Your front door can become worn, chipped and faded, which may make you wonder if you should repaint it. Painting your front door will enhance your property’s curb appeal and refresh your home’s look. You can paint nearly any door made of fiberglass, wood or steel. These six simple steps will explain how to repaint your exterior door without taking it off its hinges.
1. Choose a Color
You need to decide what color to paint your door. It helps to physically see the colors, so tape paint swatches to your door and look at them in different types of light. Make sure the paint you are looking at is for exteriors.
You can get acrylic resin or latex-based paint, but latex-based is more resistant to chipping. Semi-gloss paint is usually ideal, as it’s eye-catching and easy to clean.
2. Gather Supplies
Your next step is to gather supplies. You’ll need:
- Paint: Approximately one quart of paint is all you’ll need, but you may need more if your door is currently a dark color and you are painting it a lighter one.
- Primer: Primer helps your paint last longer. You can buy it separately or choose an all-in-one paint.
- Brushes: You’ll need an angled brush, a roller, and possibly a specialty brush if your door has ornate detailing.
- Drop cloth: A drop cloth will protect your floor and the ground, porch or patio outside from paint stains.
- Painter’s tape: Painter’s tape will protect trim, hardware and glass and help you get clean, even lines.
- All-purpose cleaner: Use an all-purpose cleaner to clean the door and let it dry thoroughly before priming and painting.
- Scraper: Scrapers remove loose or flaking paint for a smooth work surface.
- Sanding block: Sanding blocks make your door smooth.
3. Wait For Nice Weather
Your door must remain open to dry properly, so it’s best to begin this project when the weather isn’t too hot, too cold or too windy. Start in the morning so you can close the door at night.
4. Clean the Door
Remove all the nonpermanent hardware to make cleaning and painting easier. Scrub the door with an all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt. Fill in cracks with caulk, if necessary, before moving on to the next step.
5. Sand and Prime
Use a scraper to remove any loose or flaking paint. Then, sand the door until it is smooth. You can put a drop cloth down to protect the floor and use painter’s tape to protect any hardware or glass panels. If you need to use a primer, apply it with a roller and let it dry for one day.
6. Apply the Paint
Start by using the angled paintbrush on the trim and details of the door. Then paint the rest of the door with a paintbrush or roller from the top to bottom. Use painter’s tape to separate different areas while they dry.
A paintbrush will give your door a hand-painted look, but a roller will make the process quicker. You can achieve the hand-painted look by using a roller for the first coat and a paintbrush for the second. The door needs to dry completely before applying the second coat.
Browse Our Entry Doors
Are you noticing that your door may be too old, chipped or cracked to restore with a new coat of paint? Is your door just not matching the style you want? If it’s time for a new entry door, Quality Overhead Door can help. We are a family-owned-and-operated business, and our goal is to help you find a door that looks great and keeps your home secure. Browse our wide selection of entry doors today to get started.
Additional Resources on Entry Doors:
- How to Stain Your Front Door
- Should You Paint or Stain Your Front Door
- Small Home Improvements Pack a Big Punch