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4 steps on painting exterior Doors

How To Paint A Metal Exterior Door

 ​I have painted quite a lot in my life—from rooms, to furniture, and everything in between. For a long time, I had great success with everything except the front door to my house. It is a metal exterior door that gets full afternoon sun. The metal heats up like an oven and, over time, bakes the paint right off the door. After lots of trial and error using many combinations of paints and primers over the years, I have come up with a successful formula. I tested it out on my exterior metal side door last summer, which gets the same amount of sun all year long. It has not cracked. 

When my husband and I first bought our home, the door was painted green. After a few years the paint finish started to look cracked. When people would come to the door, they often asked how we achieved the look — the “Crackled Lacquered” style was a trendy finish at the time. I had to tell them it was not intentional, just a “paint fail.” I was told by pros that using a lighter color paint may help. I tested out lighter colors, but I wanted a classic color to go with the brick facade and tan siding on the house. Here's how to get the best results when painting your exterior metal door.
4 steps on painting exterior Doors
Glidden Primer (White or Grey, depending on your chosen paint color)
Glidden Premium Exterior Paint in a Semi-Gloss Finish
Foam paint roller & roller cover
Roller tray
2″ angled brush
Paint stirrer
Paint stripper (if you are painting over a metal door that is cracking or peeling)
Paint stripping gloves
Sandpaper (recommend 150 to 180 grit)
Scraper
Drop cloths (I cut up boxes instead of using an actual drop cloth)

Special Notes for if you’re painting your door in place on its hinges:
  • If you are going to keep the hardware, it is easier to remove it before painting. (I did not remove the door hardware to paint, since I knew I would be replacing the existing pieces.)
  • Only paint in the shade, never in full sun.

See More Exterior Painting Tips

Supplies Needed

Glidden Primer (White or Grey, depending on your chosen paint color)
Glidden Premium Exterior Paint in a Semi-Gloss Finish
Foam paint roller & roller cover
Roller tray
2″ angled brush
Paint stirrer
Paint stripper (if you are painting over a metal door that is cracking or peeling)
Paint stripping gloves
Sandpaper (recommend 150 to 180 grit)
Scraper
Drop cloths (I cut up boxes instead of using an actual drop cloth)

Special Notes for if you’re painting your door in place on its hinges:
  • If you are going to keep the hardware, it is easier to remove it before painting. (I did not remove the door hardware to paint, since I knew I would be replacing the existing pieces.)
  • Only paint in the shade, never in full sun.

See More Exterior Painting Tips
If your door has old paint on it, what you do will depend on the condition of the paint:
  • If the finish is free of cracking and peeling, but simply needs a fresh coat, the surface can be lightly sanded* and cleaned, and a fresh coat of Glidden Premium Exterior Paint can be applied.
  • If the surface is cracking or peeling, the paint needs to be removed with a paint stripper or heat gun. I chose to use chemical stripper. When using a paint stripper, it is important to be careful not to damage the metal with scratches or gouges. I followed the directions on the labels of the cans I already had from previous projects.
This is a messy job, but one that needs to be done if you want the new paint to successfully adhere to the metal.


See More Helpful How-To Articles
 

Step 1. Preparing the door for a fresh coat of paint

If your door has old paint on it, what you do will depend on the condition of the paint:
  • If the finish is free of cracking and peeling, but simply needs a fresh coat, the surface can be lightly sanded* and cleaned, and a fresh coat of Glidden Premium Exterior Paint can be applied.
  • If the surface is cracking or peeling, the paint needs to be removed with a paint stripper or heat gun. I chose to use chemical stripper. When using a paint stripper, it is important to be careful not to damage the metal with scratches or gouges. I followed the directions on the labels of the cans I already had from previous projects.
This is a messy job, but one that needs to be done if you want the new paint to successfully adhere to the metal.


See More Helpful How-To Articles
 
Once all the paint is off, sand* any areas with sandpaper where the paint won’t budge, and then wash the door with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner and rinse well. Let dry


See How Much Paint You'll Need

Prepping metal door for paint

Step 2. Sand* and Wash Clean

Once all the paint is off, sand* any areas with sandpaper where the paint won’t budge, and then wash the door with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner and rinse well. Let dry


See How Much Paint You'll Need
Roll on one coat of Glidden Primer on the flat surfaces of the door. Use an angled brush to paint any recessed panel areas Let dry.

Tip: If you’re using a dark color to paint your door, use the grey Glidden primer formula or have the paint store add grey to the white Glidden formula. This will lessen the number of coats of paint needed for full coverage.


Find Glidden Paint Primer

 

Glidden Primer on metal door

Step 3. Prime

Roll on one coat of Glidden Primer on the flat surfaces of the door. Use an angled brush to paint any recessed panel areas Let dry.

Tip: If you’re using a dark color to paint your door, use the grey Glidden primer formula or have the paint store add grey to the white Glidden formula. This will lessen the number of coats of paint needed for full coverage.


Find Glidden Paint Primer

 
Roll on one light coat of your exterior paint on the flat areas of the door. Use the angled brush for any recessed or beveled panel areas. Let dry.

Here is what one light coat of paint looks like over the grey Glidden Primer. Once the first coat is dry, add a second, light coat and let dry. Touch up if needed.


See More Helpful How-To Articles
As always, safety first!  Please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

*WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead. 
 

Glidden Primer and Paint on metal door

Step 4. Paint

Roll on one light coat of your exterior paint on the flat areas of the door. Use the angled brush for any recessed or beveled panel areas. Let dry.

Here is what one light coat of paint looks like over the grey Glidden Primer. Once the first coat is dry, add a second, light coat and let dry. Touch up if needed.


See More Helpful How-To Articles
As always, safety first!  Please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

*WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead.