how to paint an exterior door

Give your paint a really good stir so the colour pigments are thoroughly mixed. Your Cart Set the door aside and allow it to air dry for about an hour. Should I paint the frame the same color as the door or the same as the trim? | phone}}{{storeData.phone | phone}}. Add a pop of color to any room in your home by giving the door a fresh coat of paint. PaintPerks® Terms & Conditions, generated on: Tue Jan 12 20:01:04 CST 2021. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 259,824 times. See typical tasks and time to paint an exterior door, along with per unit costs and material requirements. Make sure that you only use outdoor-approved paints on exterior doors. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. A paintbrush will give you a nice “hand-painted” look. Leave it to dry for four hours and apply to second coat. For one primed exterior door, you'll need at least one quart of paint. Coat the recessed areas first and then the faces of the panels. I am painting the exterior and interior faces of the door different colors. Lightly sand the door with 400-grit sandpaper. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Clean and prep the door. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020. 1 Exterior paint has antimicrobials that prevent the growth of mildew, mold, and algae, besides also holding up better to UV rays. The below steps demonstrate the right way to give your door an update, courtesy of the Room for Tuesday blog. You can get cheaper paint products, but they will crack, peel, and need to be painted over a lot sooner than a quality exterior paint. Painting vinyl is an inexpensive option, particularly when compared to buying tinted panels to fit over the door's surface. If you're painting a metal door, sand before cleaning it. Step 2: Sand Surface To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Wash the surface of the door with a degreasing dish soap and rinse with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue. If the door is metal or fiberglass, go in the direction that would be on a wood door, to create a natural look. Can’t wait until this is done and shows off a nice big brass handle and knocker. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Wait for it to completely dry before painting. Painting the front door is something you can take up as your weekend task. Finish painting the flat section of the exterior door using the foam roller – starting at the bottom half and then the top. Cut around the panels of the door or any other trim details using the paint brush. This article gave me, "I did not know the complete process for painting an outside door. Use an angled brush to paint any recessed panel areas Let dry. For this project, you’ll need paint and primer (if you’re not using a pre-primed, metal-clad door). When you're inside, the lock side of the door shows, so you'll want to paint the latch side of the door the same color as the interior. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. You may have to apply two coats to get full coverage. You may find it easier to have someone else help you with this. Otherwise, cleaning, sanding, washing, and drying the door will likely take a couple hours. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 19 August 2020. Step 2 - Applying Paint To Your Front Door. Rinse the door and allow it to dry before proceeding. Our side exterior door is fiberglass, and our new front door is steel, so if you have a wood door, I’d ask at the paint store. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Then apply the paint the next morning. For tips on choosing the best primer and paint for your exterior door, keep reading! What color should I paint the sides of the door? When you have the door off, lay it horizontally on a bench or across two sawhorses. Water-based paints tend to dry faster than oil paints, but oil paints will provide better protection for the surface underneath. Do I have to take the door off of its hinges to paint it? Clean the door by scrubbing the surface with a wet sponge, then lightly sand the surface. 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. Instructions for How to Paint a Door Step 1: Select Door Paint. For most paint, you may have to wait about two days before you can rehang the door. Modern Masters 1 qt. One trick to exterior paint prep is learning to always keep one eye on the weather. Wipe down the door to remove all the girt and grime. It’s best to remove the door from the hinges and remove all hardware first, but you can do a simplified method that involves taping up the hardware and painting the door in place. unlocking this expert answer. But from prep to painting, you'll get better results if you remove the door.. Patrick Coye. When painting a door on the hinges, don’t close the door until the primer or paint had had time to dry fully (see the manufacturer’s instructions for exact times). (0 items) This article has been viewed 259,824 times. When you’ve filled all the holes, set the door aside to let the filler dry. 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. Step 4: Apply Front Door Paint. Some products nowadays contain both paint and primer in one. This article was co-authored by Patrick Coye. For the exterior sides of the doors, the guy at Sherwin Williams recommended their Resilience line, which is exterior acrylic latex paint. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Give the paint many hours to dry before flipping the door over and painting the other side. After the paint has dried thoroughly you can remove any painters tape, put your door hardware back on and be back in business. Follow this order for best results when using SnapDry™ paint on your doors. Apply the paint with a synthetic brush in the direction of the grain. Pour the paint into a tray. Make sure the paint you choose is specifically formulated for exterior surfaces. You can use a low-nap or foam roller or a paintbrush for this. References Painting Prep Tips. This was very helpful.". If so, should the door stay open for 24 hours? Roll on one coat of Glidden Primer on the flat surfaces of the door. Step 4 Use a brush to apply the paint to the door, using long, even strokes. Paint can take anywhere from four to eight hours to dry enough to close the door. What is the minimum temperature at which I can use oil based paint? Painting a fiberglass entry door is much like painting a wood door, without a need for sanding before paint is applied. The 60° F guideline is ideal. Preparation time will depend on how much you have to do. Brush with the grain. You can use a brush to paint trim around recessed panels and a roller to paint the panels, themselves. So if anyone is afraid of painting their interior doors then maybe an exterior door would work for them. Evergreen landscaping and an ivy wreath on the door tie it in to the rest of the curb appeal. The longest part will be waiting for the door to dry after you wash off the dust and excess cleaner. Satin Elegant Front Door Paint is a high-quality, durable paint that allows you to change the look of your whole house in just one day. 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. Check out a map of cold weather areas and if vapor barriers are needed. Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s important to remove the tape when the paint is still wet, otherwise the paint may dry to the tape and peel off with it. Painting Specialist. Get fair costs for your SPECIFIC project requirements. I'm trying to achieve a super glossy finish. Use the vacuum with the dust attachment to clean off the door, then wipe it down with a wet rag. Step 5: Dry and Reattach. If the door has a vertical center stile, paint this next and then blend in the brush marks from the center stile when you paint the horizontal rails. Once the first coat of paint is completely dry, paint on a second and … This is what gave the door … Formulated with never-fade technology, the color withstands the elements to retain a … Use a brush for painting in small panels and over the entire surface to avoid the appearance of roller stipple. Allow the door to dry completely before reattaching the hardware and rehanging the door, if you removed it to paint. Use the angle trim brush to paint the paneled areas and around the hinges and hardware. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This item has been successfully added to your list. Tip: You can remove hardware to make repainting your doors quicker and easier. Wind and sun can cause the paint to dry too quickly, and humidity can prevent it from drying properly. When the primer has had enough time to dry (usually a couple hours), flip the door over and paint the other side. Subtotal: $0.00, {{storeData.address | sentenceCase}} {{storeData.city | sentenceCase}}, {{storeData.state}} {{storeData.zip}} {{storeData.phone Smooth out the paint, working with the grain. Use the type of primer and paint recommended by the door manufacturer. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. This step is not necessary if you're painting a wooden door. Protective Concrete Coatings & Waterproofers, How to Create a Starry Night Sky Accent Wall. Step 3: Apply Primer. Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Painting a door is a race against time. For instance, if you have holes to fill, giving the caulk time to dry will add a few hours to the job. Press a nail to the base of the hinge pin, which will be right on the point where the door pivots open and closed. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you currently have a water-based paint on your door, you'll have to paint over it with the same type of paint. How To Paint A Front Door. Approved. How do I know if a door I want to repaint was painted with an oil or water based paint? When you paint the inside and outside of a door different colors, you typically paint the sides based on what shows from the side of the door you're on. Some doors don't need primer, but typically a good-quality primer helps the topcoats of paint adhere better and creates a longer-lasting finish. If your door opens in, you’ll need to paint the hinged side of the door the same color. Depending on the condition of any old paint, you might need to strip it down too. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Keep in mind paints dry faster in higher temperatures, lower humidity, and when exposed to direct sunlight. Start at the corner and use a smooth motion to brush or roll the project area. If painting a wood door, always go with the grain. Karen Note: I actually did not shut my door completely for a few days just to give it time to cure before basking it in the sun, … Once the primer is dry, apply the first coat of Sherwin-Williams SnapDry™ door and trim paint. Gather your supplies. Use a roller to paint the remaining areas of the door in thin, even layers. Consider a paint additive to slow down drying and improve leveling. Generally, when the paint no longer feels tacky to the touch, the door can be reinstalled. Wash the surface of the door with a degreasing dish soap and rinse with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Next, apply a coat of primer. This typically is 50° F for latex paints. You'll most likely need a Phillips or flathead screwdriver to remove the hardware. Leave the door slightly open as you paint to make sure you paint all the edges. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Before you paint an exterior door, take the door off its hinges and remove any hardware. Give a light sanding to the entire door to give the paint a rough surface to grip. After applying a second coat of paint, allow the paint to dry for at least four hours. Soak a piece of cloth, or a cotton ball, with rubbing alcohol and wipe it across the painted surface. Make sure the tape or paper covers every surface that you don’t want painted. How do you determine whether paint is oil-based or water-based? https://www.lowes.com/projects/paint-stain-and-wallpaper/paint-wooden-front-door/project, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6VQWvQQJpY, https://www.masonite.com/pdf/finishing/HowToPaintEntryTear.pdf, http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/door/exterior/how-to-paint-exterior-door/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, Solvent, such as mineral spirits (for metal doors). Read the paint can for proper drying times for your specific paint. Tip: If you’re using a dark color to paint your door, use the grey Glidden primer formula or have the paint store add grey to the white Glidden formula. 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. When you're outside, the side where the hinges are will show when the door is open. Roll Paint on Flat Surfaces. Start with a dust-free door; wipe it down with a damp rag just before painting. If it’s too cold when you paint, the paint won’t dry. Is it possible to paint the exterior of the door with alkyd paint and primer while it's still hanging? Once it was completely dry, I did a second coat to finish it off nicely. The cost to Paint an Exterior Door starts at $95.38 - $218 per door, but can vary significantly with site conditions and options. Therefore, paint the hinge edge the same color as the outside. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Finally, let the paint dry completely before you replace the hardware and rehang the door. If you still can't figure it out, mix a little water with a little bit of the paint. Pros often paint doors in place. Expert Interview. The best paint for exterior doors: This definitely depends on your door material. What do I do if my door is sticking to the weather strip? This article has been viewed 259,824 times. One person can hold the door in place and the other can put in the hinge pins. Remove any weather-stripping until the door is completely dry and finished. A worn-out metal garage gate can drag down the appearance of your entire house, but a fresh coat of paint could help make it look crisp and clean—provided other parts of the exterior don’t need touch-ups. The same goes for oil-based paints – you’ll need to cover it with another oil-based paint. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dry time. 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. Once the door is covered in one layer of paint, allow it to completely dry before giving it a second coat (Emerald calls out four hours before recoating). It’s high time for a good before and after isn’t it? For tips on choosing the best primer and paint for your exterior door, keep reading! Stir the paint. Should I paint the door first or the trim? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. {"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":"