How to Oil an External Oak Door

How to Oil an External Oak Door

Our solid oak external doors are handcrafted with care to ensure stability and warp resistance, but to ensure they last you a lifetime they must be correctly treated and cared for. The effects of harsh weather conditions like wind, rain and snow can all contribute to rot and damage. Because Oak is a natural product, we do not recommend that external oak doors are directly exposed to the elements, so the door will need to be enclosed within a porch or under a canopy. To further ensure they last for as long as possible, you must treat them before fitting them, and then clean and re-treat them every two or three years. Here is our guide to correctly treating your external oak doors.

You Will Need…

• Sanding pads - 240 grit & 320 grit
• Safety Goggles & Safety Mask
• Latex or Safety Gloves
• Micro Fiber Cloth or Tack Cloth
• Varnish Paint Brush or Lint Free Cloths
• External Treatment Oil (We recommend Osmo or Impranol)
• Masking Tape – For Glazed doors and Door Knobs
• Dust Sheets
• V Joint Sealer

Treating an External oak door

1. Ensure your working area is well ventilated before and after treatment.
2. Mask off any glazing or door furniture with your masking tape
3. Our doors are pre-sanded but you will need to buff over any uneven areas once you have cut into the wood for the hinges and handles etc. Blunt any sharp edges with 240 grit sandpaper as coatings will naturally lay much thinner on sharp edges and become a weak point.
4. Wipe away dust with a micro fiber cloth, use a damp lint free cloth to wipe away any remaining sawdust.
5. Ensure the wood you are about to treat is clean, dry and free from damp or moisture.
6. We recommend using Osmo UV Protection Oil to treat your wood. You will need to use a layer of base coat and 2 layers of top coat for maximum protection. Using a product which does not have UVA protection will gradually discolour your door over time.
7. Stir the oil well before use and using a flat brush or a lint-free cloth, the base layer should be applied evenly following the direction of the fibres.
8. Sand any areas of raised grain with 320 grit paper, then apply an end grain sealer to any areas of exposed end grain.
9. Apply your first coating of the top coat.
10. Under normal weather conditions the finish will be dry to the touch after approximately 8-12 hours depending on which product you choose.
11. Be sure to seal inside lock and letter box cut outs, behind hinges, both the top edge and bottom edge underneath the door, and door sides to prevent moisture entering the timber.
12. Both sides of the door should be done at the same time to ensure correct moisture content is maintained throughout the entire thickness of the external oak door.
13. You will need to lightly rub any uneven areas to denib the door with 320 grit once the first coat is dry.
14. Please apply the V Joint sealer over the first coat in the joint areas, only a thing bead is required. The final coats can be applied more generously.
15. Depending on the level of weathering; recheck your doors annually and apply 1 coat of treatment Oil when needed on the cleaned and damp free door surface.

What oil should I use to treat my External Oak Door?

After many years of testing various brands and products, we can highly reccomend both Impranol and Osmo oils. Impranol needs to be applied in two stages; Stage one is the colour base coat this needs approx 8 hours drying time and 12 hours before you can apply the second coat. Stage two is the elan top coat, being highly translucent it enhances the natural grain of the wood. Available to purchase seperately or as part of a value pack. Osmo Oak UV Protection Oil often applied in two coats, allowing 12 hours drying time inbetween coats. We do not recommend using: Water based, be it a varnish or paint, Natural oil (eg. Teak oil, Linseed oil, Danish oil, Vegetable oil, Soya Bean oil etc.) Wax and Varnish, as we do not consider these to give adequate protection against the elements and harmful UV rays. The safety bit: Ensure adequate ventilation of work area. Do not breathe spray mist. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wear goggles and mask when spraying or in insufficiently ventilated areas.Cover light swiches, sockets and electric cables to avoid short-circuiting. Avoid naked flame. Do not spray plants. Wash face and hands thoroughly before eating and after work. When using, do not eat, drink or smoke. Keep out of reach of children and away from animals, keep away from food, drink and animal feeding stuffs. Do not pour into household receptacles for food or beverages. Can be irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. Can be stored for at least 2 years. Re-seal opened containers tightly after use. Keep only in the original container, to be handled by competent persons. Oak Door storage and care: For more information on how to store your oak door once it arrives, why not check out our blog post on oak door care. Our External Oak Door range: Are made from 100% solid oak, handcrafted with care using the right blend of modern and traditional techniques.  Shop online with us to see our entire range of quality external oak doors. *Claims on an external oak door which has not been treated with our recommended methods will not be valid.*