Raised panel closet and bathroom doors

[neighborman]

We have a 2002 3670RL which we have been very pleased with, but after four years, we're looking to upgrade a few things. One area that my wife has always been interested in is replacing the woodgrain, flat doors to the potty room and closet/washer&dryer space, with raised panel doors as found on the Big Sky, and I think, some of the other newer Montana models.

My local dealer checked for me, and these doors are available thru Keystone for $135 ea. or $270 for both plus $100 to ship them to Tennessee. This seems a bit steep to me.

Home Depot can order the doors for $51 ea; they are woodgrain texture, but primed white. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with staining this type of door? I am concerned about them matching the rest of the doors. I thought about making some real ones out of Oak, but they would be pretty heavy, and would likely approach the Keystone option in price. Any suggestions?

[Les and Julie]

Hi -- sounds like a great idea. There is a gel stain. Our brother-in-law stained similar type doors with this and it worked nicely. The stain we used on real oak is Minwax Classic Oak Satin 370 -available at Wal-mart and the colour was perfect. They probably have a similar color available in the gel stains. Good luck -- let us know how you make out. Les & Julie

[neighborman]

Thanks! I'll give it a look.

[azstar]

Hello Neighborman,

We added some raised pannel doors to ours. We ordered them finished in the matching color from HomeDepot. Just had to install them. They made them to our measurements. They loaned us a sample to check the color match before we ordered. It worked out very well. I know others that have gone this way also. Have you asked them about this option?

Wish you well & Happy camping

[neighborman]

Hi, Steve,

No, I didn't ask if they could get them already stained for us. That would save a lot of hassle. I went to my local Home Depot, but it is a smaller store. Maybe I'd have better luck at one of the larger stores; I'll have to check that possibility out. Thanks for your input!