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.
Large brushes (3-inch to 4-inch) will hold more paint and cover a larger surface area, which helps you to finish your project faster. These brushes are ideal for exterior siding, decks, doors, or walls. When you have tight, detailed areas to paint, a small brush (1-inch to 1½-inch) is recommended.
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.
If you have a flat surface door, a roller is all you need. If you have texture or details, you might need a brush to get into the grooves. You will paint multiple coats, letting the paint dry completely between coats. Let the door dry for a few hours before handling it after the final coat of paint.
Our experts suggest that if you want to get the job done ASAP then a roller can be used to paint your front door, as long as you apply the recommended three layers, use high quality paint and are prepared to spend time touching up any edging with a paintbrush.
Painting Your Door While It's Removed From Its Frame
Pros: Gravity won't be as much of an issue with your door laid horizontally. It's easier to paint with long, smooth brush strokes. Painting paneled doors is a lot easier when painted horizontally.
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.
If you are going to paint a plain, flat door, use a foam roller to roll on the paint and use an angled brush to paint the sides. You want to make sure you leave no roller lap marks. To remove any lap marks, roll a lightly-loaded roller over the wet coat of paint to smooth.
All you have to do is run a dry roller over the brushed-on paint to smooth out any stroke lines. You can use the same roller for an entire project. It shouldn't soak up too much paint as you work over the brushed areas.
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.
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.
Note: Painting a door typically takes three to five hours, depending on the condition of the door and how fussy you are. But add in the drying time and it's a full-day project.
Cleaning Paint-Hardened Brushes
Soak the brush with hardened paint in vinegar for an hour. If the bristles don't bend, soak for an additional hour. If it needs more loosening after two hours, submerge the head of the brush in vinegar in a pot, place the pot on a stove and bring to a boil.
The easiest way to paint without brush marks is to paint with a matte or chalky paint. Flat paint hides imperfections, including brush strokes the most. My absolute favorite matte paint is this one by Fusion Mineral. It comes in lots of trendy colors and is pretty durable on its own.
Brush marks are caused by strokes that leave the paint with a rough texture and visible brush strokes. The rough texture and visible brush strokes can be easily covered in a second coat of paint by using a slightly different technique than you used for your first coat.
After your first coat of paint is dry, it's safe to recoat typically after four to six hours. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least three hours to recoat your paint or primer if it's water-based. Waiting 24 hours is best for oil-based paint and primer.
Lay the door flat to avoid drips and runs
But for a smooth finish, you have to lay it flat and remove the hinges, knobs and other hardware. With the door laid flat on sawhorses, you can spread paint more quickly and not worry about drips and paint sags.
Next, Use the 4“ mini foam roller to get the larger flat surface areas. Using this foam roller will ensure you get a finished door without brush marker. Once you have painted all the grooves and the panels are done move on to the rail and then stiles. Be sure to paint the edges and sides of each door too.