Painting your front door sounds like a simple and fun job. Doesn’t it? Crafty homeowners love to do small home renovation activities such as painting a door or part of the wall. If you have painted before, you probably know what it takes to get the job done the right way.
However, there’s a difference between painting a door and a wall. Since your home’s front door plays a key role in leaving a good first impression, it’s important to get the paint job done in a professional way.
Don’t like the faded, dull surface of your front door?
Whenever you feel like your front door is getting dull and faded, and the old paint is chipping, consider repainting it.
When it comes to a front door, you have to consider a number of factors: paint color, quality, finish, etc. From smoothing surfaces to masking hardware, a paint job is a step-by-step process to improve the appearance of something.
Tools and materials you need to paint a front door
From lifting your door from hinges to painting and installing, you need certain tools and materials. Some of the important tools and materials include:
- Paint brushes
- Paint scraper
- Screwdriver set
- Drill and bits
- Compressed-air paint spray gun
- Step ladder
- Paint and priming material
- Sandpaper or sanding sponges
- Putty
How to paint a front door
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to paint a front door:
1. Choose a paint
So, the first step is to choose which type of paint, color, and finish you want to use for this painting project. If your door is of average size, you probably need at least one-quarter of the paint.
2. Remove the door from the hinges
Before you start the actual painting, there is some sort of preparation work that needs to be done. First up, it would be a great idea to take your door off its hinges and remove all of its hardware components. If you’re painting a door prior to installing, this will increase your chances of getting the job done right the first time.
3. Mask of areas you don’t want to paint
You can use a razor blade and masking tape to cover areas of your door that don’t need to be painted. Be sure to apply the masking tape tightly so that paint can’t penetrate through the edges. A poor masking job can ruin your project. So, make sure to mask long straight lines with care.
4. Remove chipped or thick paint
This is where you need a paint scraper to remove imperfections and chipped paint from the surface. Some doors have running paint lines that should be removed before you start the painting job.
5. Sand and fill wherever needed
Sanding will help spot areas you might have missed with the scrapper. Aggressive sanding is a good way to smooth out rough doors and prepare them for primer and paint. The next step is to use a putty knife to fill holes and divots in your door’s surface. Don’t forget to sand over the putty spots until they’re smooth.
6. Apply Primer
The purpose of primer is to mask underlying color differentiations. However, the primer also protects the door’s material and makes the paint stick to the surface. Use primer in an even coat over your entire front door. To get rid of imperfections caused due to primer, use sandpaper. No need to apply too much pressure. You can use a shop vac to remove dust.
7. Apply Paint
This is a fun part of the job. Let’s use a brush or roller to apply paint to your door’s surface. Be sure to make long, smooth strokes, and don’t over-coat. Let the paint dry on one side of the door before you flip it over to do the rest of the job. After the first coat, see if the door needs one more coat.
8. Remove the masking tape and rehang
Once done with painting, remove the masking tape. Be gentle when doing so to avoid damaging any finish line. Now rehang the door with the assistance of someone. If you don’t know how to install a door, feel free to call a carpenter.
About TSP Contracting
If you feel painting your front door requires a more professional painting service, consult a painting contractor. TSP Contracting is one of the best painting contractors in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC. We serve both homeowners and business owners. Contact us for more information!