From the original questioner.
Best exterior door finish.
Exterior paints are sold in flat matte eggshell satin semi gloss and gloss sheens in order of the lowest to the highest.
When it comes to painting your front door there are a million colors to choose from but only one real option for the finish.
They shed water for a year or so before requiring reapplication.
Teak oil tung oil and tung oil finishes.
Previous varnish only finishes only lasted 2 3 years.
As soon as it begins to crack or peel it s only going to get worse.
Pettit marine paint s captain s varnish and epifanes wood finish matte.
Go for a semi gloss finish which is as durable as it is attractive.
The best clear finish for an exterior door is 3 coats of clear epoxy followed with 2 3 coats of spar varnish.
Water repellents wrs.
An exterior oil finish is definitely the simplest quickest way to treat an outdoor project.
In my opinion spar varnish will give you the best clear coat protection against water.
My go to finish system for exterior doors is a combination of two products.
The best protection for an exterior door is opaque paint all clear finishes will need constant maintenance.
A storm door would also be a big help in protecting the door form the elements.
Pettit marine paint s captain s varnish and epifanes wood finish matte.
High quality formulations have finely ground pigments that block uv rays while allowing the grain to show.
An epoxy sealer with an exterior varnish topcoat is the most durable outdoor finish and can last for many many years.
Water repellents and water repellent preservatives.
Their popularity and effectiveness for finishing the bright work on boats makes them the best choice for protecting exterior wooden doors that are exposed to harsh weather elements year round.
However the initial application does take longer then exterior varnish.
For a natural look penetrating oil finishes might be your best bet.
Whether it s a marine grade spar varnish or otherwise a film forming finish such as varnish only truly seals the wood when the film is intact.
The same goes for exterior trim.
It s got to be semigloss.
Prior to applying new finish scrub the surface with a cleaner containing an oxidizing agent such as bleach.
Their popularity and effectiveness for finishing the bright work on boats makes them the best choice for protecting exterior wooden doors that are exposed to harsh weather elements year round.