How to Paint a Front Door

In this video, Cole Schaefer, a professional painter, shows you how to properly prep and paint your front door the right way, so it will look like new for many years to come.
When painting your front door, avoid using any old paint that's been lying around in your garage for a long period of time, this will not provide the quality of finish you're looking for.
Instead, you'll want to select the right type of paint specifically for your door, and in order to do this, you'll need to take into consideration the type of door.
Whether it's fabricated with wood, metal, or even fiberglass, and its current condition. To promote good adhesion, apply a primer and two coats of high-quality water-based paint, and you're done. Now, if your door is in good condition but was previously painted with oil-based paint, then you need to thoroughly sand the door before priming it and then apply two coats of paint.
Now, if you're unsure of what type of paint is currently on your door, put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and rub it over the paint of your door. If the paint wipes off and the cotton ball it's a water-based paint. If the paint doesn't wipe off its an oil-based paint.
I like to use Dunn-Edwards premium orange masking tape as it provides a straight clean line, no bleeding through, easy one-day removal, and is a heck of a lot cheaper than other premium tapes.
Keep in mind, today's water-based paints dry quickly, so use a paint roller to help apply the paint over a large area faster, so you can keep a wet edge and brush out the paint for a smooth finish.
After you sanded the door, clean it and let it dry. Now it's ready to be primed. Apply one coat of a good quality water-based primer such as Dunn-Edwards Ultra Grip Premium multi-surface primer, and two coats of a water or oil-based paint, I recommend using Dunn-Edwards Evershield Premium exterior paint as it provides maximum protection against UV color fade, mildew, water intrusion, grain cracking, peeling, and blistering.
Begin painting each of the panels. First, you'll need a two or two-and-a-half inch angle sash brush and a mini roller. To get started, cut in all the recessed corners of the panel first and then use your roller to apply the paint on the panel. Quickly brush out any paint on the panel to get a smooth finish. Now move on to the next panel, painting one panel at a time. Be sure to check for any paint drips and smooth 'em out with your brush before they have a chance to dry. Next, paint the Center style and rail between the panel's then paint the top rail section.
Feather the areas as you meet the paint where you have previously painted. Next, paint the two outside styles, and lastly, paint the bottom rail.
Allow the door to completely dry before applying your second coat of paint using these same steps. Now, depending on the color you choose, you may need to paint a third or fourth coat to get a nice rich color. Once the door is completely dried, remove the tape and install decorative hardware back on the door. Well, hopefully, this video has inspired you to paint your front door, knowing how easy it can be if it's in good condition.
To learn more about paint and painting watch the other how to paint videos on www.dunnedward...

[@DrummyNUT]

Excellent video. One thing though. You don't have to thoroughly sand if you want to put latex paint on an oil-based painted door. Lightly sand the stiles, rails, and raised panels; then, use liquid sander/deglosser to get the nooks and crannies. Or just use liquid deglosser on the whole door. You also don't need primer unless the surface is bare wood, metal, etc.

[@codename9824]

oicu812a deglosser is a diy shortcut that yields diy shortcut results. Do your projects the right way even if it's not the easiest way to get professional long lasting results and not Pinterest special crap.

[@anaisabellehernandez3469]

Thank you Cole! I'm going to paint mine black!

[@ALOISC1]

Very good simple instructions , didn't know it was so easy .

[@cynthiagreske5957]

The video was fine except it did not address how do you prevent your door from sticking shut when you first paint it? It says to get the door thoroughly dry will if this is your front door how do you go about doing that I would like to see this addressed in the future video

[@gobstoppper5843]

Excellent video, great presenter. I'll get right to it

[@bingaling1966]

