Hello everyone, quick question, every so often, I have to reapply finishes to the wooden door (oak ?) which faces the east and because of the sun and the heat, the wood keeps drying out. Is there a product or an ingrediant that I can mix together to apply to the door to keep it's natural sheen?

Thank you

Rick 

PS. I am a lifetime member but I have never taken advantage of this forum so, please forgive.

Rick what you need is a finish with a UV protection. Marine Spar Varnishes would be a good place to start. Actually, a good place to start would be to go to the New Members forum and introduce yourself, tell us a little about your skill levels, your location, etc. I'm sure others will be in through out the bext few days to voice their opinions as well.

Sun and heat damage to a door is something you have to live with.  There really is no surface covering or additive that will stop it.  The direct rays of the sun will fade and "bleach" the door.  The only solution is to block the direct sun light by installing a roof or awning over the doorway.  Another option would be a tree which, as it grows, it would block the sun from the door.  You can get rid of the heat in the same way.  You probably have a storm door to protect the door from the weather.  That's a good idea, but the storm door increases the heat by trapping it between the door and the storm door.  Don't get rid of the storm door.

Any stained and polyurethaned door has to be refinished every so many years because of sun damage.  Hopefully, using a storm door and shade, you can extend the time between refinishings to a period you can tolerate.  Stripping and painting the door is another solution but then you lose the beauty of the natural wood door.

 

Check out that site I just posted under Painting and Finishing on Polyurethane from the site at "This Old House". I think they addressed that subject.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/pho...84,00.html

If you do have a storm door.... If the storm has a screen try re-screening with a darker screen to block the sun. If the storm door has glass try tinting it like you would your car windows.

Exterior: Spar Urethane
Good for: Exterior doors, trim, and furniture. Contains UV absorbers that protect the finish and the wood from the sun's rays. Made with a special blend of oils and resins that allows it to flex as the wood surface expands and contracts. Recoat the finish when it turns dull, typically once a year. Available in gloss, semi-gloss, and satin, and in oil-based and water-based formulas.

Oil-based spar urethane
Apply with: synthetic-filament brush or a can of aerosol spray
Number of coats: three
Hours between coats: 4
VOCs: 450 grams per liter

Water-based spar urethane
Apply with: synthetic-filament brush or a can of aerosol spray
Number of coats: four
Hours between coats: 2
VOCs: 275 grams per liter