If you have a fiberglass door, latex-based paint is always a great choice. One of the most important reasons to opt for latex-based paint is that it's more environmentally friendly and produces less paint fumes than oil-based paints.
Use acrylic, polyester, polyurethane, or epoxy resin paint on your fiberglass door. Try to pick a paint that matches the type of fiberglass for the best results. Do not use oil-based paints because these can damage the door.
PAINTING FIBERGLASS DOORS
This material usually does not need to be primed, but painting is required. Wait for a good dry day without too much sunlight shining on the door if you're painting with the door in place or prepare a well-ventilated dry space to work in if you're removing the door.
If your door is fiberglass or steel, consider using a foam roller to avoid brush or roller marks. A paint brush - for the details and edgework. Assorted cloths, sponges, etc - for wiping away various residues, splashes and other inevitable messes. Painter's tape - to mask anything you DON'T want painted.
Failure to use a high-quality paint with good blocking resistance may result in a door that sticks shut even after the paint has dried. Promptly paint all exterior surfaces, including door panel edges, with two coats of quality exterior paint with good blocking resistance.
Use a hard topcoat.
Fiberglass doors require a hard, polyurethane or acrylic topcoat finish. Otherwise in hot environments the weatherstripping may stick to softened paint and damage the door.
Acrylic paint adheres well to fiberglass, overcoming one of the main challenges to painting this material. Acrylic paint is less likely to crack and blister, and will hold up well to cleaning. This water-based paint is easy to apply, and contains fewer chemicals, so is more environmentally friendly.
Drawbacks of Fiberglass Exterior Doors
The disadvantages of fiberglass doors include: Price – While not as costly as some types of wood, fiberglass is one of the more expensive options on the market. Sizing – The material is difficult to trim, so it's not well-suited for exterior doors that aren't standard sizes.
Bulls-Eye® 1-2-3 is ideal for priming fibreglass.
Fiberglass doors that come in a dark woodgrain finish may not need to be painted, but lighter colors may show wear over time and benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Fiberglass doors can be painted any color, so it's really up to the homeowner's personal preference.
Latex paint is less expensive and better for interior projects, while acrylic paint is more durable and better for exterior projects. Acrylic paint is mildew- and water-resistant, making it a great option for bathrooms, as well. Latex paint is easier to apply and is ideal for large surface areas.
Both the semi-gloss and high gloss paints are a good choice to apply on the front doors, but in order to decide which one to choose, you have to consider the location of the door first. No matter which option you choose, gloss paint is the best option when it comes to applying paint on the front door.
Rinse well and allow to dry. Prime first with an alkyd- or acrylic-based primer and allow to dry. Then paint with a high quality, exterior grade, acrylic-latex house paint, OR, Use a . To order a , contact your local Therma-Tru dealer, visit us on the Internet at or call toll free at .
Since your door will be exposed to rain, sun, wind and other elements, you'll need a flexible and mold-resistant exterior paint. The most common kinds of exterior door paint are acrylic resin or latex-based and with a semi-gloss finish. Latex-based exterior paint is the most flexible type and is quite popular.
Fibreglass can be tough to paint over as it needs to be suitably prepared and primed for topcoats to properly adhere and stick to the surface. Zinsser's Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is ideal for priming fibreglass as it provides a perfect key for topcoats.
IT'S ALL IN THE PREP
Start by sanding the area you want to paint with 320 grit sandpaper. A DA (dual-action) sander works best for this. Use a 6-inch round pad if you have an air driven sander or a 5-inch round pad if using an electric sander.
Smooth Surfaces
Painters often use traditional rollers for uneven exterior walls and foam rollers for smooth interior walls, doors, and cabinets. Foam rollers glide along a smooth flat surface very easily and dispense the paint on the surfaces evenly.
Most manufacturers would like you to believe the answer is yes. Although other companies would require painting once every 18-24 months, conservation constructions doors work in an entirely different way.
Remove all the hardware and mask off anything you don't want painted, such as the glass insert. Lightly scuff sand the surface with a Scotch Brite pad or fine sandpaper. Wipe the door with acetone to clean any dust or residue from the surface. Allow acetone to dry from the surface before applying paint.