Therma-Tru Doors Finishing Instructions - Manual (Page 8)

Finishing Instructions
2.8 2014 SITE 2
Painting Tips
Therma-Tru Traditions, Profiles and 90 Minute Steel Entry and Patio Door Systems
All Therma-Tru Steel entry and patio door systems must be finished within several days** of the installation date for continued
warranty coverage.
Painting The Door
1. Clean first with mild detergent and water or use a TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) solution.
2. Rinse well and allow to dry completely. Mask off hardware, glass and remove weather-stripping before painting.
3. Weather-stripping may be removed by gently pulling out. Re-insert after door is completely dry.
4. Use high-quality acrylic latex house paint, following manufacturer’s directions for application.
5. Use exterior grade paints for outside surfaces.
6. Paint edges and exposed ends of door.
7. DO NOT STAIN.
Painting Doorlite Frames
1. Remove any excess glass glazing sealant by first spraying with a window cleaner or water.
2. Use a single edge razor blade to score the glazing along the edge of the frame. Holding the razor blade at a 45
degree angle, scrape glazing from glass.
3. Wipe remaining residue off with window cleaner or mineral spirits.
4. Clean frame with a mild detergent and water, or use a TSP solution. Rinse well and allow to dry completely.
5. Mask off glass.
6. Prime door lite frames with an alkyd or acrylic-based primer. Allow primer to dry before applying finish paint coats.
7. Use high-quality acrylic latex house paint, following manufacturer’s application instructions. Use exterior grade
paints for outside surfaces.
Hints
1. Provide and maintain a properly installed cap or head flashing to protect top of surfaces from water intrusion and
damage. Tape and properly seal the top flap of the Water Resistive Barrier (WRB) over the head flashing.
2. Caulk around entire “weather” side of the door system, sealing along the brickmould to the flashing material or sid-
ing and seal all joints between the jambs and moldings.
3. Seal the joints between the exterior hardware trim and the door face to prevent air and water infiltration.
4. Place and set galvanized finish nails through the brickmould around the perimeter. Use exterior grade screws if you
are installing a storm door to the brickmould. Countersink all fasteners and cover with exterior grade putty.
5. Add insulation material to the cavity between the opening and the door system to reduce air infiltration and heat
transfer.
6. **All Therma-Tru Steel door systems must be finished within several days of the installation date for continued
warranty coverage however, all bare wood surfaces (such as door frames) should be primed and painted and top
coated within 2 weeks of installation or exposure to weather.
7. Paint (DO NOT STAIN) according to Therma-Tru finishing instructions (See NOTE below). Do Not paint or stain the
weather-strip, it is “friction-fit” and easily removed for painting or staining.
8. All doors must have all 6 sides finished and on out-swing doors the sides, top and bottom must be inspected and
maintained as regularly as all other surfaces.
9. Maintain or replace sealants and finishes as soon as any deterioration is evident. For semi-gloss or glossy paint or
clear coats, do this when the surface becomes dull or rough. More severe climates and exposures will require more
frequent maintenance.
10. Access our web site www.thermatru.com for printable versions of the installation and to view our Troubleshooting
video for minor installation issues and adjustments.
NOTE: For detailed information on finishing and warranty coverage see “THERMA-TRU FIBERGLASS and STEEL
DOOR SYSTEMS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROPER FINISHING AND PAINTING OR STAINING” located in the war-
ranty section of the Therma-Tru website @ www.therma-tru.com (Last Edited 9/30/09)