I cannot in good conscience recommend Lowes or any box store for windows ad or exterior doors. Thermatru is a good midrange door and I would check a local lumberyard or building supply house.

This is a really good idea that I had never heard before. But it makes perfect sense. Clear paint! Why didn't I think of that? Basically, a coat of clear acrylic. There are clear bases and white bases. Be sure you ask for the proper one. The the more vivid colors like red take a clear base. That's part of why they take more coats to cover. Even the deepest base might dry a bit translucent though. Because you're trying so hard to color match, it's worth buying a quart can and giving it a test on an out of the war spot. HD might sell you one of those little tester bottles full since they use it for mixing samples. Let us know how it turns out. If it you don't love the look you could put on a couple coats of a satin finish spar varnish. Boring. It's pretty durable for weatherproofing, but where's the manly adventure??? ~;o)

Vinmarks. Yes you can use minwax stain with the marine varnish. Actually I used minwax exclusively when I was running my custom woodworking shop. Because it is made using both dyes and pigments it will go on really nicely and not give you a blotchy finish. As a stain alone it is not waterproof. If I didn't spray the stain on I typically used a foam brush and paper towels to wipe off the excess stain. A lot of folks will use a cotton shirt or similar but I found that the cloth would leave fibers stuck in the woodgrain. I'm refinishing the oak kitchen cabinets in our daughter's home for a Christmas present for her. Very easy. Wash with warm soapy water and dry good. Then use minwax stain mixed into Deft brand laquer. I will probably use a foam brush to apply the laquer. But will probably use a paper towel on some parts like drawer sides. Hopefully this will help some

If it is minwax, it looks like fruit wood color. When I had my custom woodworking shop I always used minwax brand. I felt it was the best because it has both dies and pigments in it. Stain does not seal the wood. You will need a topcoat. As noted spar varnish is very good. I personally would use varathane brand topcoat. It's very easy to use