_1350.png "How to Paint Your Front Door")
To paint your front door with a professional finish, follow our simple guide. For a new door you can start at step one. An existing door may need to have old and flaking paint stripped off first, and for this see our guide “How to Strip Paint”.
Remove Door Hardware
Remove all door hardware such as knockers, key covers, door handles, etc. Tip: if your door is a hardwood door, it may have knots. Apply knot sealer to the knots to prevent any seepage of resin through your freshly painted door.
Step 2
Sand Door
It is important to start with a flat, smooth surface so fill any cracks, imperfections, holes or dents with flexible filler. Allow the filler to harden before proceeding. Sand the entire door surface with a sanding block while wearing protective gloves. Finish sanding all of the flat surfaces with fine grade sandpaper to remove any slightly rough bits. Dry brush and wipe the door down with a cloth to ensure no dust remains.
Plan
When painting on the primer and the paint, it is best to do one section of the door at a time. We recommend following the plan pictured.
Apply Primer
Apply one coat of primer or undercoat. Use one that matches the colour of the topcoat as much as possible.
Sand Door
When the undercoat or primer is thoroughly dry, gently rub over it with fine sandpaper and then dry brush and wipe it down with the cloth to ensure no dust remains on the door.
Apply Paint
Apply the top coat with a suitably sized paint brush. The top coat for a front door is usually gloss because this is more durable, weatherproof and easier to clean than a matt finish. When it has thoroughly dried, decide whether your door needs another coat or not. If it does, repeat steps 5 and 6. Then reattach your door hardware.