The Best Way to Paint Your Front Door
Natural wooden doors are beautiful but wouldn’t it be nice to add an exciting pop of color to your home? It is easier than you think to make this small change in your home’s appearance!
Step 1: Remove & Clean the Door
It is crucial to remove your door BEFORE beginning the painting process. Use a slot screwdriver to remove the hinge pins. Doors are heavier than they look so make sure you have help when lifting and moving it onto some sawhorses.
Once off of its hinges make sure to remove all of the hardware from the door, including the knocker, peephole, and doorknob.
Gently clean the door with an all-purpose household cleaner that has been diluted. Wet a large sponge and wipe down all surfaces. To dry simply wipe with a soft, cleaning cloth.
Step 2: Prep the Door
If the door has any cracks make sure to fill them with a quick-drying wood filler. Once the wood filler has dried, sand until it is smooth and flush with the door. A smooth surface for painting yields the best results.
Step 3: Apply Primer
Primer is not always necessary if the existing paint is in good condition. If you are using a darker color however such as red, it is advisable to take advantage of primer.
Make sure all 6 sides of the door are primed as this will ensure for proper moisture absorption. If there are still cracks present they may be filled with caulk. Once the caulk has dried it is necessary to re-prime the affected area.
If there are any paint drips, be sure to use a fine-grit sandpaper (180 grit) to smooth down the surface. Once finished sanding it is important to remove any dust. An old paintbrush or rag is perfect for removing dust.
Step 4: Painting
No you are ready to rock and roll! You should start painting with and angled paint brush, making sure to tackle any panels or corners. Using too much paint will cause puddling which you should avoid.
Once any panels or corners have been painted use a paint roller to finish the job. Always roll WITH the grain of the wood to make sure the color is consistent all over.
Continue applying layers until your desired color has been reached. The process is the same for each layer meaning that you should always start with the corner brush and end with the roller.