Blog>How-To Guides>How to paint a door
Last updated: 13 October 2023
How to paint a door
Whether you're looking to paint your doors as part of a redecoration project or as a standalone activity, doing so can help you breathe new life into them, protect them from wear and tear, and improve the value of your home.
Whether you're looking to paint your doors as part of a redecoration project or as a standalone activity, doing so can help you breathe new life into them, protect them from wear and tear, and improve the value of your home.
Your goal might be to restore an old, worn kitchen door to its former glory, or perhaps you want to paint an exterior wooden or uPVC door.
In any case, this guide will explain how to do it correctly and how to get help from a professional painter in your area if you don't have the required skills or tools.
For best results, we always recommend hiring a professional.
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How to paint a front door
Front doors are typically made out of hardwood or uPVC. The painting process is similar for doors of both materials, but there are important differences. Here's how to paint an exterior door:
Supplies needed
Sandpaper
Cleaning supplies
Primer
Paint
Paintbrushes
Painter's tape
Drop cloth
Screwdriver
Step one: Remove hardware
No matter the door material, the first step when painting a door is always to remove the hardware, like handles, locks and knockers, using a screwdriver.
Step two: Clean the door
Next, clean the door using a cloth and some mild soap. Allow the door to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step three: Prepare the surface
When working with a wooden door, sand the surface to make it smooth before priming and painting. Start with a medium grit to remove any old paint and progress to a finer grit.
With uPVC, you can skip this stage entirely.
Step four: Protect surroundings
Place a drop cloth beneath the door to protect the floor from drips and spills. Likewise, use painter's tape to protect windows, trims and any other areas you don't want to get paint on.
Step five: Apply primer
Use a wood- or uPVC-specific primer, depending on the material you're working with. Apply evenly using a brush or roller and allow it to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Step six: Apply paint
As with the primer, it's important to use a paint designed for the material of your door.
Apply the first coat evenly, making sure not to overload the brush and cause drips.
Allow it to dry completely, according to the manufacturer's directions, then apply a second coat if necessary.
Step seven: Reattach hardware
Once the paint it completely dry, reattach the hardware and you're finished!
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How to paint a wooden door
The process for how to paint interior doors is slightly different compared to exterior doors. Here's how to do it:
Supplies needed
Sandpaper
Cleaning supplies
Primer
Paint
Paintbrushes
Painter's tape
Drop cloth
Screwdriver
Step one: Preparation
It's not strictly necessary to detach the door whilst painting, but it can help you achieve a more even coat and access edges more easily.
Leaving it attached can make painting slightly more difficult, but it does mean you can still use the door while the paint dries.
Either way, remove all hardware from the door, like handles, and wipe it down with a soapy cloth.
Once it's completely dry, sand the surface down, starting with a medium-grit sandpaper and moving to finer grits, to smoothen it out and help the primer and paint stick.
Wipe again to remove dust.
Step two: Set up your painting space
Prepare your painting space by laying your drop cloth or plastic sheet. Apply painter's tape to areas you don't want to paint, such as glass inserts.
Step three: Prime and paint
Apply a coat of primer designed for interior wood, using even strokes. Allow it to dry according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface again and wipe away the dust.
Next, apply a thin, even coat of paint using a brush or roller. Begin with the edges and more detailed areas before moving onto the larger surfaces.
Allow the first coat to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, then lightly sand before applying another coat to ensure a smooth finish.
Repeat this process until you reach your desired number of coats.
Step four: Reattach hardware
Once the paint is completely dry, reattach the hardware and the door itself, if you removed it.
Inspect your work to make sure there are't any uneven areas or missed patches, then touch up as needed.
How to get help with door painting
If you need some more help with your painting project, perhaps because you want to know how to paint a garage door, which paint is best for front doors, or how much it costs to paint a door, don't hesitate to get in touch with a local painter/decorator.
To get in touch with quality tradespeople in your area, simply enter your postcode into the search box below.
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