Top 6 Best Finish for Exterior Mahogany Door (Expert’s Review 2022)

Mahogany doors are extremely durable doors that many homeowners love using as their home’s exterior doors. Mahogany wood, itself, has a high degree of strength and decay resistance, which is why it’s preferred over other wood types for exterior doors.

While mahogany wood doors usually last for several years, refinishing them will further boost their lifespan and repair some parts damaged by UV rays and other weather elements. During summertime, exterior mahogany doors get exposed to extreme UV light, heat, and moisture. And unless the door is coated with some finish, it will begin to crack and fade.

How do you protect your exterior mahogany door from fading or cracking? You need to apply the best finish. Here, we will discuss the best finish for exterior mahogany doors.

Why Do You Need the Best Finish for Exterior Mahogany Door?

Choose from our top 3 Picks

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Many people love to use a door that would last for several years. Over time, mahogany doors crack and fade. This is to be expected since these doors are constantly exposed to weather elements, especially when used outdoors. To prevent the door from cracking and fading, you need to refinish the door with a suitable product.

Refinishing mahogany doors will not only make the door durable but add more beauty to it. It’s a maintenance practice that will keep your door looking great and cut down costs of buying new doors.

Reviews of the Best Finish for Exterior Mahogany Door

1. Aqua Coat Clear Lacquer Water-Based Wood Finish – Best Overall

This water-based clear lacquer product ranks top of this review because of its features and quality finishing feel. This water-based lacquer is made from acrylic emulsion polymer that offers incredible durability and resistance capability. When applied, the product creates a protective coat that makes it unsusceptible to wear.

Due to its durability, the product is scratch-resistant. The premium-grade wood lacquer results in a clear and smooth finish when applied. Also, the product has a self-leveling property.

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This means fewer bubbles are created during the application, regardless of the application method used. Thanks to the Aqua Coat Clear fast-drying formula, you don’t need to wait a whole day before using the door.

Verdict

Aqua Coat Clear Lacquer is an outstanding finish that will leave you with unbelievable results. It’s highly durable and requires two coats to seal the wood permanently.

2. General Finishes Oil-Base Gel Stain Georgian Cherry – Best Oil-Based Stain

General Finishes Oil-Base Gel Stain Georgian Gel is a durable finish that will prolong the lifespan of your mahogany door. The stain changes the color of your wood into something much nicer than the previous color.

This stain product penetrates the wood when applied but not as deep as other oil-base stains do. The finish leaves off a lustrous finish on your mahogany door, making it look even more adorable.

The stain is thick and creates a protective film coat on your mahogany door. Additionally, the stain creates an even, durable finish and dries relatively fast. These make the product a remarkable choice for use.

If you don’t plan to sand in between coats, you should consider getting this product. Since you don’t need to sand in between, you’ll finish faster without any compromises.

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One of the best things about the stain product is that it’s easy to use. You don’t need any professional help to use the stains, as it works well with a brush and foam. Plus, it doesn’t require any thinning, making it a superb choice for use.

Verdict

If you want to change the outlook of your mahogany door, this is the best stain finish for that. It’s comfortable to use and dries into a super-rich brown color. With fewer efforts, you’ll achieve an amazing result with the stain.

3. Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain – Best Value for Money

If you’re looking for a product that’s both a wood stain and sealer, this waterproofing stain product is for you. This solid stain product offers your exterior mahogany door optimal protection against water damage and mildew. With its advanced polymers, the product prevents fade and ensures your door stays beautiful and protected for years to come.

Thompson’s WaterSeal wood stain product comes in various colors with the improved formula designed to dry quickly. One of the things we like about the product is it spreads evenly during application. It doesn’t create a muddy appearance and leaves an adorable tacky finish.

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Another thing we like about the product is its ease of use. The product is easy to apply, and best of all, it includes an instruction guide to put you through on how to use the product effectively.

Verdict

Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain is a great deal, considering that it’s both a wood stain and a sealer. The finish dries into a beautiful color and requires a few coats for the best result.

4. Ready Seal 530 Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood – Best for Ease of Application

Ready Seal 530 Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood is another great option if you’re looking for a product with 2-in-1 functionality.

This product can stain and seal wood simultaneously. The best thing about using this product is that it doesn’t require any primer. It comes ready for use, which is nice. Plus, it comes in different colors, such as natural cedar, light oak, redwood, dark walnut, etc.

Applying this stain and sealer product is also straightforward. You can use a roller, brush, or a sprayer for different applications, and the outcome won’t be affected. Its coverage is impressive, and it doesn’t leave runs or streaks during application as well.

