Should I Paint That? How to Paint Exterior Doors
Whether you want to give your front door an update or put a fresh coat on the main door, it’s important to know the difference between painting interior and exterior doors. Exterior doors face the elements. Extreme temperatures, rain, snow, dirt, and grime. To hold up to these conditions, exterior doors need paint that can withstand harsh conditions.
Finding the right paint
When shopping for paint, look for exterior or interior/exterior paint. Unlike interior paint, exterior paint will typically have a glossy finish, as opposed to flat or matte finishes. Glossy tends to hold up better.
Also, you can choose between oil-based and latex-based (also called water-based) paints. Oil-based paints are more durable than latex-based, but they take longer to dry and are harder to remove. You can find exterior paints for each type. If you’re painting a front door without a storm door, oil-based might be your best option.
But, if you’re painting over an existing coat or you’re adding a fresh coat of the same color, you’ll need to choose the same type of paint. You never want to use oil-based on latex-based or vice versa.
Finding the right color paint
To find the right color, we recommend gathering paint swatches and taping them to the exterior door. Keep them up throughout the day, so you can see them in different types of light. Once you’ve narrowed it down, get samples of the paints, so you can paint a larger area of the door. This will give you a better idea of which color is right for your door.
The color is important, but don’t forget about the primer. We always recommend using primer because it covers minor imperfections and helps the new coat adhere. If you’re painting over a previously stained or darker colored paint, use a primer with a tint closer to the color you’ll be painting it. If you don’t, you’ll need to add more coats, and your color could turn out darker than intended.
Pro Tip: To save money, you can look for an exterior paint-and-primer product. This can save you time and money.
The painting process
This is the fun part! You can paint the door on the hinges or off. We recommend removing the door and the hardware to prevent getting paint on the hardware and frame. Once the door is cleared of hardware, lay it down on a set of saw horses or a table. Sawhorses are better because less surface area comes in contact with the door.
Next, wipe the surface down removing any dirt or dust. If there are imperfections, you can sand those down, as well. But remember to wipe away any particles.
Once the door is clean, apply the primer with a low nap roller and brush for details. Follow the directions for your particular primer. Wait until the primer is fully dried before applying the first coat of paint.
After the primer is dry, you can start painting. Use a low nap roller (not the one used for the primer) and a brush for details. If you like the look of brush strokes, use a brush on the rolled areas before the paint dries. Allow the first coat to dry before adding the second.
While the surface is covered, allow it to dry thoroughly. You’ll want to choose a warm, dry, sunny area for the best drying results.
Once the paint is dry, attach the hardware and hang the door. Now you can enjoy the curb appeal of your beautiful, freshly painted exterior door.
