Care of Fiberglass Doors

Things You Will Need

• White vinegar
• Cold water
• 2 buckets
• Latex gloves
• Soft-bristle scrub brush
• 4 soft white cloths or white shop towels
• Water hose with sprayer
• Plastic sheeting or drop cloth
• Furniture polish
• 16-oz. spray bottle
• Paper towels
• Acetone

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They require a cleaning method that won’t damage the fiberglass and won't leave a residue.

Unpainted Doors

1. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of water in a bucket. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands dry. Stir the mixture with a soft-bristle scrub brush.

2. Apply the mixture to the exterior side of the door, including any glass panels, using a soft white cloth or shop towel. Scrub any stubborn stains and debris with the scrub brush.

3. Spray the door with water to rinse it thoroughly. Dry with a clean soft cloth or shop towel.

4. If stains/grime buildup are still present, complete the steps in “Removing Stains From Unpainted Doors."

5. Enter your home and close the door. Place a piece of plastic sheeting or a drop cloth on the floor in front of the door to protect the flooring.

6. Dip a soft cloth or shop towel in the vinegar-and-water mixture, wring out excess and wipe the interior side of the door. Scrub any stubborn stains and debris with the scrub brush.

7. Fill a bucket with cold water. Dip a clean soft cloth or shop towel in the water, wring out the excess and wipe the door clean.

8. Dry the door with a clean soft cloth or shop towel.

9. If stains/grime buildup are still present, complete the steps in “Removing Stains From Unpainted Doors."

Removing Stains From Unpainted Doors

1. Apply 2 tbsp. of acetone to a clean soft cloth or shop towel.

2. Wipe the stain with the acetone-soaked cloth or towel. Repeat for each stubborn stain you want to remove.

3. Complete Steps 6 and 7 of “Unpainted Doors.”

Painted Doors

1. Spray a thin layer of furniture polish onto the interior or exterior door surface.

2. Wipe the door with a soft cloth or shop towel. If stains remain, respray them with furniture polish and let the polish stand for 4 to 5 minutes to penetrate the stain. Then fold the cloth or towel in half and wipe the stain vigorously.

3. Combine 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of cold water into a 16-oz. spray bottle. Spray any glass panels in the door with the vinegar-and-water mixture. Wipe the glass clean with a paper towel.

References

• Jiancai365: Fiberglass Exterior Door Purchase and Maintenance
• Bayer Built: How to Stain Wood-Grain Textured Fiberglass Doors
• Wayne Dalton Garage Doors: Fiberglass Garage Doors

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Tips

You can also use mineral spirits to remove stains and grime buildup from an unpainted fiberglass door.

If your fiberglass door sits in direct sunlight, apply a layer of spray-on marine wax each year to the door’s exterior surface to keep the fiberglass finish from changing colors over time. Marine wax is available at auto parts stores, certain home improvement centers and online marine supply merchants.

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Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

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