply 3 coats.Clean brushesimmediately with UGL® Fastrip® Brush Cleaner orpaint thinner.

ZAR® Exterior Water-Based Polyurethane

ApplicationNever shake a clear finish. Shaking will pro-duce air bubbles which may get trapped in your finish. Ifrequired,stir the finish according to the label instructions.

Apply ZAR® Exterior Water-Based Polyurethane usinga foam brush or a synthetic bristle brush. Dip the

brush into the can and let the excess drip off. FlowZAR® on using long even strokes in the direction ofthe grain. Do not over-brush the finish. ZAR® is self-leveling for a smooth even finish. Allow 2 hours dryingbetween coats. Sand lightly, vacuum all dust and applya second coat. On exterior wooden surfaces apply 3-4coats. ZAR® Exterior Water-Based Polyurethane cleans

up easily with warm, soapy water.

ZAR® Exterior FinishesZAR® Exterior Finishes

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ZAR® on DoorsZAR® on Doors

Please Note: The stain application directions in thisbrochure may differ from the instructions on thelabel of the ZAR® wood finishing product you areusing. Please follow the directions in this brochuresince they specifically refer to finishing doors.

ZAR® is Good for More Than Just Wood!Typically, when you think about a wood stain, theidea of finishing a bookcase, desk or some otherpiece of wooden furniture probably comes to mind.You may have never considered using a wood stain tofinish a door, particularly if your door is made of steel,fiberglass or Masonite®.Well think again, ZAR® WoodStain and ZAR® Polyurethanes give those surfaces therich, beautiful look of wood.ZAR® is ideally suited for all types of doors becauseof its heavier consistency, higher pigment levels andexcellent adhesion characteristics.ZAR® Wood Stain andPolyurethanes have been usedsuccessfully on doors made byleading door manufacturers, suchas Jeld-Wen,Therma-Tru, Pease,Peachtree,Taylor, Perma-Door,Masonite®, Crest and others. So,when you want to beautify anytype of new door – or improve thelook of an older door – ZAR® is for you.

Steel door grained withZAR® Wood Stain

Steel door grained withZAR® Wood Stain

Fiberglass door finishedwith ZAR® Wood StainFiberglass door finishedwith ZAR® Wood Stain

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ZAR® on DoorsZAR® on Doors

The Correct ProcedureFollow the staining procedure diagram below.Work onone section of the door at a time.The numberscorrespond to the order in which you should work.The arrows indicate the direction of the grain for eacharea of the door.The grain is obvious on embossedwood-grained doors. Here is how to proceed:

1. Stain the inside panels first.

2. Next, work on the inside vertical boards betweenthe panels.

3. Then, work on the inside horizontal boards.

4. The outside vertical boards are the last areas onthe face of the door to be stained. It is importantto take special care where horizontal and verticalmembers join. On steel doors, it is your job tomake the joints look as natural as possible. It isnot hard, but you must exercise care.

5. Finally, stain the door edges. Follow the sameprocedure when you apply the clear finish.Allowthe whole project to dry thoroughly and startenjoying your door.

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Using the Graining ToolUsing the Graining Tool

Practice using the Graining Tool on a scrap pieceof painted metal or wood or use a panel on thedoor and simply wipe off the stain repeatedlyuntil you learn the technique.The tool head isrotatable to achieve different graining patterns.

Heartwood Grain: Stir ZAR®

Wood Stain thoroughly. Begin onthe inside of panel (1) accordingto the Staining ProcedureDiagram.Wipe on a thin, uniformcoat of ZAR® Wood Stain.

While exerting downwardpressure with your index finger,(2.5 - 3 lbs.), draw the grainingtool down the section, movingthe tool at a constant speed.While drawing the graining tooltowards you, slowly rock itdown and up to create a naturalheartwood appearance.Remember not to stop the toolwhile pulling a grain.

