Guidelines for Care of Architectural Millwork Doors

Upon delivery, inspect doors for any noticeable defects. Do not install or finish doors with defects.
Handle doors with clean hands or gloves to avoid oil stains.
When storing, lay flat without any twisting pressures. Protect both the top and bottom of doors with plywood or cardboard. Cover doors with plastic to protect from dust and light.
Do not store doors in damp areas. Storage area should be dry and well ventilated.
Do not store in high humidity conditions, such as freshly plastered buildings.

All machining of doors should be done before application of any sealer or finish. A door is not sealed if the installer trims the door after the painter has sealed it.
Excessive cutting for fitting or hardware will impair doors’ strength and life and limit warranty claims.
Operating door fitting clearance is 1/8” on the top, hinge side and lock side. Door bottom clearance is 3/8” to 3/4” depending on field conditions.
Select a fine tooth saw to avoid chipping. Ease all sharp edges with sandpaper to avoid splinters.
Doors between 80” and 90” should have three hinges. Use an additional hinge for every 30” of height or portion thereof. Some hollow core doors can have two hinges.
Exterior doors must have a projecting overhang and weather stripping for weather protection in order to be covered by this warranty.
Exterior doors are not intended to receive direct, sustained water.

Check panel alignment. Panels are loose and often move during handling. If this occurs, tap into place using a soft block and hammer.
Sand out or fill any blemishes. Sand with grain, using 150 grit paper.
Clean and dust thoroughly before finishing.

Seal doors with a good quality oil-based primer and no fewer than two coats of a solvent-based or latex resin-based paint.
Dark exterior colors should be avoided where exposure to hot sun is expected.
The warranty will be voided if the two faces of the door are finished in different colors or manners.
Proper sanding between coats enhances the quality of the finished job.
When finishing glass doors, be sure to cover putty by lapping paint onto the glass to insure a weather tight seal.

The first coat should be a stain-and-sealer, which will both color the door and seal the surface. Use a sealer that has an alkyd-resin base.
The second coat may be a solvent-borne (oil-base, alkyd resin-base, polyurethane resin-base) or water-borne (latex resin-base) clear finish.
After sealer, finish the door with at least two coats of clear finish.
Semi-gloss luster gives the best appearance.
Proper sanding between two coats enhances the quality of the finished job.
It is good practice to apply stains with the door in a horizontal position. This prevents the solvents from evaporating too quickly, which is a common cause of streaks caused by stains “setting up” before clean up can be completed.
Stains are not water proof and should not be used on exterior doors.

Proper finish and maintenance will greatly add to the life of the door.
All surfaces must be fully painted: front, back, sides, top and bottom. The warranty is void if all six surfaces are not sealed.

50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 1969-2019
QUALITY CUSTOM WOODWORK