Use and Care Guide

©2017 Masonite International Corporation. MIC-16525 1-800-663-DOOR masonite.com
FINISHING YOUR MOLDED PANEL, FLUSH & WOOD DOORS (primed for paint)
MATERIALS NEEDED
 Rubber gloves
 Other personal protective gear as
needed (eye protection/ventilator)
 Drop cloth
 Paper towels
 220 grit sandpaper and sanding block
 Tack cloths
 Masking tape or painter’s tape
 Stir sticks
 1" High quality brush
 3" – 4" High quality brush
 Scraper
 Putty knives
 Utility knife or sharp blade
 Wood filler (for wood doors or jambs)
 Water based or oil based primer
(needed for sanded and unprimed
products to be painted)
 Conditioner and wood sealer (to be
used when staining wood doors or
wood veneer doors for even color)
 Water based or oil based top coat
(paint) – semi-gloss
 Mineral spirits – for cleanup,
if oil-based paint is used
 Sawhorses
BEFORE YOU PAINT (all door types)
1 Inspect the door and sand imperfections as needed. (See figure A)
2 Wipe down with a tack cloth to ensure a dust free finish. (See figure B)
3 Paint in following order for door type. (See figures E – G)
4 Read paint/stain manufacturer’s instructions.
5 If finishing more than one door, complete one door
and evaluate the finish before finishing multiple doors.
HOW TO PAINT
AFTER YOU PAINT
FIGURE A FIGURE B FIGURE C
Back
Bottom Edge
Top
Edge
Side
Edge
Side
Edge
Front
FIGURE D
Pre-Primed Doors. Light sanding of
pre-primed doors prior to painting
is recommended. If primer has been
removed or damaged from any part
of the door during shipping or handling,
lightly sand and re-prime the exposed
areas. Follow the primer manufacturer’s
instructions for application. If additional
primer is used, ensure the primer meets
the desired finished door results. Ensure
the primer is compatible with both the
paint and primed door.
Primer. Molded panel doors and white
flush doors are primed. If primer has been
removed or damaged from any part of the
door during shipping or handling, remove
handling marks by lightly sanding before
re-priming all areas where it is removed.
If additional primer is used ensure the
paint meets the desired finished door
results. Follow the primer manufacturer’s
instructions for application. Ensure the
primer is compatible with both the paint
and primed door.
Paint. Masonite recommends a high
quality semi-gloss, water-based or
oil-based paint. Consult with your
topcoat supplier for the correct paint
to work with your Masonite door.
Follow the paint manufacturers
instructions. A quality finish is achieved
with a minimum of two coats following
the paint manufacturers instructions for
drying time and application. Masonite
does not recommend dark or high
gloss paints. If a higher quality finish is
preferred additional coats and sanding
will be required following the coating
manufacturers instructions.
FIGURE F
MOLDED &
MDF PANEL
Paint in the
following order:
¢ Door panels
¢ Center stiles
¢ Horizontal rails
¢ Vertical stiles
¢ Finish all edges
(See figure C)
1
2
3
4
5
3
3
3
3
21 1
21
4 4
5
5
1
21 1
FIGURE E
FLUSH PRIMED
Paint in the
following order:
¢ Flush surface
¢ Finish all edges
(See figure C)
1
2
1
2
FIGURE G
WOOD LOUVER
PRIMED
Paint in the
following order:
¢ Start with the
louvers/panels
¢ Horizontal rails
¢ Vertical stiles
1
2
3
33
1
2
1
1 Remove any excess paint from the
corners of the panels by lightly
brushing with a dry 1" brush.
2 Allow paint to dry thoroughly before
applying a second coat. Consult the
paint manufacturer’s instructions for
drying times. Sand in-between coats.
Do not sand the final top coat.
3 All six sides of the door must be
painted to maintain the warranty.
(See figure D)
4 After the door is painted and
completely dry, install hardware.
WARNING
Some issues are caused by incorrect
topcoat and/or improper coating
techniques. Masonite is not responsible
or issues related to incorrect topcoats.
Always follow the recommended
instructions or the instructions of paint
or stain manufacturers.
Telegraphing or Fiber Rise. Rough or
raised straw-like protrusions, appears as
a result of incorrect topcoat (paints or
stains), improper finishing techniques and
or finishing conditions. These are caused
by but are not limited to incorrect topcoat,
watered down paints, high humidity
environments, and excessive application
of paints.
Distortion. Warping, bowing and waviness,
can appear as a result of incorrect topcoat
(paints or stains), improper finishing
techniques and or finishing conditions.
These are caused by but are not limited
to incorrect topcoat, watered down paints,
high humidity environments, excessive
application of paints, and doors not being
acclimated properly.
Grain Raise. The visible rise of the natural
woodgrain, can be caused by but are not
limited to incorrect topcoat, watered down
paints, high humidity environments, and
excessive application of paints.
Poor Paint Adhesion. A poor bond of the
paint to the door, can be caused by but are
not limited to incorrect topcoat, watered
down paints, high humidity environments,
excessive application of paints, and
painting an improperly prepared door.
Orange Peeling. An orange skin-like, can
be caused by some but are not limited to;
incorrect topcoat, paint drying too fast,
and excessive application of paints.