Finishing Instructions & maintenance

STORAGE AND HANDLING

• Store doors fl at on a level surface in a dry, well ventilated building. Doors should be kept at least 3-1/2” off the floor and should have protective coverings under the bottom door and over the top. Covering should protect doors from dirt, water and abuse,
  but allow for air circulation under and around the pallet.
  Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
• Do not submit interior doors to extremes of heat and/or humidity. Prolonged exposure may cause damage. Buildings where humidity and temperature are controlled provide the best storage facilities.
  (Recommended conditions: 30% to 50% relative humidity and 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Do not install doors in buildings with wet plaster or cement unless they have been properly finished. Do not store doors in buildings with excessive moisture content – HVAC systems should be operating and balanced.
• Doors should always be handled with clean hands or while wearing clean gloves.
• Avoid dragging the doors across one another or across other surfaces and avoid leaning them at a steep angle (preferably store flat).

CLEANING AND TOUCH-UP

• Inspect all wood doors prior to installation on the job site. Field repair/final finishing involves filling exposed nail or screw holes,
  refinishing of raw surfaces resulting from job fitting, repair of job-inflicted scratches and mars, and final cleaning of finished surfaces. Field repairs are the responsibility of the installing contractor.
• Use a non-abrasive, commercial cleaner designed for cleaning wood or paneling surfaces that does not leave a film residue.

PREPARATION AND FINISHING

• Make sure the doors are dry. Avoid finishing them shortly after rain, damp weather or during periods of higher than average humidity. Visually inspect the door for defects and damage. Remove all handling marks and labels and effects to exposure to moisture with a thorough, final sanding over all surfaces of the door with a 150 or 180 grit sandpaper.
• If needed, adjust components before finishing with a wood block and hammer (wood panels can “float”).
• Remove sanding dust and other foreign debris by wiping the door down with a slightly damp cloth.
• Before finishing, machine the door so these areas may be sealed later.
• Test your finish prior to application to detect any unfavorable reactions to chemicals in the wood or for foreign debris in the finish.
• Follow finish providers instructions carefully to ensure you are using a product they authorize as suitable for the desired application. If an undesirable reaction occurs, DO NOT continue with finishing. Contact your finish supplier or door supplier
  immediately.
  IMPORTANT: Wood species such as Pine, Maple, Birch and Poplar take stains differently and may appear uneven or blotchy after staining. If the door is to be stained, a wood conditioner or stain control should be applied prior to staining to promote a uniform appearance.
  Note: as the sealer allows for more even stain application, it may also reduce grain contrast and the depth of stain penetration.