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Woodworking Building a Home Design Dilemma

How to get my mahogany door to look like this? (Stain choice)

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi!

I have to choose a stain for my mahogany door, and I don't think I'll be able to be there to test it on the door itself.

I purchased the double door version of this exact unfinished door, and this is the color I want:

https://grandentrydoors.com/andalucia-8-lite-tdl-mahogany-single-entry-door/

I was handed a minwax booklet to figure out which stain to choose... I have stain sample cans but I can't source a small piece of mahogany to test them on so I have no idea what's going to get me close to this color. Is there another kind of wood I could test on that would be similar?

Featured Answer

aklogcabin

4 months ago

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

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Comments (14)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
The pics of the door in your post seems very close to what you want why not just do a clear coat
PRO
Norwood Architects
2 years ago
If the wood is already the color you would like then as Patricia Colwell said don't apply any stain at all and just have the door clear coated.
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PRO
Creative Design Cabinetry
2 years ago
If the door is mahogany, get a piece of mahogany to test the stain on.

We do not test stain colors on the actual cabinet doors for our projects.
KT_B
Original Author
2 years ago
@Patricia Colwell Consulting, @Norwood Architects The description of that photo says that it is stained, but it doesn't say what stain they used. That is the look I want. I'm afraid clear-coat-only mahogany will be really orange, which is a look I do not like at all.

@Creative Design Cabinetry Yes this is what I would like to do but I've searched all over and can't find a source for a piece of mahogany anywhere. Do you have any suggestions? I don't have a lot of time.
KT_B
Original Author
2 years ago
I found an instagram account with a bunch of photos that I really liked of our same door with stain identified as "special walnut" and I'm going to go with that. Thanks everyone!
nhb22
2 years ago
KT B - We used Minwax Dark Walnut on our mahogany porch hand railings, and Bona or Minmax Provencial on our front door. The color you seem to be going for looks like a more grayer color. Hoping Special Walnut will do it for you. We also considered that color.
millworkman
2 years ago
Minwax is an Interior Grade stain and not made for exterior use.
nhb22
2 years ago
Thank you! We used Helmsman Spar Urethane to cover the railings and protect the door...both of which are protected from the weather by porch overhangs. Also, we get very little sun in the front of the house where the railings and door are. Used the same formula's in previous home and the finish held up well for the 14 years we were there.
PRO
Creative Design Cabinetry
2 years ago
KT B, check out your local millwork companies.
jamiu
4 months ago
Hi, I have the exact same problem right now and saw that you went with special walnut. Could you send a picture how it turned out and if you're happy with it?
Kar Shav
last month
can you share your door with me too? I have to pick asap
jamiu
last month
We ended up using minwax weathered oak and I think it turned out well
Hannah Brown
8 days ago
Is this a mahogany door with weather oak stain?

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