How to Paint Your Front Door

It's very likely that you've lived in your home for a few years now. After settling in, things tend to give in to wear and tear. This can be especially true for your front door, which gets constant use from your busy household. Not to mention, the weather can be harsh on it too.

There comes a time when you need to spruce up your front door. That way, your property will maintain its curb appeal.

Read on to find out how to paint your front door.

The Materials Needed

Whether you want to keep your door's current color or you want to switch things up, make sure you choose a high-quality exterior paint. Consider using one with a satin or semi-gloss finish, as these are more durable and easier to clean.

Other materials you'll need include:

• Spray paint
• Paintbrushes
• Rollers
• Primer
• Sandpaper
• Painter's tape
• Drop cloths
• Spackling compound

Prep the Area
Lay the drop cloths down in the surrounding area to protect surfaces and the ground. You can then remove any hardware, such as the doorknobs, locks, or knockers.

Clean the Door

Dip a clean cloth in mild detergent and water to clean dirt and grease off your front door. If needed, use a scrub brush if there are stubborn areas.

Rinse off everything, then let your door dry completely.

Remove the Old Paint

Does your door have peeling or chipped paint? Then remove it with sandpaper or a paint scraper if you have one.

Now sand the entire door to make it smooth and even. Use a damp rag to remove any dust from the sanding.

Repair Imperfections
Use the spackling compound to fill any holes, dents, or cracks. Once they've dried, then sand the door smooth again.

At this point, apply primer if needed. Check the manufacturer's instructions and give it ample time to dry.

Tape and Mask Off
Before you start painting, you'll need to protect hardware, windows, and any other areas you don't want painted. Apply painter's tape firmly to these areas.

Paint the Door 

Start with a paintbrush to get the recessed or detailed parts of your front door. Then use a roller on the flat surfaces to save some time. You'll want to apply thin, event coats, and work from the top to the bottom.

You'll need to give each coat a few hours to dry in between. While you're waiting, you can move on to other paint work.

How to Paint Doorknobs

You can spray paint doorknobs for a quick touch-up job. But first, follow the same prep work steps above, including cleaning and sanding.

Shake the spray paint can and hold it around one foot away from the doorknob. Apply a thin and even coat to the entire surface, using a steady back-and-forth motion. Check the instructions on the spray can to see how long you have to wait to apply another coat.

How to Paint the Door Trim

Clean the trim, repair imperfections, and sand it down. If it's bare wood or has significant imperfections, then apply primer to get better coverage and paint adhesion.

After the primer's dried, use a smaller brush to paint the recessed and detailed areas. You can switch to a larger brush to cover larger and flatter ground.

How to Paint the Door Hinges

If you're into detailed work, then you can also paint the door hinges. Use a screwdriver to remove them, then clean and sand them. If they're really dirty, you might have to use a degreaser or rust remover.

Apply primer with a small paintbrush to ensure a smooth application. Once the hinges dry, apply metal paint, then a second coat if needed.

Take a look at our paint selection to get started on your front door paint project.

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