Process for Preparing Steel Doors for Painting or Staining

1. Description: This web page explains the complete process & techniques of preparing steel doors for painting and staining.
2. Required pre-requisite procedure(s): None
3. Products Required: Degreaser, Surface Cleaner
4. Optimum Environment: Proper lighting, Temperature 60 – 90°F, Humidity range: moderate
5. Tools Needed: 400 Grit Wet/Dry Sandpaper, 600 Grit Wet/Dry Sandpaper Lint Free Rags, Compressed Air, Pneumatic sander (recommended)
6. Preparation of substrate: The object of the preparation is to make the substrate dull, smooth, clean and water wettable. This will work to ensure that the coating wets out thoroughly in application, resulting in a smooth film with adhesion to the substrate.
7. Procedure: Wet sand the door with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and degreaser to dull the surface in all areas and ensuring that no glossy surface areas remain. Wipe off surface cleaner completely with lint free rags to ensure the door is free from all residue and sanding dust.
8. QC: The door can be visually inspected for any areas of gloss that may remain. Glossy areas indicate that sufficient sanding was not done and is required further to gain adhesion. It is imperative that the door is completely free of all dirt and dust before application. A water test will serve as an indication as to whether or not the door has been sufficiently prepared and ready for application of a polyurethane acrylic water based coating. If the water wets out, not beading up or pulling back as it is spread, the polyurethane acrylic water based coating will wet out similarly, helping to produce desirable results of a smooth film formation and adhesion of the coating to the substrate. Any area where the water beads up or pulls back will require more preparation attention before application.

Vinyl Frames

White Hurricane Impact

INSTALLATION

Always install frames with screws to the inside of home. Remove tabs from glass; place frame with glass in it on a clean flat assembly table; using tube supplied by RSL neatly apply 3/16″ bead of sealant around the perimeter of the frame. Lower door cut-out onto the frame on the table so that it presses down into the silicone; place inside frame into cut-out and snap frame halves together; install provided zinc coated screws into predrilled holes loosely; tighten with maximum 8-10 inch/lbs of torque and do not over tighten; snap (2) short caps on inside frame; install (2) longer caps by bowing them in the middle to complete assembly.

FINISHING

RSL Maintenance Free Hurricane Impact frames do not require finishing and will retain their original color if unfinished. No primer is needed. If finishing is desired, simply use latex paint, labeled “For Plastics” or gel stains followed by two topcoats of clear polyurethane. When painting or staining in high heat or dark colors, use a heat reflective vinyl safe paint labeled “For Plastics”.

Vinyl Frames

White or Tan for Decorative and Commodity (Clear, Low-E, GBG’s, Internal Blinds, SDL’s)

Vinyl frames do not require finishing and will retain their original color if unfinished. No primer is needed. If finishing is desired, simply use latex paint labeled “For Plastics” or gel stains followed by two topcoats of clear polyurethane. When painting or staining in high heat or dark colors, use a heat reflective vinyl safe paint labeled “For Plastics”.

Always install frames with screws to the inside of home. Remove tabs from glass; place frame with glass in it on a clean flat assembly table; using tube supplied by RSL neatly apply 3/16″ bead of sealant around the perimeter of the frame. Lower door cut-out onto the frame on the table so that it presses down into the silicone; place inside frame into cut-out and snap frame halves together; install provided zinc coated screws into predrilled holes loosely; tighten with maximum 8-10 inch/lbs of torque and do not over tighten; snap (2) short caps on inside frame; install (2) longer caps by bowing them in the middle to complete assembly.

Injected Molded Frames

White R-Frames for Commodity (Clear, Low-E, GBG’s, Internal Blinds, SDL’s) 

RSL Injection Molded Maintenance Free frames do not require finishing and retain their original color if unfinished. If finishing is desired, both primers and paints labeled “For Plastics” must be used. For staining, primers are also required and then use gels stains with two coats of clear polyurethane. Using paint thinners or similar chemicals will void warranty and lose effectiveness of frame to door and frame to glass sealants. Always install frames with screws to the inside of home. Do not over tighten screws (max 18-20 inch/lbs).

White or Tan R-Frames for Decorative

RSL Injection Molded Maintenance Free Frames do not require finishing and retain their original color if unfinished. If finishing is desired, avoid using primers and apply two coats of exterior latex or polyurethane paint. For staining, also avoid primers and use gel stains with two coats of clear polyurethane. Using paint thinners or similar chemicals will void warranty and lose effectiveness of frame to door and frame to glass sealants. Always install frames with screws to the inside of home. Do not over tighten screws (max 18- 20 inch/lbs). Interior decorative glass is handcrafted, so bubbles and variations are not defects.

Black R-Frames for Commodity (Clear, Low-E, GBG’s, Internal Blinds, SDL’s) and Decorative 

RSL Injection Molded Maintenance Free frames do not require finishing and retain their original color if unfinished. If finishing is desired, both primers and paints labeled “For Plastics” must be used. For staining, primers are also required and then use gels stains with two coats of clear polyurethane.

Using paint thinners or similar chemicals will void warranty and lose effectiveness of frame to door and frame to glass sealants. Always install frames with screws to the inside of home. Do not over tighten screws (max 18-20 inch/lbs).

White S-Frames for Commodity (Clear, Low-E, GBG’s, Internal Blinds, SDL’s) and Decorative 

RSL Injection Molded Maintenance Free frames do not require finishing and retain their original color if unfinished. If finishing is desired, both primers and paints labeled “For Plastics” must be used. For staining, primers are also required and then use gels stains with two coats of clear polyurethane.

Using paint thinners or similar chemicals will void warranty and lose effectiveness of frame to door and frame to glass sealants. Always install frames with screws to the inside of home. Do not over tighten screws (max 18-20 inch/lbs).

Sticks to Frame

Yes

Yes