Painting or touching up your entryway doors can seem daunting, but it can do a lot to improve the market value and curb appeal of your home. Not everyone knows how to paint exterior doors, however.
Painting your exterior doors is not as challenging as it may seem. Yes, there is some time and labor involved. But once your front door is freshly painted, you will see that it is worth the effort.
In the following article, we will provide advice from the expert on how to paint exterior doors to best compliment your home and minimize the work.
What You Need to Know Before Painting Your Entry Doors
How to Choose a Paint Color
Choosing the black color for both exterior and interior door painting might present a bit of a quandary. You need to select a color that will match your home’s aesthetic and suit your personal preference. One of the best ways to determine the right color for your doors is to paint several paint chips to the door to see which you prefer most. Don’t forget to keep a paint swatch on your door for at least a day so that you can observe your color choice in various lighting.
When is The Best Time to Paint Exterior Doors?
If you reside in your current home for some time, you will inevitably have to repaint your exterior doors. Paint is prone to chipping as it ages, so you will at least need to touch up your current paint color. However, there is nothing wrong with painting your door an entirely new color. As interior door painting takes some time, leaving the job for a weekend or day off is best. As well, you will need to consider the weather conditions. You don’t want to paint your doors in the dead of winter. Nor do you wish to do so in the peak of summer. The best time would be in the fall or spring or on a mild summer’s day. Look for a day with clear skies, so the rain won’t damage your paint job. Additionally, you don’t want to paint the door under direct sunlight as it will cause the paint to dry too fast, which can lead to streaking.
How to Paint Exterior Doors
Remove the Exterior Door From its Frame
Make sure to proceed cautiously, and remove the door from the frame before placing it in an area with proper ventilation. Prepare your workspace by putting a drop cloth on the floor. Next, safely secure the door on a workstation or sawhorse(s). The door must be completely flat, or the paint will drip and cause streaks.
Remove any hardware, including the hinges, using a screwdriver. Don’t forget to use painter’s tape to cover accents or glass inserts.
Sand the Door Before Priming
The best way to remove debris, dirt, and excessive paint or stain that has built up on the door over the years is to sand the door. First, clean the door with a damp sponge. Then, use sandpaper (fine grit) to remove any remaining debris. Finally, use a clean, damp sponge to ensure the door is free of any remaining dirt.
Apply a Coat of Primer
First, apply a coat of adhesion primer to the front door using clean, even strokes with a foam paint roller to keep your paint smooth and clean. Use a foam brush for those surfaces that are hard to reach. Give the primer at least 24 hours to dry before painting.
Paint the Exterior Door
First, you should paint the panel trim using a small foam paintbrush. Then, paint the raised and or depressed areas using a paint roller. Next, you should paint the horizontal sections of the door, followed by the outermost vertical area and the innermost vertical.
Apply a Second Coat of Paint
To give your red exterior doors a flawless finish, apply a second coat of the same paint color. Allow it to dry completely before carefully reattaching the hinges and putting the door back on the frame. Finally, reaffix any hardware.
Should you need any further advice on how to paint exterior doors, be sure to reach out to your local exterior doors vendor. As well you can get a free quote for replacement doors.