Paint Interior Doors Like a Professional

Doors take more abuse than any other painted surface in a home. Fingerprints accumulate around handles, scuff marks appear at kick-plate height, and the original finish dulls from years of opening and closing. A freshly painted door transforms a room instantly, but most homeowners rush the process and end up with drips, brush marks, and edges that stick to the jamb. The difference between an amateur paint job and a professional finish comes down to preparation and technique. Done right, a painted door should look smooth as glass, with no visible brush strokes and crisp lines where paint meets hardware. The work takes patience, but the process itself is straightforward. You will spend more time on prep and drying than actual painting, which is exactly as it should be.

1. Free the Door First. Tap out hinge pins from bottom to top using a nail and hammer. Have someone support the door as you remove the final pin. Lay the door across sawhorses or a work table. Remove all hardware including knobs, latches, strike plates, and hinges. Drop screws into labeled bags so you know what goes where when you reinstall.
2. Scuff Every Surface. Wipe the entire door with a damp cloth and TSP substitute to remove grease and grime, especially around the handle area. Let dry completely. Sand the entire surface with 220-grit paper to break the gloss and create tooth for the new paint. Sand with the grain on wood doors. Wipe down with a tack cloth to remove all dust.
3. Block Stains Out. Fill old hardware holes or dents with wood filler and let dry according to package directions. Sand filled areas smooth. If painting over dark colors or bare wood, apply one coat of primer to the entire door. For previously painted doors in good condition going from light to light color, you can skip primer.
4. Brush the Details Clean. Load a two-inch angled brush with paint and cut in all the panel moldings, edges, and any raised details first. Work the brush into corners and profiles, then smooth out with long strokes. This is your detail work, so take your time and maintain a wet edge. Paint in the direction of the wood grain.
5. Smooth the Panels Fast. Use a four-inch foam roller to apply paint to all flat panel areas and the broad faces of the door. Roll in long, overlapping strokes and work quickly to blend into your brushed edges while they are still wet. Use light pressure and do not overwork the paint. Foam rollers leave almost no texture if you apply thin coats.
6. Hunt for Hidden Flaws. Allow the first coat to dry for at least four hours, or overnight if possible. Check the dried surface in raking light from multiple angles to spot any drips, sags, or missed spots. Lightly sand any drips or rough spots with 220-grit paper and wipe clean before applying the second coat.
7. Perfect the Finish. Repeat the brushing and rolling process exactly as before. The second coat should go on more smoothly and cover any thin spots from the first coat. Maintain the same wet-edge technique and do not go back over areas that have started to tack up. Two thin coats always look better than one thick coat.
8. Hang and Protect Edges. Wait at least 24 hours before reinstalling hardware and rehanging the door. For oil-based paint, wait 48 hours. Install hinges first, then hang the door by tapping pins back in from bottom to top. Install knobs and strike plates last. The door may stick slightly for the first few days as paint fully cures.