Good video. I have painted my back door, just as suggested here, with good quality new paint. It turned out great and looked great, a beautiful happy tangerine. But now have a very heartbreaking problem I really need help and suggestions for. Evidently a door needs several days or weeks, off or unshut in dry hot weather to "cure". I did paint in hot dry weather, however, closing and locking the door, after 24 hours to dry, opening the next morning to smile upon the excellent work and beautiful new color, the door had stuck to the weather stripping, and pulled, taking off the new paint all the way around, now leaving tangerine paint all around the weather strip, and the original white of door ALL THE WAY AROUND where the paint had torn. SO, while looking on all these wonderful information filled videos, tips, and suggestions here on the Internet, and the same upbeat, easy, no problem way to paint your front door is presented by the professional store staff - not ONE, anywhere, addresses this problem. For example, how about when everyone says to remove all hardware, tape off, etc. Why not also let people know, "you must also remove any weather stripping around the door, and not replace it for several weeks, giving the paint enough time to cure. However, there still is no guarantee it still won't stick and tear in the future". Obviously, I'm going to have to remove weather stripping, sand around all the torn areas, repaint, and figure a way to SAFELY leave door open for who knows how long to dry thoroughly, then replace weather strip many months from now before winter sets in. At this point, the only real way it seems to paint an entry door, is to remove for several weeks, and replace with a temporary door, until the paint is thoroughly dried and cured. I was really hoping to do my front door too, and that it really was a "magical" EASY way of beautifying my home as everyone in the paint world projects. It also seems to me at this point, that to really have a beautiful lasting paint job on an area that is used so often as a front or back door, and can take quite the beating over time, one might also choose to protect it, like is done after painting or refinishing kitchen or bathroom cabinets. So, any good helpful comments on this is welcomed. Leave negative bashing to yourself please.

[@skatfoster7295]

I also have problems with water based paint sticking to weatherstripping. I dried it for 3 days before fully shutting door. It did not remove all paint but there are spots all around where some came off. The door continues to stick and can be hard to open. The store recommended spraying the seal with silicone, which did not resolve the problem of sticking. I've put off repainting as problem is not resolved.

[@johnpolitis655]

Bing Aling just get a professional painter to do the door

[@Yaheard32]

Question. I have existing paint on my door and I want to paint it the same color. Can I just scrape off the existing paint and then paint over it? Or do I need to use primer? Also will it look better if I striped the paint off instead of scrapping it off?

[@apple88cc18]

Great info 👌🏾

[@Maghanashi]

Interesting long advertisement, but the tips are true of any brand's paint.

[@habishua]

Thanks for the helpful tips!

[@contrabandjoe7974]

If your painting the same color, no need to prime..its already primed. Lightly sand and paint it

[@manuelvera3092]

What happens if you put the gloss before the paint? I did just that. Will it work? Or do i need to sand it again?

[@dijab.3073]

How about the edges of the door? I will be using two different colors inside vs outside

[@rondie.x53]

same question

[@shannonwaddell2618]

Dija B. This is my exact question.

[@pinturaskakobel5695]

Good jjob!

[@IWBVS]

what gives doors and trims a typical "hardness"? Id like it to be durable and hard like at restaurants and hotels.

[@DunnEdwardsPaints]

Hardness depends on the binders used in paint. Typically, non-flat paints will have harder finishes vs. flats. This is due to the non-blocking characteristic customers want from non-flats. The type of coating used in restaurants and hotels are typically industrial strength coatings, which are not for DIY user friendly. These industrial coatings require some knowledge and expertise when applying the paint plus the proper tools required to mix it. If you want a finish that is harder than traditional water-based paints, you can take a look at our ARISTOSHIELD line.

[@marilyncann2722]

simple and easy

[@louised6790]

How do you keep the colored paint from getting on the white edges of the door? As in the left and right side/Hinge side and striker side.

[@DunnEdwardsPaints]

Use tape! After years of practice, many professional contractors paint freehand.

[@louised6790]

True. But it’s notorious for bleeding. However, it’s better than nothing 👍🏻

[@gknight458]

Do you need to apply primer if the paint is a paint plus primer in one?

[@DunnEdwardsPaints]

It is always recommended that EVEREST® be used over properly prepared and primed surfaces. What surface are you painting over?

[@rokkys6891]

Great great

[@ScottyP0101]

was this a how to video or a commercial??

[@robbietheruler]

What grain sandpaper should be used?

[@josevaladez4361]

Rob Glotfelty 220

[@af3anicataloni]

i want to paint but i don't know how to start, cuz it will be my first time

[@DunnEdwardsPaints]

This video is a great place to start! Do you have any specific questions that we can help you with?

[@CrystalKoonkoon8467]

hello, why are you holding your hands in the shape of a triangle? . Also, can I just paint my door if I want or do I need permission from city.??😲

[@wontonmin6481]

so that its easier to cut angle and you don't need permit unless there's a reconstruction going...😐

[@ultimaetsolder]

Ivory Pearl id check w the city.

[@aussiebushgirl1829]

Would've preferred a more hands-on, user-friendly video, instead of dialogue. It's a thumbs down from me.