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Painting Exterior Doors: Expert Advice for a Flawless Finish
Want to know how to paint your front door?
A freshly painted exterior door completely transforms the look of your home or business and makes it more welcoming. An Englishman’s home is their castle, and we’ve yet to meet a small business owner that isn’t proud of their premises. A new lick of paint can give your front doors a new lease of life! Whether you’re dealing with a wooden, metal, uPVC, or composite door, the right prep work and paint selection are key to achieving a durable, professional finish. Read this guide and discover expert advice, step-by-step instructions, and insider tips for “how to paint a front door” and achieve a perfect result. If you’re unsure about how to proceed or need help with your project, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and one of Rawlins’ Paint Experts will be happy to assist you.
Choosing the Right Front Door Paint
The first step in any door painting project is selecting the right front door paint. It might seem like a simple decision, but the paint you choose needs to be robust enough to withstand the outdoor elements while providing an attractive finish. Specialist exterior door paints are formulated to endure weather changes, UV exposure, and general wear and tear. Unlike interior paints, which can fade or peel quickly in the harsh UK climate, exterior paints are designed to last years after application.
Specialist water-based front door paints provide a smooth, durable finish suitable for both brush and roller applications. Buying cheap water-based paints makes it tough to achieve an even coat without streaks or visible brush marks. Popular colours for painting exterior doors include RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey, a sleek modern option, or the charming Chartwell Green, which brings a touch of countryside elegance.
Painting your front door is a much cheaper option to revitalise the exterior of your home or business. A high-quality exterior paint will protect your door from moisture, dirt, and other environmental factors. They add a bold or subtle touch to your property for the fraction of the cost of a new door!
Choosing Colours for Exterior Doors
One of the most exciting parts of painting your door is choosing a new colour. Current trends include bold, modern shades like RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey and soft tones like Chartwell Green. While neutral colours like white and black remain popular, many homeowners are now opting for more distinctive colours to stand out from their neighbours. Businesses want to update their doors to complement their existing corporate branding.
Why Preparation is Key for Painting Exterior Doors
Whether you’re tackling a front, back, or side door, preparation is the foundation for a successful paint job. Skipping any of the steps such as cleaning, degreasing, or sanding can result in a poor finish or peeling paint later on. Cleaning removes any dust, dirt, or grease that could interfere with the paint’s ability to stick, while sanding creates a surface that the paint can bond to. Degreasing, particularly on metal and UPVC surfaces, ensures that any oils from fingerprints or environmental pollution are removed before painting.
How to Paint a Wooden Front Door
Wooden front doors have timeless appeal, but they also need regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. They are often found in heritage properties and businesses, or as the original front door for properties built before the 1980’s. The natural grain and texture of wood can make painting a wooden door a little more involved than painting metal or composite doors, but the results are well worth the effort.
Equipment Checklist:
Paint Materials:
Application Tools:
Safety Equipment and PPE:
Sanding and Filling
Start by sanding the door to remove any old paint or varnish, and fill any cracks or dents with wood filler. This is important as it ensures the surface is as smooth as possible, allowing for an even coat of paint.
Priming
Apply a primer specifically formulated for wood. This step is particularly important for exterior wooden doors, as the primer helps to seal the wood and protect it from moisture.
Painting
Once the primer has dried, apply your chosen wooden front door paint. You can use a brush for detailed areas and a roller for the main sections. Like with metal doors, multiple light coats are better than one thick coat.
How to Paint UPVC and Composite Doors
uPVC and composite doors are a popular choice for modern homes and businesses. Their durability and low maintenance has seen them used across new homes and commercial premises since 1979. However, many people assume these materials can’t be painted. This is because uPVC doors – especially composite -need to be suitably prepared before coating with specialist uPVC paints.
It’s actually easy to paint uPVC doors when you’re using the right paints. We’ve written an entire post on How to Paint uPVC Windows and Doors, and have plenty of reviews from customers that successfully painted their uPVC exterior doors.
How to Paint a Metal Front Door
Metal front doors are typical of premises that require a rigid no entry once the business day is complete – or in areas subject to vandalism. Such exterior doors can be painted to blend in and reduce their tough image whilst still protecting your property. For those that experience anti-social behaviour, specialist anti-graffiti coatings and graffiti removal products can be applied. These help to keep your home or business free of graffiti tagging and unsolicited artworks.
Painting a metal front door requires careful preparation and the right tools to ensure the paint adheres properly and lasts for years. Metal doors can be prone to rust or flaking if not adequately prepped, so you’ll need to invest some time before picking up the brush.
