how to paint a new exterior door

Step 4. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. Tape a few swatches (ours came from a midcentury paint palette) to your door. Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. A thorough cleaning will help lift away any lingering dirt or stains that might show through or prevent the new coat of paint from taking hold. You may find it easier to have someone else help you with this. What kind of paint do you use on a front door? If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Priming the surfaces on the exterior of your house is a crucial step in painting them because it seals the surface and ensures the final coat of paint will adhere well. Step 3 Place the door back on its … The same goes for oil-based paints – you’ll need to cover it with another oil-based paint. Step Six: Fixing Cracks Once the surface is smooth you’re ready to move on. All Right Reserved. Choosing a new color for your home’s front door can be overwhelming whether you’re going for a fresh coat of neutral or taking the plunge with a high-contrast hue. Expert Interview. The higher the quality of paint, the less often you will have to repaint the door. Clean the door by scrubbing the surface with a wet sponge, then lightly sand the surface. Chances are your door will need at least one additional coat if not more. Step 4 Use a brush to apply the paint to the door, using long, even strokes. Support wikiHow by Usually, this happens right in the corners underneath a window for any crevice that the door might have because of a decorative design. And if you want to add character to your home, then painting exterior doors is a simple and effective way to change the look of your house. On the first painting attempt, I did paint with a primer. Exterior doors, especially front doors, are often the first thing someone will notice about your house. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Apply primer and paint to the front (exterior side) of the door, as well as to its top, bottom and sides. Anyone can paint the door, but very few people know how to actually prepare it before starting the painting process. Then, patch it, sand it, and use painter’s tape and paper to cover any windows or hardware that can’t be removed so they won’t get paint-splattered. Our range of colours can be used to brighten up all areas of the garden too, like garden furniture. This article was co-authored by Patrick Coye. To remove the door, unscrew the hinges and place the door on top of sawhorses. You may have to apply two coats to get full coverage. Dip in a sponge and wipe down the entire door, starting at the top. Pour the paint into a tray. Thin the latex or oil-based paint by adding paint thinner into the mix according to recommended proportions on the product directions. In the process of painting all those doors, I’ve developed this easy method for how to paint a door without brush marks or streaks! The surface needs to feel smooth and be free of rust. Skip this step if you are using a pre-treated door … Use a small brush to paint your door. Also, if I did, the title wouldn’t say “the lazy way.” ***This post contains affiliate or referral links. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Make sure to cover the floor if you don’t want paint on it! Preparing the door for a fresh coat of paint If your door has old paint on it, what you do will depend on the condition of the paint: If the finish is free of cracking and peeling, but simply needs a fresh coat, the surface can be lightly sanded* and cleaned, and a fresh coat of Glidden Premium Exterior Paint … Let the primer dry overnight before sanding. One person can hold the door in place and the other can put in the hinge pins. If you buy a new wood door, it may not be primed. The best paint for front doors is semi-gloss exterior latex to give it a nice shine plus it is much easier to clean. To paint a door that’s still on the hinges, clean and prepare it one day, prime it the next morning, and allow the primer to dry so you can close the door at night. The minimum application temperature on the label should be followed carefully. This will lessen the number of coats of paint needed for full coverage. The below steps demonstrate the right way to give your door an update, courtesy of the Room for Tuesday blog. Allow the coat to dry for a few hours to a day, depending on the recommended drying time. Slide a 4- or 6-inch synthetic mini roller cover onto a mini roller handle. If you cleaned a metal door with solvent, wash it with water mixed with a few drops of dish soap. Next, apply a coat of primer. Also, secure all hardware. A couple of quick passes is all it takes. By using our site, you agree to our. Use a good-quality, latex paint formulated for exterior use, and stir it thoroughly with a stir stick to make sure the paint is completely mixed. Paint Roll on one light coat of your exterior paint on the flat areas of the door. Then paint the raised surfaces with a small roller. Paint the first coat, focussing on any raised door