How to Paint a Front Door

Remove the door

Removing the door and hardware allows for a smooth finish and even brush strokes. The optimal temperature to paint your front door is between 65 and 70 degrees F. If you don’t have a storm door, plan to cover the door opening while you work.

• Set up a work surface, like a folding table or plastic sawhorses. Lay down a drop cloth to protect your floors.
  • If using sawhorses, cover the tops with drop cloths to avoid scratching the door.
• Pry a flathead screwdriver between the top of the hinge pins and the hinge.
• Tap the bottom of the screwdriver handle with a hammer to push the hinge pins loose.
• Carefully remove the door from the door jamb and set it on the work surface.

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Do pre-paint prep

As with any paint job, this step is crucial to the project outcome. The better the prep, the better the final result.

• Remove all the hardware: doorknob, deadbolt, hinges and nameplates.
• Clean the door with a mild detergent. Rinse and let dry.
• Scrape any loose or chipping paint using a paint scraper or putty knife.
• Fill any dings or scratches with an all-purpose plastic wood filler.
• Sand the entire door with 120-grit sandpaper, smoothing over any imperfections and flaws. “If the previous coat was shiny, you’ll want to sand and scuff that surface as well,” Pitrat says.
• Vacuum or blow off all the dust and debris that may have been collected.
• Wipe the entire door with a clean, damp cloth.

Apply the primer coat

Pitrat recommends priming wood and fiberglass doors with an acrylic primer. For metal doors, use a metal primer, or skip the primer and use a direct-to-metal paint.

• Use a paintbrush to apply a coat of primer to all the bevels, edges and inside corners of your door. Then, use a low nap roller to prime the panels, stiles and rails of the door.
• Allow the primer to dry completely, then flip the door over and prime the other side.

Pro-tip: Ensure the type of primer is compatible with the paint you’re using.

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Apply the topcoat

Umana recommends using semi-gloss or high-gloss paint for front doors. “These are usually high-use areas, and glossy paints are easier to clean,” he says.

High-sheen paints are also very unforgiving of surface imperfections, so it is important to apply even, smooth topcoats. Take your time, work methodically, and use a new or gently used paintbrush.

• Use a paintbrush to paint all the bevels, edges and inside corners.
• Paint the panels, stiles and rails using a low nap roller. Stop and check for drips periodically.
• Allow the paint to dry completely, then flip the door over and paint the other side.
• If changing colors or painting a previously unpainted door, apply two coats.

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Reinstall the door

Let the paint thoroughly dry before reinstalling.

• After the paint has dried completely, reinstall all the hardware on the door. The paint is dry but will not be cured yet, so be careful not to scratch the surface.
• Reinstall the door by aligning the hinges together and reinserting the hinge pins. This can be tricky – be careful not to pinch your fingers and enlist a helper if necessary.

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FAQ

What type of paint should you use for a front door?

Semi-gloss acrylic latex exterior paint is ideal for steel, wood and fiberglass front doors and is recommended by both pros.

Direct-to-metal paints are also great for steel doors. They eliminate the need for a separate primer “and include rust inhibitors,” Pitrat says.

High-gloss oil-based exterior paint is durable and resistant to chipping and cracking. It’s great for steel or wood doors.

Do you paint the sides of a front door?

“Yes, you should paint the edges of a front door,” Umana says. If the added layer of paint makes the door difficult to open and close, he recommends sanding the door edge down to a bare surface and then adding a thin coat of paint.

Can I spray-paint my front door?

If you want a super smooth finish, apply acrylic or oil-based paint with an airless paint sprayer.

About the Experts

• Joseph Umana is the owner of Painting Belen, a residential painting company in Western Massachusetts. Joseph is a licensed Home Improvement Contractor in the State of Massachusetts with nine years experience in the painting industry.
• Lee Pitrat is the owner of Florence Paint and Decorating Center located in Florence, Massachusetts. He has over thirty years experience in the paint industry, both in retail and as a professional painter.