Hello and hi to everyone out here… This forum is truly helpful to me getting advice from experts. So I put forth one more query seeking suggestions. The entry door of my house is of wood and it’s almost 10 years since it was installed. I find it slightly losing its shine and thought of getting it polished. Can I go for silicone based polish? Comments invited...

What kind of finish does it now have?  Paint, stain & polyurethane, or something else?

Cal

Stay away from Silicone it will ruin the ability to refinish it later on.

Is it painted, stained, Poly or Lac on the top coat?

Normally you would sand 220 then 400 then recoat whatever is on top.

 

+ on what Michael said about the silicon.

 

Knowing how the door was originally finished would help determine what your next step(s) would be. Most wooden exterior doors usually have some sort of UV resistant finish. Depending on how "worn" the original finish, you maybe able to lightly sand are reapply a similar film finish. If the original finish is cracked and peeling, sanding down to the bare wood may be necessary.

I will third the NO Silicone.

+1 as Lew wrote but if after sanding down to bare wood take the time to color the wood to your desired effect.

Like has been said, No Silicone. If you want a hi gloss ,  sand to 220g. or above, and up to 400g. and apply a high gloss exterior grade poly urethane. Exterior grade usually have a UV inhibitor. If hi gloss is too shiny go to a semi gloss or egg shell. A hi gloss will give it more of a wet look and magnify any defects or blemishes. You may want to tone down the shininess.

Just saying. An after thought, inside,or outside?

Herb

If it lasted 12 years outdoors, I'll bet my last nickle it ain't poly.

Do avoid the silicone oil such as in Pledge.  It will cause fish-eyes should you ever want to strip and refinish, or even just apply a top coat to refresh..  Not deadly, but adds complexity to future finishing.  Silicone oil contamination is like herpes -- once you get it, you'll have it forever.

 

Poly is a poor choice, even the so-called "exterior polyurethane" such as Helmsman.  Exterior poly is an oxymoron because poly has very poor UV resistance.  (see the article below for how it fails in just a few weeks)

 

Likewise, "sanding down to bare wood" is a poor idea.   If it needs that, it's much easier and better for finish removal to just use a chemical stripper.   You will pay the devil if you try to stain over such a prep and you have not completely removed all remnants of the old finish.  Plus most doors have a lot of detail that makes it difficult.  And you'll end up with a whole trash can full of gummed up sandpaper.

 

Here is a good choice for an exterior finish.  To do the prep: wash with Dawn and water, wipe with mineral spirits then lightly sand to scuff and dull the surface.  Oil based if you can get it and light coats.

Thank you for all valid suggestions... it is a painted wooden door. So what should be my next move?

I live in mile high country and the sun is very damaging here. I used the best clear finishes available and the sun just ate them up after two years. The only thing that lasted for 5 years was good porch and deck paint. 

 The rest of the guys have some really good advise and I'd go with their suggestions

9 hours ago, Sush said:

Thank you for all valid suggestions... it is a painted wooden door. So what should be my next move?

Just follow kmealy's instructions and use a good deck paint instead of the clear finish. 

@kmealy...

thanks...

Edited December 1, 20169 yr by Stick486

12 hours ago, Sush said:

Thank you for all valid suggestions... it is a painted wooden door. So what should be my next move?

I'm guessing you don't want to paint it again (?). After 10 years it seems like a fresh coat of paint would solve your problems.