Equipment Checklist:
Paint Materials:
Application Tools:
Safety Equipment and PPE:
- Disposable coveralls
- Disposable gloves
- Rags and coverings for floors
Cleaning and Degreasing
The first and most important step is to clean the door thoroughly. Metal doors often accumulate dust, grime, and oils that can prevent the paint from sticking properly. A mild detergent and a degreaser will do the job.
Sanding
Sanding is critical when it comes to a metal surface. If the door has existing paint, particularly if it’s peeling or bubbling, sand it down to a smooth surface. Use medium-grit sandpaper to create a slightly rough surface that new paint can adhere to.
Priming
Metal doors need a rust-inhibiting primer, especially if you’re painting over bare metal or if the previous paint job has degraded. Applying a primer not only ensures a smooth finish but also protects the door from rusting over time. Some specialist paints, such as Rust-Oleum CombiColor Original, are a primer and topcoat in one tin. These can be applied directly to bare or manually derusted steel, after suitable preparation.
Painting
Once primed, it’s time to apply your chosen exterior metal door paint. As with wood doors, water-based exterior paints work well, but make sure they are specifically designed for metal surfaces. Multiple light coats are preferable to a single heavy coat, as this will reduce the chance of drips or uneven coverage.
How to Paint a Front Door Without Removing It
Removing your front door to paint it is often the ideal scenario when it comes to avoiding drips or uneven edges. It is especially so when you’re applying new paint by spray.
However, for many homeowners, taking the door off its hinges simply isn’t convenient or possible. And since specialist front door paints are formulated to brush and roller applications, you’ll likely not need to remove it anyway. Fortunately, it’s entirely feasible to paint a front door without removing it if you follow a few strategic steps.
Protect Surrounding Areas
Before painting, ensure the area around the door is protected. Use painter’s tape to cover any hinges, locks, and door handles. You’ll also want to place a dust sheet on the floor beneath the door to protect it from drips.
Paint in Sections
If your door has panels, paint these first using a brush to ensure even coverage in the recessed areas. Then, switch to a roller for the larger flat sections to achieve a smooth finish.
Watch for Drips
When painting a vertical surface, drips can be your worst enemy. Apply thin coats of paint and keep an eye out for any runs in the paint, which you can gently smooth out before they dry.
Drying Time
Leave the door open while drying to avoid the paint sticking to the door frame. If this isn’t possible, make sure the edges dry thoroughly before closing the door to prevent any damage to the new finish.
Although removing the door allows for a more controlled environment and easier access to all sides, it’s not always necessary. For many homeowners, the convenience of leaving the door in place outweighs the minor challenges of painting it vertically.
FAQs About Painting Exterior Doors
Can I use exterior paint on the inside of my front door?
It’s best to use interior paint for the inside of your door, as exterior paints are designed for outdoor use and may contain chemicals or finishes that aren’t suitable for indoor environments.
How much paint do I need to paint a front door?
Always check the manufacturer’s data sheet to find the typical coverage rate for your chosen paint. You also need to see how many coats are recommended. Typically, a litre of paint should be more than enough to paint one side of a standard door with two coats. However, this is highly dependant on the type of paint used, and the door’s surface type and condition.
How much does it cost to paint an exterior door?
You can easily find cheap paint on the market or budget store to paint your front door with. However, if you want to avoid repainting it again in a years’ time, this is why specialist front door paints exist. Take the time to prepare your exterior door correctly before painting, and opt for a higher-quality, specialist coating. It’ll save you time and money in the long run.
How long does it take to paint a door?
From preparation to drying time, painting a door can take a few hours in a day. This includes time for cleaning, sanding, priming, and multiple coats of paint. Be sure to check the weather forecast beforehand so that you have enough time to finish the job.
How to paint a metal door that is peeling?
First, sand down the peeling areas to remove the loose paint. Then, clean the surface, apply a metal primer, and repaint using a suitable exterior paint.
How to remove paint from a metal front door?
A paint stripper designed for metal surfaces is the best option for removing old paint. After applying the stripper, scrape away the old paint and clean the surface before repainting.
Do you have to sand a door before painting?
Yes, sanding ensures the new paint adheres properly by removing any old paint and smoothing out imperfections. It is recommended to lightly sand the surface of a door, including uPVC and composite doors, to provide a key for your paint.
Conclusion
Painting your exterior door is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform your property’s appearance. With the right preparation, high-quality paint, and proper techniques, you can achieve a professional-looking finish that lasts for years. Whether you’re refreshing a wooden, metal, or composite door, each material requires its unique approach to ensure the best outcome. If you’re feeling unsure or need advice on selecting the right materials, leave a comment below, and one of Rawlins’ Technical Experts will be happy to assist.