Door: Painting a Front Door

Painting a Front Door

If your front door is faded and peeling or you are just in the mood for change, a fresh coat of paint is a quick way to improve your home’s curb appeal.

Step 1: Whether you choose to remove the door and place it on a pair of saw horses or you decide to paint the door where it stands, you will want to cover the ground with a drop cloth or news paper. For eastern or western exposed homes, plan ahead so you will not be painting in direct sunlight.

Step 2: If the door hardware is easily removed take it off before going any further. Otherwise cover it completely with blue painters tape.

Step 3: Scrape away the loose paint and fill any holes or cracks with exterior wood putty. If you have a steel door auto body filler such as Bondo works best.

Step 4: Sand all surfaces to be painted with 100 grit paper. You may need a slightly coarser grit to smooth any rough spots.
Step 5: Wash the door with a non-residual cleaner such as TSP or Dirtex. Allow the door to dry completely before proceeding.

Step 6: Prime any bare spots with a good exterior primer. For troubled doors an oil base primer works best. If red is your color of choice, prime the entire surface area with a gray primer to ensure proper coverage.

Step 7: Once the primer has dried completely use a good quality brush to apply the paint. Begin with any edges, trim or detailed areas and then move on to the flat surfaces of the door. If you are using a semi-gloss or glossy paint, be sure to stir the paint periodically throughout the process to maintain an even surface sheen.

Step 8: Allow the first coat to dry completely and then apply a second coat in the same manner.
For deep, rich colors a third coat of paint may be necessary. Once the paint has dried completely, remove any tape, re-install any hardware, clean up your tools and close the door on a job well done.

A fresh coat of paint on your front door can enhance both your mood and your property value.

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