If you make a mistake, don’tworry. Simply take your staincloth, wipe wood stain over thearea and grain it again. Orcompletely wipe off what youhave applied with a clothdampened with paint thinner ormineral spirits and start over.

Important:Occasionallywipe off theface of thegraining tool toprevent thegrain patternon the face ofthe tool from clogging.

Heartwood GrainHeartwood Grain Vein/Straight GrainVein/Straight Grain Quarter Sawn GrainQuarter Sawn Grain

Exert downward pressureExert downward pressure

While drawing toward youWhile drawing toward you

Slowly rock down ...Slowly rock down ...

Then up, consistently,Then up, consistently,

until section is complete.until section is complete.

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ZAR® on Steel DoorsZAR® on Steel Doors

Staining Steel DoorsZAR® Wood Stain and the ZAR® Graining Tool areperfect for giving primed steel or painted doors therich look of wood. ZAR® Wood Stain’s special highpigment formula makes it ideal for wood graining.

Note: Certain steel doors, such as Taylor, Crest Metaland Perma-Door® have a grain embossed in them. Forembossed door surfaces refer to Staining EmbossedGrain Surfaces, page 21, of this brochure.

Surface PreparationSteel doors come already primed and are usually gray,buff orwhite.Whatever the door color,the procedure is the same.

For best results, lay the door onpadded sawhorses.Remove allhardware.Clean all dirt,dust andgreasy stains with a clothdampened with paint thinner ormineral spirits.

Wood graining is completedusing 2 steps.First you apply agrain coat.Once the grain coat isdry,you then apply a tone coatfor the rich look of wood.

Applying the Grain CoatFollow the Staining ProcedureDiagram on page 16.This willhelp you achieve beautiful results with the leastamount of time and effort.

Stir ZAR® Wood Stainthoroughly before andduring application. Beforegraining, wipe on a thin,uniform coat of ZAR®

Wood Stain using a lint-free cloth or foam brush.Next use the graining toolto create a wood grainpattern.

For doors previously painted with adark color paint or for a more naturalwood appearance, apply a buffcolored (light tan) prime coat. Allowprime coat to dry thoroughly.

For doors previously painted with adark color paint or for a more naturalwood appearance, apply a buffcolored (light tan) prime coat. Allowprime coat to dry thoroughly.

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ZAR® on Steel DoorsZAR® on Steel Doors

Steel door grained withZAR® Wood Stain

Steel door grained withZAR® Wood Stain

You can control thedarkness of the doorfinishing project by theamount of stain you apply.A thin coat will revealmore of the grain pattern.A heavier coat will hide it.

Allow this coat to dry for48 hours, depending ondrying conditions, beforeapplying the polyurethane.

Refer to Clear Finish onDoors page 23.

When you grain a steeldoor, work on one sectionof the door at a time.

In tight corners where thegraining tool can not reach,use a dry brush orcheesecloth to simulate awood grain look.

Once you have the grainedlook you want, allow the door to dry for 24 hours orlonger depending on drying conditions.

Applying the Tone CoatStir ZAR® Wood Stainthoroughly before andduring application.Wipe onanother thin, uniform coatof the same color ZAR®

Wood Stain in the directionof the grain pattern youcreated.This is the tonecoat and will give the doorthe rich look of wood. (Donot sand between coats,sanding will damage thesimulated grain pattern.)

Use a dry brush to gentlyfeather out streaks and lap marks.

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Steel door grained withZAR® Wood Stain

Steel door grained withZAR® Wood Stain

Apply ZAR®

Polyurethane to grained steel door

Apply ZAR®

Polyurethane to grained steel door

Protect Steel DoorsProtect Steel Doors

Protect Your Steel Door withZAR® Polyurethane.To protect the wood stain and give yoursteel door a pleasant wood glow, applyZAR® Polyurethane Clear Wood Finish.

For doors protected by overhangs orporches, and on the inside of doors, apply PremiumQuality ZAR® Interior Polyurethane.

