Paint or varnish?

[1400spincycle]

My DP and I are arguing over what to do with the front door. We’ve moved house and now have a wooden front door- but it is water damaged and needs sorting. Partner A really likes natural wood and has sanded it back and intends to re varnish the door. Partner B thinks the door finish is uneven and discoloured and it would be better to paint it.

Who is BU? Or - what would mumsnet do?

This is the door in question…

woodstain /varnish as I like wooden doors to look like proper wood .
also paint chips more easily .

I'd paint it after dithering for about 12 months. I'm not sure that wood goes with those bricks. Maybe a light duck egg blue?

Bump

Has the sanding been finished? It may need to be gone over again with a very fine sandpaper to try and disguise the water marks, as there may be highlighted even more by varnishing, unless there is going to be slight stain on the varnish, which might help to cover them up.

If Partner B has gone to all the time and effort to sand it back, it would be a shame to paint over it, unless after varnishing it, it doesn’t look great. You could always then just paint on top of the varnish.

It needs much more sanding, much heavier grit, then gradually getting finer right down to a scrubbie pad.

Then matt finish Osmo top oil, at least 6 coats, and it will look amazing.

Varnish will even up the discoloration. I would use an old fashioned oil based varnish for longevity. I think it would be a shame to cover this solid oak door in paint. It has character.
Ultimately it is a question of choice. Paint does protect wood better from the elements and uv light.