Additionally, you can apply the wood stain and sealer in any weather condition. It adapts to any temperature and penetrates deeply into the wood for optimal protection against mildew and mold.

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The oil-based formula also contains UV blockers. It prevents the sun rays from damaging the mahogany door, maintaining the wood’s beautiful appearance.

The sealer dries quite rapidly. In less than three days, your mahogany door should be completely dried and ready for use.

Verdict

This is another multipurpose wood stain and sealer that will produce the kind of result that you need. The product is easy to apply and the resulting finish is perfect.

5. Olympic Smartguard Concentrated Clear Multi-Surface Sealant

This concentrated sealant will give your mahogany door a superb finish when combined with a wood stain. The formulated product penetrates deeply into the wood to provide additional protection against mildew and mold.

This sealant is compatible with a wide range of applications. You can apply the sealant using a brush, roller, or pump sprayer. To apply the sealant, all you need are two gallons of water to thin the sealant.

The formula dries quickly as well. Once applied, the sealant dries within an hour. This saves you a tremendous amount of time, as you can quickly get back to using the surface.

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The resistance capability of the Olympic Smartguard is impressive. Water and UV light does not affect the sealant, making it ideal for coating mahogany doors.

Verdict

Olympic Smartguard Concentrated Clear Multi-Surface Sealant totally impressed us. Its fast-drying feature and ease of use are incredible. Arriving at a low-price tag makes it a great option for people to try.

6. Eco Advance Wood Siloxane Waterproofer Concentrate – Best Odourless Finish

Eco Advance Wood Siloxane Waterproofer Concentrate is a non-toxic formula that will offer your mahogany doors advanced protection and durability.

This liquid formula is highly resistant to UV light, water, mildew, and mold growth. It penetrates the wood, ensuring the door lasts for an extended time.

The concentrated sealant is easy to apply, and certified safe to use. The sealant contains low VOCs, so there are no adverse effects after using the sealant. Plus, it’s odorless and can be used in the presence of people and pets.

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Due to its vapor transmission, this product dries fast, allowing the wood substrate to cure properly before use. This prevents water from going too deeply into the wood, which could cause degradation.

Verdict

Eco Advance Wood Siloxane Waterproofer Concentrate provides the finish that you would love. It’s non-toxic and eco-friendly. 

Best Finish for Exterior Mahogany Door Buyer’s Guide

When choosing the best finish for exterior mahogany doors, you need to consider critical factors. These factors will help you decide if the finish is the right one for the job or not. Below are some of the factors that you should consider;

Type of Exterior Finish

Some exterior finishes come in two-parts while others are used without mixing. Although finishes that are used without mixing are easier to use, two-part finishes offer optimal abrasion resistance and dry rapidly. When mixed in the right combination, two-part finishes provide the best coating result, unlike one-part finishes.

UV Protection

Exterior finishes with UV protection make them suitable for outdoor utilization. UV rays are real threats to wood and can cause irreparable damage to the wood. The best finish for the exterior mahogany door must come with UV blockers. It prevents warping and the growth of mold in the wood to a great extent. You should note that finishes with UV blockers don’t totally prevent sun rays from reaching the wood.

When choosing an exterior finish, ensure that it comes with UV absorbers.

Durability

Since it’s a finish for exterior use, you need to make sure it’s durable enough to withstand abrasion and scratches. In addition to that, it should last for an extended time. This will help cut down on expenses in the long run.

Ease of Use

Not all exterior finishes are simple to use. Contrarily, you’ll find some that you may need to thin or mix with one solvent or the other before applying. Additionally, some of these products may prefer a method of application that you may not know.

When choosing an exterior finish, ensure that it’s convenient to use. Also, ensure that such a product comes with a manual or an instruction guide so that you won’t have issues applying the product. When mistakes occur, you should find handling the issue comfortably.

Drying Time

Every finish for exterior purposes has its drying time. Most exterior finishes dry rapidly but others take a longer time than usual to dry. You should avoid this type of exterior finish, as it can be easily messed up by debris and dust.

How to Refinish Exterior Mahogany Doors

Refinishing mahogany doors is one thing that most people are not familiar with. However, it’s not as difficult as you may think. We will teach you how to refinish the hardwood door in simple steps.

What do You Need?

• Screwdriver or center punch
• Chemical strippers
• 80-grit, 150-grit, 180-grit, and 220-grit sandpaper
• Wood stain
• Paintbrush
• Rag
• Marine Spar varnish

Remove the Door Off the Hinges

First off, remove the door off the hinges. You can use a screwdriver or a center punch for the removal process. You’ll feel more balanced refinishing the door this way.