Doors exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periodsshould be protected with ZAR® Exterior Polyurethaneor ZAR® Exterior Water-Based Polyurethane.

The Staining Procedure Diagramon page 16 is a useful guide forapplying a polyurethane.

Surface must be clean and freefrom dirt and dust.Wood stainmust be thoroughly dry beforetop-coating with a polyurethane.

Use a quality natural or synthet-ic bristle brush, depending onthe type of clear finish youchoose. Dip the brush in thecan and let excess drip off.Apply a thin, uniform coat byflowing ZAR® on in the direction of the grain pattern.Do not brush the finish back and forth; doing so maycreate bubbles in the finish.

For interior door surfaces,apply 2 coats of ZAR®

Interior Polyurethane, forexterior door surfacesapply 3 coats of ZAR®

Exterior Polyurethane.Allow 6 hours drying timebetween coats for interiorpolyurethane and 18 hoursbetween coats for exteriorpolyurethanes. Sand lightlybetween coats making surenot to cut through thepolyurethane finish to thestained surface.Allow todry according to labelinstructions.

Staining Embossed Grain SurfacesYou can work with the door mounted in place orremoved from its hinges. Lay the door on paddedsawhorses. Mask the glass adjacent to all windowmouldings and remove all hardware. Clean dirt, dustand greasy stainswith a clothdampened withpaint thinner andallow to dry.

ApplicationStep 1: Stir ZAR®

Wood Stain thoroughly. Followthe Staining Procedure Diagramon page 16. Apply using a foambrush or lint-free cloth in acircular motion (like you applyshoe polish), working the staininto the embossed grain pattern.

Step 2: Next, use your staincloth or foam brush to smooththe stain in the direction of thegrain. Do not wipe off excessstain.

“Stain and Feather”Working on the same area you just stained, use aclean, soft paintbrush to gently feather-out any streaks

or lap marks. Be sure to featherthe corners where the staintends to pool. Occasionallyremove the excess stain fromthe brush bristles with a cleancloth.

Note: Repeat Steps 1 and 2following the Staining Procedure Diagram on page 16.Remember:“Stain and Feather.”

If a darker color tone is desired, wait 48 hours andapply a second coat, once again following the StainingProcedure Diagram. Remember “Stain and Feather.”(Do not sand between coats. Sanding can damageMasonite® or fiberglass surfaces.) Allow to dry 24 to48 hours, depending on drying conditions, beforeapplying the polyurethane.

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Wood Grained Embossed Door

“Stain & Feather”Wood Grained Embossed Door

“Stain & Feather”

Wood Grained Embossed Door

Squeegee TechniqueWood Grained Embossed Door

Squeegee Technique

Staining Composite Fiber Doors and EmbossedDoor SurfacesAn option to the one-coat “Stain and Feather”method, isthe use of a small window squeegee to force the woodstain into the wood grained embossed pattern of thedoor.The squeegee technique greatly enhances the graindefinition in the door.

Lay the door on padded sawhorses.Mask the glass and remove hardware.Clean all dirt,dust and grease with acloth dampened with paint thinnerand allow to dry.

ApplicationNOTE: On Composite Fiber Doors thefront,back,and edges must be finishedto ensure proper protection.

Step 1: Stir ZAR® Wood Stainthoroughly.Follow the StainingProcedure Diagram on page 16.ApplyZAR® Wood Stain using a foam brushin the direction of the grain.

Step 2: Next,use a squeegee toremove excess stain forcing the staininto the embossed areas of the door inthe direction the grain.Occasionallyremove the excess stain from thesqueegee's edge with a clean cloth.Working the same area you have juststained and squeegeed,use a clean,soft paint brush to gently feather-outany streaks or lap marks.Be sure tofeather the corners where the staintends to pool.Occasionally remove theexcess stain from the feathering brushbristles with a clean cloth.

