Product Care & Finishing

Wood Mouldings

Moulding Tips
  • Before finishing, lightly sand all material.
  • Due to moisture control issues, we recommend that all surfaces and edges be finished as quickly as possible.
  • It is recommended to keep all interior mouldings and millwork inside a humidity controlled area while on the job site. To ensure proper moisture content, it is best to allow the material to acclimate for several days prior to installation. If you are unable to store the material in a humidity-controlled area, please keep the material off the floor. This will help prevent the material from gaining moisture from uncured concrete or a wood floor with a higher moisture content. When those conditions exist, it is best to use a vapor barrier such as a sheet of plastic to cover the material on top and bottom when it is not in use.

Primed MDF

Installing Primed MDF
  • Store mouldings on the jobsite flat, and up off the floor to prevent material from getting wet and drawing moisture.
  • Prior to installation, mouldings should be stored in room conditions for a minimum of 48 hours. Contrary to popular belief, MDF can expand and contract due to changes in relative humidity, so acclimation is very important.
  • When ripping, cutting or routing, carbide tipped blades and/or cutter heads are strongly recommended.
  • Pneumatic fastening systems with the air pressure set at 90 – 120 PSI works best.
  • The types of fasteners that work best are 16-18 gauge finish nails. Smooth shank nails are not recommended. However, it is up to the installer to decide what works best for his own application.
  • MDF is a man-made product that is excellent for face nailing (1″ from ends and ¼” from edges is recommended). Edge nailing is not recommended.
  • The use of a fast-drying adhesive, such as our Kwik-Bond Adhesive and Activator, helps to prevent the separation of mitered corners. Another option for applying casing around doors and windows is to use casing corner blocks. In this application, the use of glue is not required.
Finishing Primed MDF
  • Wholesale Hardwood Interiors’ Primed MDF mouldings are coated with a high-quality water based acrylic latex primer. Any high-quality water, oil, or lacquer-based topcoats will work to produce a good finished product. (For best results, follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions regarding product use.)
  • Wholesale Hardwood Interiors’ Primed MDF mouldings have an exclusive finish process with a double prime and double profile-sand manufacturing process which results in a smoother finish, decreasing in-field finishing time and associated costs.
For Best Results With Primed MDF
  • Fill and seal all nail holes.
  • Lightly sand with fine grit sandpaper or a piece of Scotchbrite.
  • Wipe down the surface of the moulding that is going to be painted with a tack cloth to remove any excess dust left from sanding.
  • Apply the first coat of premium paint.
  • Lightly sand again with fine grit sandpaper or Scotchbrite to help the second coat of paint adhere to the first.
  • Wipe down the moulding with a tack cloth to remove any dust from sanding.
  • Apply a second coat of premium paint.

Solid Wood Doors

Proper Care For Solid Wood Doors
  • Condition job site environment prior to delivery.
  • Deliver door(s) to building site after plaster or cement is dry. If doors are stored at job site for more than two weeks, all edges should be sealed.
  • Avoid extreme variances in environmental conditions.
  • Avoid direct sunlight.
  • Protect doors from dirt, water and other jobsite hazards.
  • Store in a dry environment.     
  • Store in a well-ventilated building.
  • Cover the door to keep clean, but allow air circulation.
  • Handle with clean gloves.
  • Do not drag doors across one another or across other surfaces.
  • Door packaging should remain on delivered doors until ready for finishing.
Finishing Solid Wood Doors
  • Before finishing, make sure the interior building is at a normal humidity level. Make sure the doors have stabilized to a level moisture content. 
  • Prior to finishing, use a 150-grit abrasive over the entire surface of the door. This process is used to remove all scuffs, marks, scratches, raised grain and moisture exposure effects that may occur during the handling, transporting and storage of the door.
  • If the door will be exposed to the direct sunlight, avoid dark stains and paints to reduce warpage.
  • For poplar doors, a medium-to-dark stain is recommended. Consult a professional regarding finishing techniques for various species.
  • All exposed wood surfaces must be sealed, including the top and bottom edges.
  • The utility or structural strength of the door must not be impaired in the fitting of the door or through the application of hardware.
  • For all standard height interior doors, use three (3) hinges. All doors 7’6” or higher require four (4) hinges. Allow a fitting clearance of 1/16” on the hinge side and 1/8” on the lock side.
  • Before finishing, remove handling marks or effects of exposure to moisture with a thorough, final sanding over all surfaces of the door using 3/0 and 5/0 sandpaper and clean before applying sealer or finish. Some species of wood contain a chemical (oak, for example) which reacts unfavorably with certain finishes. When possible, the surface should be tested for such unfavorable reactions. Application of a sealer before finishing will usually prevent this difficulty. The full beauty of wood is best emphasized by the use of a satin or semi-gloss finish.
  • Immediately after fitting, or cutting for closures, weatherstrip and/or threshold, and before hanging any interior door on the job, the entire door, including the top and bottom edges, must receive an application of a primer and two coats of a good grade paint, varnish or lacquer. Adequate drying time must be allowed between coats. For job-site finishing, do not use a water-thinned paint unless an oil base prime coat is first applied. 

Molded Doors

Masonite Door Care & Finishing

MDF Style & Rail Doors

TruStile MDF Door Care & Finish