How do you paint a wooden door with gloss paint?

Answer 1

1) Remove the door from its frame, take off the hinges, door handle, striker plate and all other hardware (deadbolts, peepholes etc.)

2) Place the door horizontally at a comfortable working height (sawhorses work well for this).

3) Remove any previous paint, either by sanding the surface with medium grit sandpaper followed by fine grit sandpaper or by scraping and then sanding. You do not have to get the surface to bare wood (or steel, but it must be smooth).

4) Check for and repair any cracks, or holes. Use a good quality wood filler on a solid or hollow core wooden door, and an epoxy based filler on a steel door. Be sure to sand the repaired areas well.

5) Apply a good quality primer/sealer to all surfaces of the door (don't forget the top, bottom and sides. This allows the finish coat to adhere to the surface of the door. Allow to dry completely.

6) Using a good quality brush, apply a top quality paint that is appropriate for the area (interior or exterior, latex or oil). Remember the higher the gloss factor the harder the paint. Use smooth, even brush strokes, and a thin coat of paint (it is better to apply two thin coats of paint than one thick coat of paint, particularly if the surface of the door is textured)

To minimize visible brush stokes paint all corners, crevices, raised panels, as well as the top, bottom and sides, following the order listed below.

For a raised panel door.

- paint the outer edges (top bottom, and sides)

- paint the beveled areas. Use a 1 1/2 inch sash brush is your best choice.

- paint the panels of the door, using a 2 1/2 inch brush.

- paint the rails -the horizontal flat sections of your door (usually, the top, middle and bottom of the door, however there are many models of raised panel doors with multiple rails).

- paint the styles -the vertical flat areas of your door.

Note* You can paint the panels, rails and styles with a roller, however a 2 1/3 inch brush works best for most people.

For a slab door.

- paint the outer edges (top bottom, and sides)

- using a good quality roller with a low nap sleeve, roll a thin top coat over the entire surface (top to bottom is best as it gives you a longer, smoother stroke).

7) Allow the door to dry, sand lightly and wipe down with a tack cloth and repeat step 6. Leave the door to dry completely.

8) Turn the door over (use cloth or other soft surface to keep the first side from being scratched) and repeat steps 3 through 7 on the second side.

9) Replace the hardware (this is an excellent time to upgrade your hinges and handles if you so choose) and rehang your door.