Step 3: Once the first coat of stain issqueegeed into the grain let the doordry for 12 hours.Next,apply the tonecoat of ZAR® Wood Stain with a foambrush or cloth in the direction of theembossed grain.Remember,a littlestain goes a long way.Work the tonecoat of stain in the direction of thegrain pattern with your foam brush.

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23

Clear Finish on DoorsClear Finish on Doors

A thin coat of stainwill reveal more ofthe grain pattern aheavy coat will hideit.Use a dry soft paintbrush to feather outany streaks or lapmarks.

Allow to dry24 to 48 hours,depending on dryingconditions,beforeapplying ZAR® polyurethane.

ZAR® ULTRA InteriorPolyurethane,ZAR®

Interior and ExteriorPolyurethane are available

in spray formulas.

ZAR® ULTRA InteriorPolyurethane,ZAR®

Interior and ExteriorPolyurethane are available

in spray formulas.

Protect Your Fiberglass,Masonite, CompositeFiber or Embossed SteelDoor with ZAR®

Polyurethane.To protect the wood stainand give your door apleasant wood glow,applyZAR® Polyurethane ClearWood Finish.

For doors protected byoverhangs or porches,andon the inside of doors,applyPremium Quality ZAR®

Interior Polyurethane.

Doors exposed to direct sun-light for prolonged periodsshould be protected withZAR® Exterior Polyurethaneor ZAR® Exterior Water-based Polyurethane.Followlabel instructions.

The Staining Procedure Diagram onpage 16 is a useful guide for applying apolyurethane.

Surface must be clean and free fromdirt and dust.Wood stain must bethoroughly dry before top-coatingwith a polyurethane.

Dark Color Tone/Light Color ToneDark Color Tone/Light Color Tone

® UNITED GILSONITE LABORATORIESSCRANTON, PA • JACKSONVILLE, IL • JACKSON, MS • DAYTON, NV

®

Order No. 514 40 www.ugl.com LR 306

Use a quality natural orsynthetic bristle brush,depending on the clear finish.Dip the brush in the can andlet excess drip off. Apply athin,uniform coat by flowingZAR® on in the direction ofthe grain pattern. Avoidbrushing the finish back andforth;doing so may createbubbles in the finish.

When using ZAR® InteriorPolyurethane,apply 2 coatson interior doors surfaces.Allow to dry 6 hours betweencoats.

When using ZAR® Exterior Polyurethane apply 3 coatson exterior door surfaces. Allow to dry 18–24 hoursbetween coats.

Allow final polyurethane coat to dry 24 to 72 hours,depending on drying conditions,before using the door.

Apply ZAR®

Polyurethane to grained steel door

Apply ZAR®

Polyurethane to grained steel door

Clear Finish on DoorsClear Finish on Doors

Exterior Doors Care and Maintenance - Inspect Yearly.

Wipe the door using paint thinner or mineral spirits toremove any surface contaminants.

Repair scratches or dings using a cotton swab dampened withZAR Wood Stain.Dab the cotton swab on a clean cloth beforetouching-up the door to remove excess stain. Then use aclean soft paint brush to feather the repair. Protect the stainwith ZAR Polyurethane.

Determine if polyurethane needs repair:

1.Look directly at the door, then view from an angle off tothe side. If no visible discoloration,breakdown or dulling ofthe polyurethane is noticed. Inspect again in 6 months.

2. If,when looking directly at the door it is satisfactory,however,when viewed from an angle the door appears dullor has a slight white or milky discoloration,buff lightly using#0000 steel wool to assure proper adhesion of thepolyurethane, tack and apply a coat of ZAR ExteriorPolyurethane.Be sure to buff lightly to avoid damagingfiberglass or masonite door surface.

3. If you see a milky white cast when looking directly at thedoor or if the polyurethane is cracked or peeling,you muststrip off the old finish using a remover.Reprime the surface ifnecessary (metal or primed doors), stain and apply ZARExterior Polyurethane.