How to varnish and stain a door like a pro

• Wood stain
• Varnish
• Sandpaper
• Damp cloth
• Paintbrush
• Dust sheet
• Screwdriver

Remove all hardware from the door so you’re just left with the wood. If your door has windows, use masking tape to protect the glass from the stain.

Sand the wood to create a smooth surface for the stain to adhere to. Use a vacuum to clean up any dust after sanding.

Lay a dust sheet on the floor under the door. If working indoors, open some windows to make sure the room is well-ventilated.

Clean the door with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt.

Stir the stain well to prevent the pigment from settling at the bottom.

Test the stain on a piece of wood similar to your door. An offcut would be ideal. This is important as the type of wood your door is made from may result in a colour that differs from the shade shown on the tin.

If staining a panelled door, start with the panels and finish with the outer mouldings.

Brush the stain into the wood in the direction of the grain and avoid overlapping strokes as these overlaps may be visible.

Before the stain has dried out, remove any excess from the door using a lint-free cloth. Rub it into the grain in a circular motion to ensure it penetrates evenly into the wood.

If you’d like your door to have a darker finish, give it a light sand and repeat step two.

Once you’ve got the shade you’d like, it’s time to varnish.

Top tip: wear protective gloves and keep the room well-ventilated when applying varnish.

If varnishing a panelled door, work on the panels first before applying varnish to the mouldings. If not, work from top to bottom.

Many varnishes will need more than one coat. After applying your first coat, wait for it to dry and lightly sand the door. Clean any dust off with a damp cloth and leave to dry before applying a second coat.

Once your door is completely dry, remove tape from windows and hinges, and reattach any metal hardware that you removed.