panels first, and then paint the rest of the door. Step Eight: Painting the Door Prepping an exterior door for painting is the most important stage. Your tips are super helpful and make me want to consider painting our own door in the near future. Will a new door need sealing before applying primer, or does the primer do this? Step Ten: Additional Coats Finally, let the paint dry completely before you replace the hardware and rehang the door. If you have an old metal exterior door, you’ll need to sand any rust down. Step Seven: Painting Techniques Place the door on sawhorses and then you’re ready to paint. The colors will appear quite different outdoors than they … wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Soak a piece of cloth, or a cotton ball, with rubbing alcohol and wipe it across the painted surface. Steps for Painting a Door. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Seal the kick plate with a small bead of caulk before installation. Step Five: Priming the Exterior Door The 60° F guideline is ideal. Follow these tips to create a brand new look. Therefore, paint the hinge edge the same color as the outside. Switch to a microfiber paint roller to paint the rest of the door. When you're outside, the side where the hinges are will show when the door is open. Rinse the door by wiping it down with a … If painting a wood door, always go with the grain. Allow the door 24 hours to dry. Allow it to dry. If not, it’s oil paint. Generally, when the paint no longer feels tacky to the touch, the door can be reinstalled. After the door is dry, wipe down with a clean cloth and with a tack cloth to remove any dirt or dust that may have accumulated. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you are not careful sometimes you will get runs on your metal exterior door when painting it. But, after that, I just sanded the doors down slightly, ensuring they were clean and free of debris prior to painting again. If you don't want to remove the hardware, mask it with tape. Remove any metal fixtures and fittings including the numbers, door handle and post box. Step Three: Sanding the Door If it’s too cold when you paint, the paint won’t dry. Additional items needed for painting and repainting may include: Step One: To Prime or Not Prime? Clean the door frame with grease-cutting soap. How to paint a door. How to paint an exterior door. I decided I wanted a wood front door to coordinate with our wood-look garage door and wood-accent exterior lights, but I did not want to strip and restain the door: too messy! Remove the door from its hinge pins with the hammer and place it on the sawhorses. Make sure the tape or paper covers every surface that you don’t want painted. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This will help prevent drips and runs. *Pro tip - For the best results, paint when the temperature is between 50° F and 90° F and humidity is between 65% and 70%. Day after day it looked worse and worse. An easy way to tell if the old paint on your door is latex or oil is to put a small amount of one of these onto a cotton ball or cloth - alcohol, hand sanitizer, acetone or nail polish and then rub it over a small area of the door. The colors will appear quite different outdoors than they do inside your home. Back Exterior Paint & Coatings Exterior Paint ... Add a pop of color to any room in your home by giving the door a fresh coat of paint. Painting A New Exterior Wooden Door. I am hopeful they will endure over time, but I can’t be certain. Painting an exterior door is a great way to add a tasteful accent to your home and to bring its look and style together. Before you can paint an exterior door, you need to clean it, sand it, and prime it, and this requires some tools. Paint the door again as described above, allowing it to dry before applying a third coat. After painting the doors so many times, I was a bit uncertain how best to proceed. What kind of paint do you use on a front door? Choosing a new color for your home’s front door can be overwhelming whether you’re going for a fresh coat of neutral or taking the plunge with a high-contrast hue. When you have the door off, lay it horizontally on a bench or across two sawhorses. If a second coat is recommended (read the product label), allow the first coat to dry first. Take off all of the hardware on the door with a screwdriver such as hinges, door lock and handle. Before priming your door be sure to wipe off any excess dust or rust and rub down the surface with a tack cloth. Also, if I did, the title wouldn’t say “the lazy way.” ***This post contains affiliate or referral links. First, paint the mouldings around the glass (1) with a cutting-in brush. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Paint-an-Exterior-Door-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Paint-an-Exterior-Door-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Paint-an-Exterior-Door-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1353250-v4-728px-Paint-an-Exterior-Door-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"