In this video, we’re breaking down whether you should resurface your hardwood garage doors after your contractor noticed fuzzing from sanding, and what you can do about those extra fees for fixing wood instability under old stain and varnish.

So, here’s the deal. when your hardwood garage doors get stripped and sanded, sometimes the wood grain puffs up or fuzzes because the moisture or old finishes make the fibers swell. this is super common, especially if the wood wasn’t perfectly dry or stable underneath. The usual fix is pretty straightforward. after sanding with a medium grit, you gotta seal the wood to lock in moisture and prevent fuzzing, then sand again lightly with a fine grit like 220 before staining. Using a penetrating sealer or a zinc-based product can really help stabilize the wood fibers, especially if you’re in a place with wild weather swings like Colorado mountains. After sealing and sanding, applying a high solids oil-based finish will protect the wood and extend its life, keeping it looking fresh longer without peeling or fuzzing again. If your contractor’s asking for extra money to do these steps, it’s not totally out of line because they’re dealing with an unexpected extra step that takes more time and materials. But you can also DIY this if you wanna save some cash. grab a palm or orbital sander with fine grit sandpaper and do the sealing and sanding yourself before the final finish. Just make sure the wood is dry before you start; sanding wet or saturated wood only makes fuzz worse.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when refinishing hardwood garage doors is skipping the sealing step after sanding, which leads to raised grain and a rough finish that looks bad and feels fuzzy. Another common issue is sanding too aggressively without letting the wood dry properly first, causing more fuzz and sometimes even damage to the wood fibers. Lastly, not using the right kind of finish. like going with a low-quality or water-based stain on exterior doors. can cause the finish to peel or fail quickly because it doesn’t protect against weather or UV like high solids oil-based products do. To avoid these problems, always let your doors dry completely after stripping and sanding, seal them well before the final sanding, and pick a durable finish designed for outdoor use.

BigHomeProjects.com is great for hooking you up with trusted local contractors who know their stuff when it comes to hardwood door refinishing and other home projects. Plus, if you’re a contractor yourself, they help you find steady gigs so you can keep busy and build your reputation with real homeowners who need help.

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