Prepare the Surface

Once you have successfully taken the doors out, remove all the hardware and prepare the surface for some sanding. Sand evenly using 80-grit sandpaper to remove the existing stains and sealers. Once you are done, check to see if there are gaps or holes on the door. If there are, fill them up with wood putty and sand with 150-grit sandpaper until a smooth surface is achieved.

If you find using sandpaper inconvenient, you can opt for a chemical paint stripper. A chemical stripper is a fantastic alternative to sandpaper and works best if you need to remove stains or sealers from places with fine details like a mahogany door. Sanding is more exhausting and time-consuming.

Before you can use a chemical stripper, wear thick protective gloves, overalls, and a respirator. Also, you should work in a ventilated area, as the chemical components are toxic. To get started, purchase a gel stripper and pour the required content into a shallow glass bowl.

Apply the stripper using a paintbrush from the top to the door’s bottom. But remember to follow the instructions as stipulated by the brand on the label. After painting, wait for some time for the chemical to find its way into the wood. Check the label’s instructions on how long you’ll need to wait for it to dry.

Add some sawdust to the painted surface to thicken the chemical stripper. This will make it easy for you to remove the paint. Use a putty knife to start scrapping the stain. Be careful not to scrape the wood itself. If there’s still stain left, apply more chemical stripper to the area. Wait for it to dry, and scrape again. Use fine 180-grit sandpaper to smoothen the surface.

Stain the Wood

This step is optional, as many people prefer to retain the color of their mahogany doors. If you feel indifferent and would like to enhance the door’s color or conceal it, you should stain the wood.

You could use pigmented oil stains, as they are straightforward to apply. Like earlier stated, these stains will conceal the wood’s natural color unless you opt for penetrating oil stains. Penetrating oil stains doesn’t affect the wood’s color because it only penetrates the wood. It doesn’t rest on top like pigmented stains.

Use a paintbrush, preferably a natural bristle to apply the stain along the wood’s grain, starting from carved areas to the rails. Use a rag to wipe any excesses as you paint. After application, allow the stain to dry before using any sealer.

Apply a Sealer

Sealers add a protective film to your door, thereby resisting fading and wear caused by weather elements. When looking for a sealer, choose one with UV absorbers and tung oil.

Once you have your varnish, apply the first coat in quick and even strokes using the same natural bristle paintbrush. Wait for it to dry and sand lightly with extra-fine 220-grit sandpaper. Apply the second and third coats three coats and follow the same sanding process.

Should You Use Penetrating Oils Or a Varnish?

Most painters often raise this question when they are in doubt about what to do. The fact is using penetrating oils or a varnish depends on what you want, as both finishes have their pros and cons.

Penetrating oils dry into the wood when applied. That is during painting, the oil penetrates the wood. The good thing about using penetrating oils is that they don’t flake. However, they are not durable and fade away quickly. Worse still, they are susceptible to sun rays. Plus, they can become a breeding ground for mildew to grow if not maintained.

The varnish is more durable, and they form a protective film on the wood to prevent UV light and other weather elements from damaging the wood. The varnish is an effective finish and the best choice for coating exterior mahogany doors.

For an indoor piece of furniture, penetrating oils will work great. For exterior wood, using varnish is best due to its protective film coating.

You can use both penetrating oils and varnish together on the same wood if you want. However, this method is expensive and energy-consuming. You would need to reapply the penetrating oils periodically because they fade easily. This means stripping the varnish off, reapplying the oil, and then adding the varnish again.

Note that water-based finishes are not ideal for coating exterior mahogany doors except when combined with stains. It’s not ideal due to its moisture content. You should avoid buying them if you don’t plan on using stain products.

Conclusion – Best Finish for Exterior Mahogany Door

Mahogany doors are strong and have great resistance capability. However, they wear out over time. That’s why we reviewed the best finish for exterior mahogany doors.

Using the best exterior finish will make the doors last longer and maintain their beautiful appearance. Additionally, you can change the color of the wood with the stain formulas discussed here.

With the buying guide discussed here, choosing the best exterior finish for your mahogany doors won’t be an issue. Also, applying it won’t be complicated, thanks to some of the tips already shared here.

Important Reads:

• Top 6 Best Sander for Removing Paint from Wood (Expert’s Review)
• Top 7 Best Marine Varnish for Wood (Reviews & Buying Guide 2021)