Doors and Windows - Varnish on Anderson Hinges
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Varnish on Anderson Hinges
02-18-01, 08:52 AM
The installer for my new Anderson French Doors does not do finishing leaving me to stain and varnish the pine jams and interior. I read the documentation from Anderson, and it says not to get any varnish or stain on the hinges. Of course that is impossible. The tape I put on only helped to draw the stain and varnish into the joints. Now the door squeaks and I still have two more coats of varnish to put on.
I removed the bottom hinge support from the top hinge and cleaned it up a bit, but there does not appear to be a lubricant on the hinge at all. Just a little ball bearing that sits is a cup that the hinge pin fits into.
This all begs the following questions:
1) What can I do to keep the varnish out?
2) What do I need to do to clean these hinges up right?
3) What lubricant if any should I use on these hinges?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Joseph (Sam) Rehling
I removed the bottom hinge support from the top hinge and cleaned it up a bit, but there does not appear to be a lubricant on the hinge at all. Just a little ball bearing that sits is a cup that the hinge pin fits into.
This all begs the following questions:
1) What can I do to keep the varnish out?
2) What do I need to do to clean these hinges up right?
3) What lubricant if any should I use on these hinges?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Joseph (Sam) Rehling
Mike Swearingen
02-18-01, 10:21 AM
Sam,
First try WD-40 on the hinges. Let them soak in it. WD-40 is more of a solvent than a lubricant. Then, if the varnish seems to be pretty much cleaned out of the hinges, and they're working o.k., oil them with 3-In-1 oil.
The oil will help keep out the varnish.
If WD-40 doesn't work, you may have to remove the hinges to soak them in a more powerful solvent (hopefully not, because that will remove the protective coating on them, too).
We installed two sets of triple section Andersen "Frenchwood" French doors in 1998. My wife, who's the "expert" at this, stained/polyed all of the coats, never taped the hinges, and VERY carefully kept anything from running into them. No problems. I thought that it would be impossible, too, but she did it.
You might want to give the Norfolk area Andersen Dealer a call to see if they can help, or get them to have an Andersen rep call you for advice. You KNOW that they've heard this problem before.
Also, make sure that the set screws on the door side of the adjustable hinges are tight. If they're loose, the door won't stay in place, and that may cause some squeaking.
Good Luck "oldguard"!
Mike
First try WD-40 on the hinges. Let them soak in it. WD-40 is more of a solvent than a lubricant. Then, if the varnish seems to be pretty much cleaned out of the hinges, and they're working o.k., oil them with 3-In-1 oil.
The oil will help keep out the varnish.
If WD-40 doesn't work, you may have to remove the hinges to soak them in a more powerful solvent (hopefully not, because that will remove the protective coating on them, too).
We installed two sets of triple section Andersen "Frenchwood" French doors in 1998. My wife, who's the "expert" at this, stained/polyed all of the coats, never taped the hinges, and VERY carefully kept anything from running into them. No problems. I thought that it would be impossible, too, but she did it.
You might want to give the Norfolk area Andersen Dealer a call to see if they can help, or get them to have an Andersen rep call you for advice. You KNOW that they've heard this problem before.
Also, make sure that the set screws on the door side of the adjustable hinges are tight. If they're loose, the door won't stay in place, and that may cause some squeaking.
Good Luck "oldguard"!
Mike