Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Red Oak Doors And Trim

Some much needed guidance is appreciated.. Here is my situation, I recently had six red oak 6 panel doors installed, along with similar red oak trim, new newel post, spindles, and handrail, also in red oak, I also trimmed out two half walls with red oak tops and trim, stair treads and risers are also now red oak too. I'm having my oak floors finished with 3 coats of oil based poly and this will also be used to finish the treads and risers. I understand the need for abrasion resistance on the floor and treads, I don't want to use a similar approach on the other woodwork. Any advice or approaches on how some of you would finish the doors and trim along with horizontal surfaces topping out the half walls. I'll also finally be trimming out the rest of the baseboards in red oak and need to finish this. I appreciate all your advice and input , thank you...Rich...Also these doors are solid wood and not a laminate, full pre hung units with matching jambs....You know I want these to look beautiful, and with the "right" treatment or finish do believe they will...PS....sorry for the long post

Welcome to the forums

If you want them to match the floor [in color] you will need to finish the doors and trim with either oil base poly or varnish. The use of latex varnish or poly would result in the wood appearing a different color.

IMO sanding sealer and varnish is easier to work with than poly. It doesn't dry as hard and is easier to sand. Sanding sealer can be used for the first coat if finishing with varnish. Sanding sealer raises and seals the grain so the next coats don't require as much sanding. Whether you use poly or varnish it will take 3 coats to make them look [and feel] good.

Thanks for the reply, I'm going for the glossy look on the floor and stair treads and risers, but I don't want to plasticize my doors and the rest of the trim in a similar manner..Ideas...? Thanks again...Rich

Thanks for the reply, I'm going for the glossy look on the floor and stair treads and risers, but I don't want to plasticize my doors and the rest of the trim in a similar manner..Ideas...? Thanks again...Rich
I'm looking for ideas as to what type of finishes some of you would use if you were facing a similar situation.

Both varnish & poly comes in 3 basic sheens - satin, semi-gloss and gloss.

I'm actually looking to achieve a natural look. I want to highlight the natural beauty of the red oak. I don't want to get involved with grain filling and coloring, I want to use the right products to bring out or accentuate the natural beauty. Thanks for the info....

questions?

you are not planning on staining any of the "red oak"?

why not finish your trim before nailing and filling the naill holes with
painters putty.?

if you want the doors and trim to match the floors, then use the
same finish.
poly will "amber" the wood it is used on.

if you are staining all of the wood, including the floors/treads then
i would use varathane for floors, on the doors and trim.
use a pad to apply. drys quick for sanding and recoating.

you would have a difference in colour with the floors being more amber
than the trim/doors


for more reading check this site out, click on finishes,
www.woodweb.com/index.html

how about 3 coats of satin finish on your doors trim ect.(same brand as your floors)

First of all, thanks for everyones input. I'm probably not staining the red oak, the floors are being sanded and having three coats of poly applied, although this will impart an amber hue I don't mind as this look is acceptable. I don't want a similar ambering on the other woodwork though. I am having a paint job done so some trim thats already installed will have to be finished in place. I know it's easier to finish and then apply it, but since I'm painting I don't mind if it's already up. Sanding sealer and varnish seem to be the route I'm leaning toward, anyone have any recommendations on which types or brands you prefer..? Thanks again, Rich

how about zinssers seal coat and topcoat that w/ a poly?? varnish is going to amber the wood just the same. Also, Zinsser also makes a sanding sealer that acts as a finish. It's called quick 15 and comes in satin and gloss, that would be an idea. I don't understand why you'd put a varnish on there, unless you use a s.sealer that required it.