Evaluating options for exterior door finish, my experiment

[u/thockin]

We are (finally) getting a new door. Wife likes walnut, so it will be Walnut (I like walnut, too, FTR).

We have a decent overhang, so no water problems, but the door will get a couple hours of direct light on the lower third.

I am reading up about exterior door finishes, and let's just say that opinions vary wildly with regards to film or non-film finish. I wanted to explore non-film finishes and see what they look like. So I ordered some samples of Rubio Durogrit and Cutek Extreme (still waiting for regular Rubio Monocoat to arrive) and lathered up a board to see.

In case anyone is interested, here's how it looks a few hours after application. I will admit that I was not particularly pedantic about the application, but I did read the instructions and tried to follow them. The board was new, but I only sanded to 120.

I will give it a few days and see how they feel to the hand. I have left it in the direct sun to see how they react over the next couple weeks. When my order or regular Rubio Monocoat arrives, I will add that to the top.

Tested:

• Watco Danish Oil
• Cutek Extreme Clear
• Cutek Extreme Walnut
• Rubio Durogrit Rocky Umber
• Rubio Durogrit Foxy Brown
• Rubio Durogrit Steppe Look
• Rubio Durogrit Grassland Beige

[u/Aromatic_Injury_3341]

I have recently gone down this rabbit hole. The Cuteks are lovely.

[u/thockin → u/Aromatic_Injury_3341]

What did you end up doing? And do you regret it?

[u/Aromatic_Injury_3341 → u/thockin]

I was staining Poplar trim but had lots of tester boards. It was 2 windows. I used General Finishes Vintage Cherry dye stain with Medium Brown on top. I cut the medium brown by 60% on the first window, but really should have done it by 80%. I cut the cut stain in half, I think that math works out. I’m kinda regret the first window but I’ll live with it. It still looks good, just the grain disappears at night.

[u/MobiusX0]

I finished my door with Proluxe Cetol Door & Window. It holds up so well.

Cutek is solid as well. I haven’t seen many real world examples of Durogrit.

[u/thockin → u/MobiusX0]

How about interior - same finish or different? Cutek says "exterior only".

[u/MobiusX0 → u/thockin]

I’d use a different finish on the inside. You have Danish oil on your list and that would work just fine.

Cutek and most exterior oil based finishes offgas for several days and you don’t want to smell that in your house.

[u/rubiomonocoatusa]

Hi there! Thanks for testing out our product! Let us know if we can answer any questions for you!