Repaint a Front Door

A front door gets more punishment than almost any other painted surface on a house. Sun bleaches it. Rain weathers it. Every visitor touches it. A fresh coat of paint transforms not just the door but the entire entrance, and the work itself is straightforward enough for a first-time painter to execute well. The key is patience between coats and attention to edges where moisture creeps in. Done right, a repainted door should last five to seven years before needing attention again. The actual painting takes less time than the prep work, which is how it should be. You'll spend more time with sandpaper and painter's tape than with a brush. Most failed door paint jobs fail because someone rushed the prep or painted over dirt and grease. Clean, dull, dry surfaces take paint beautifully. Everything else eventually peels.

1. Strip and Clean Thoroughly. Unscrew the door handle, deadbolt, and any decorative hardware. Remove the hinge pins if you can work on the door horizontally, otherwise leave it hanging. Clean the entire door with TSP solution or degreasing cleaner and a stiff brush, paying attention to the bottom rail where dirt accumulates. Let it dry completely.
2. Dull the Surface for Grip. Sand the entire door with 120-grit paper to dull the existing finish and help new paint adhere. Don't try to remove old paint unless it's peeling. Focus on smoothing any rough spots and feathering edges where old paint has chipped. Vacuum the dust, then wipe everything down with a tack cloth.
3. Mask Everything Around. Apply painter's tape to the doorframe, threshold, and any glass or sidelights. Lay drop cloths on both sides of the door. If the door is staying on its hinges, tape off the hinges themselves or plan to paint carefully around them.
4. Prime Bare Wood First. If you've sanded down to bare wood anywhere, or if you're making a dramatic color change, apply a coat of exterior primer to those areas or the entire door. Let it dry for the time specified on the can, usually two to four hours.
5. Lay the Foundation Coat. Use a high-quality brush for edges and panels, a small foam roller for flat areas. Paint in this order: edges first, then recessed panels, then rails and stiles around the panels, then the face. Work quickly enough that edges stay wet and blend together. Don't overwork the paint or you'll leave brush marks.
6. Finish with a Second Coat. After the first coat dries completely (check the can, usually 4-6 hours), lightly sand with 220-grit paper to knock down any brush marks or dust nibs. Wipe with a tack cloth, then apply the second coat using the same technique as the first.
7. Wait Before Closing. Inspect the door after the second coat dries. If the old color shows through or coverage looks thin, apply a third coat. Let the final coat cure for 24 hours before reinstalling hardware. Wait 48-72 hours before closing the door firmly or the paint may stick to the frame.
8. Reinstall and Polish. Once the paint has cured, reinstall the door handle, deadbolt, and any other hardware. Remove all painter's tape, pulling at an angle away from the painted surface. Touch up any spots where tape pulled up paint using a small artist's brush.