THE ULTIMATE
The secret to professional looking interior doorsInterior doors can be opened and closed frequently. Painting them is a simple way to enhance their look and liven up your home. This article provides instructions on how to paint interior doors, whether they are still attached or detached from Painting Prep is ImportantTake the following steps before painting interior doors: Disconnect the door knobs and any other fixtures on the door to make it easier to paint. Ensure that any new hardware you get is compatible with the old one if you are replacing it. Select a type of paint specially made for interior doors that has a glossy or semi-glossy finish that makes them easy to clean. Whenever possible, work in a well-ventilated space or use an electric fan for air circulation. Clean off dirt and grime from the door with degreasing cleaner prior to painting. Fill in gaps and flaws with sandable filler or spackle, then lightly sand down the surface of the door using 120-grit sandpaper for better absorption of primer or paint afterwards. Remove dust from area prior to priming/painting and place drop cloths on floor/surrounding area as necessary. Correct Method to Paint an Attached DoorIt can be difficult to take down a solid interior door, but if you want to paint a panel door that stays on its hinges, there is an easy way to do it. An upside of painting a door while it is still attached is that you don't have to wait for one side of the door to be finished before starting on the other. Cover the hinges with masking tape to prevent them from getting paint on them. When painting a panel door, it may be better to use a brush rather than a roller. Start by coating the interiors of the top panels and then smoothing out the paint according to the grain of the wood. Paint in any recessed areas first and then move onto painting over flat surfaces. If there is a vertical center stile, cover that next and blend in any brush strokes from this part when you move onto painting horizontal rails. Continue by covering each rail starting from the top and working your way down. Paint any remaining vertical stiles beginning with those on left side and make sure to feather out brush strokes from rails while they are still wet for an even finish. Be cautious when brushing or rolling around edges so as not to get runs on face of door during application process. Lastly, make sure that door can remain open long enough for it dry completely; otherwise it could stick shut if closed too soon while still wet. Painting an Unattached DoorWhen painting a door, it is best to take it off its hinges and lay it flat on a pair of sawhorses. This method helps ensure an even coat with no drips or runs and makes painting the edges easier. You will need assistance when taking the door off its hinges. To remove, use a flathead screwdriver or chisel to wedge between the hinge and top of the hinge pins, then lightly tap with a hammer until they come loose. After carrying the door to your desired location for painting, start by brushing the edges first. For paneled doors, begin with recessed panels followed by horizontal rails and vertical styles before flipping over once dry to paint the other side. Finally, remount once fully dry. Paint a Flat or Panel DoorA flat door can be quickly painted with a roller or brush. If you are painting bare wood, applying latex paint over an oil-based paint, or covering a dark color with a much lighter tone, add primer to the door first. When painting the door, use vertical strokes with the roller or long, smooth brush strokes. Afterwards, use a small brush to complete the edge around the hinges. Panel Doors are very common in homes across the country. To paint a panel door perfectly: Start by brushing the paint onto the inner side of the top panels, following the grain. Apply paint to the recessed parts first, then to the faces of the panels. If there is a vertical middle stile, paint it next and blend in any brush marks from there as you move on to painting the horizontal rails. Move from top rail to bottom rail while painting them. Afterward, work on painting all remaining vertical stiles beginning with the left one and making sure that you feather in brush marks from rails while they are still wet. Keep your line as even as possible when working around edges. Lastly, use either a brush or roller and carefully avoid any drips on faces of door. Painting A Door with Glass or MirrorsDoors with inlaid mirrors or glass panels can be a challenge to paint without leaving smudges or having to do a lot of extra work. Here are some tips to make the job easier: Apply a masking liquid or tape sheets over all the glass on the door, and let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a brush rather than rollers for more precise painting. After allowing the paint to dry, carefully run a utility blade around the edges of where you applied your masking material. Then remove any residue from the masking liquid or tape sheets before using a scraper to clean up any messy edges or drips from around the glass surface. Finally, use your preferred cleaner on all of the glass panels. Painting Bifold Doors CorrectlyBifold doors, typically found on closets, open by pulling the handles towards one’s self and fold in the center, moving along a track to either side of the frame. When painting bifold doors, it is best to start with slightly separating both panels so that they are still accessible but no longer touching. Paint from top to bottom and with the grain of the wood. Additionally, do not overfill your brush with paint in order to avoid dripping on hard-to-access spots. Some Pro Tips for Painting Interior DoorsWhen painting an interior door, there are some tips to keep in mind. Determine if priming is necessary; if the door was painted with latex paint, it won't need to be primed but if it was painted with oil-based paint, a primer must be applied before using a latex-based paint. All six sides of wooden doors must be painted to prevent cracking, rotting and expansion; the bottom edge should additionally be sealed with clear wood sealer to protect against moisture damage. Sand and wipe before applying a second coat of paint. Lastly, pick colours for the trim and frame that match or complement each other for an aesthetically pleasing look that can transform your home’s appearance. Did you find this article interesting? Would you like to learn more Residential Painters tips? Read this article about painting tiles!
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AuthorVicky Ewert has been writing blogs for readers for many years. She is bringing her knowledge online to help DIYers looking to achieve professional painting results. ArchivesCategories |