Front door paint can be applied using brushes or rollers, but professionals use rollers for a smooth finish. If your door has panels, painting the panels first gives you the best results: Use the roller's curved edge or the angled brush to paint the molding profiles around the panel edges.
The easiest way to paint a door is while it is in its frame on its hinges. If you remove the door from the frame, the frame may shift and the door may not fit or function properly when replaced. Another reason to leave it on its hinges is that you can paint both sides at the same time.
Lay the door flat to avoid drips and runs
For convenience, it's tempting to leave a door hanging on its hinges when you paint. But for a smooth finish, you have to lay it flat and remove the hinges, knobs and other hardware.
Step 1 – Use painter's tape to cover the hinges. Use your finger to smooth the tape along the edge of the hinge. Protecting the hinges will make it easier to paint the door. Step 2 – Use an exacto knife and run it along the edge of the hinge.
A minimum of 2 coats applied. If you are painting a primed door: A latex or water-based paint can be used. A minimum of 2 coats is recommended however, you can apply as many coats to acquire desired finish.
If it's in good order then a simple re-coat will usually suffice, however if the paint is old, flaky and discoloured then it will need to be removed, the door sanded back and then fresh paint applied to produce a decent finish.
1” brush makes light work of door frames, stairway spindles and small edges. 1 ½” brushes are best for larger door frames and skirting boards. 2” brush should be used for cupboard doors and dado rails. 2 ½” brushes are excellent for painting panelled doors, beams and large furniture.
A satin or semi-gloss finish is the best for doors both inside and outside the home. Glossy finishes offer the best protection against damage and deterioration, while semi-gloss paint is easy to clean, given the paint dries in a way that allows accumulated dirt and grime to wipe off with little effort required.
The best way to paint your door is by using both a paintbrush and a foam roller. You should begin by brushing a light coat of paint on the door. Because the brush can leave drips or runs, it is best to do this first, before the rest of the door is painted.
It's your favourite and it took ages to select. Being your favourite colour, you are also using this palette inside, in which case, it is absolutely fine to paint the interior of your front door, the same as the outside colour. It doesn't matter that the rest of the doors throughout your house are white.
Hinge Adjustments
Thick paint may make a door too big for the frame, and, as a result, the paint will stick to the frame when the door is closed. The door may stick tight enough to warrant yanking to open it or shoving to securely close it. Sometimes sticking paint can be resolved by tightening or adjusting the hinges.
Allow the exterior paint to dry and lightly sand the door. This will give you an ultra-smooth finish. Wipe the surface clean and apply a second coat of paint following the order specified above. Allow the whole exterior door to dry fully, about 24 hours from your final coat.
Interior doors take a lot of use worse than any other surface of your home. As such, the sheen you choose should stand up to the years and not show it. Semigloss is the best paint finish for interior doors and trim.
What's the best color for interior doors? While there's not one “best” color, the most popular colors are whites, off whites, grays, and blacks. But it's your home so you should use whatever color you want, regardless of trends. However, if you're thinking about resale you might want to stick with a popular shade.
But for a front door semi gloss or high-gloss is a better option because it can be cleaned more easily.
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.
You want to use a mini foam roller to paint an interior door. The high density foam will prevent roller marks. If your door is flat, you can use a full sized roller. If it has details, use a mini roller.
Each door is 68 square feet, including front, back, and edges. One gallon of paint covers about 350 square feet. So, you'll need about one gallon of paint for every five doors.