Streuli Sales, Inc. Finishing & Warranty Information

FOR WOOD DOORS ONLY
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Congratulations on your purchase of a Santa Cruz Entrance System

In order for your door to give you many years of durability and satisfaction, the following steps are essential:
1.	Lightly sand with 220-grit sand paper to remove any raised grain or glue residue left over from the manufacturing process.
2.	If staining, we recommend using a “Santa Cruz® Finishing Kit” for the highest quality and best finish of your Santa Cruz Door.
3.	If using alternate stain: Use a wood conditioner to allow a more even stain application. Seal all six sides of door with marine or spar urethane.
4.	Climatic changes cause wood to expand and contract. In order to permit this natural process (and prevent panel cracking), use a razor knife to score each panel where the panels meet the moulding. Scoring should be done after all finishing is completed and dry.
5.	High temperatures develop in the space created by using a storm door. This excessive heat can cause the panels to split. Thus storm doors are not recommended.
6.	Consult attached finishing information for complete finishing instructions and other important information prior to finishing.
If you have any questions about the finishing process please call 1-800-234-4445

Streuli Sales, Inc. Limited 10 Year Warranty is extended for the longest period of any stile and rail door available today. For this warranty to remain in effect doors must be finished and maintained according to the following procedures. For best results use a Santa Cruz® Finishing Kit.
I.	PREPARATION FOR FINISHING
	1.	Doors must be sealed no more than 24 hours after installation.
	2.	Exposure to sun, rain and weather prior to finishing WILL VOID WARRANTY and cause splitting.
	3.	Before applying first finishing coat, sand entire surface lightly with 5/0 (220 grit) sandpaper. Always sand in the direction of the grain. Spot sanding can cause the finish to appear splotchy or scratched.
	4.	After sanding, clean entire door with a cloth removing dust or foreign debris.
	5.	Before finishing, hang the door. Then remove to finish properly.
	6.	Some woods contain chemicals which react unfavorably with certain finishes causing dark stain spots. Where possible, the finish selection should be tested prior to application.
	7.	Applying a wood conditioner to the product prior to staining will help reduce the color variations that are natural characteristics of all wood.
	8.	Properly finish entire door. COAT TOP, BOTTOM, SIDES, PANEL EDGES WITH EACH APPLICATION. DOOR MUST BE DRY BEFORE FINISHING. All 6 SIDES must be finished and sealed.
II.	EXTERIOR FINISHING
	A.	STAIN-AND-CLEAR FINISH:
	1.	Santa Cruz Finishing Kits featuring Sikkens stain products provide the highest quality, longest lasting protection for any Santa Cruz door. Protect your investment. We have found Sikkens will outlast any other finish two to one.
	2.	When not using a Santa Cruz Finishing Kit, apply a wood conditioner to the entire product prior to staining to help reduce the color variations and blotches that are natural characteristics of all wood.
	3.	Choose a stain with UV inhibitors as the sun will drastically change many stain colors. All Sikkens stains provide the highest UV protection in the industry.
	a.	To color and seal, make first coat a stain-and-sealer with alkyd-resin base. (Lacquer-based toner, water and lacquer-based finishes are not for exterior doors.)
	b.	Second coat to be solvent borne (oil base, alkyd resin base). We suggest Spar or Marine Urethane. Avoid polyurethanes because they tend to break down with UV rays causing your door direct exposure to the elements and will void warranty.
	c.	Lightly sand with 5/0 (220 grit) sandpaper or 000 steel wool between each top coat. Remove dust before recoating. Minimum of three top coats required.
	d.	After completion, score around each panel with razor knife to allow for expansion and contraction.
	B.	PAINT FINISH:
	a.	To paint finish your door, use a solvent-based primer coat and a compatible solvent-based finish coat. Sand all surfaces between all coats of primer and finish.
	b.	A minimum of three top coats is recommended. (Refer to paint manufacturers' instructions.)
	c.	After completion, score around each panel with razor knife to allow for expansion and contraction.
	d.	Dark pigmented paints (i.e. black, dark green) facing a sun exposure will cause excessive wood movement and possible splits or cracks. Use of dark colors will void warranty.
III.	MAINTENANCE
	1.	Stain-and-clear finishes perform better if protected from sunlight and weathering. (Refinishing will be required less frequently.)
	2.	Exterior door finishes may deteriorate with exposure to the environment. Inspect finish at least once a year. Refinish as needed.
IV.	STORM DOORS
	1.	High temperature (due to direct sunlight) develops in the space created by using a storm door. This excessive heat can cause the panels to split. Thus, storm doors are not recommended and will void warranty.
V.	IN AREAS OF DIRECT WEATHER EXPOSURE
	For further protection, apply caulking. Once the finish is completely dry and cured, we recommend the application of a small bead of clear caulk around the inside of any exterior molding where the molding touches either glass or wood (see drawing below). This caulk will still allow the panel to move (as the relative moisture content of the panel changes), yet continue to provide an excellent weather seal between the various door components to prevent leakage.

* Caution: Streuli Sales, Inc. can’t evaluate all available paints, stains or application requirements. Contact your paint dealer for systems best suited for your region. Select top quality finishes; follow instructions.
Click here for information about the Santa Cruz^® Door Finishing Kit