What is the best way to paint an interior door?
DIY Blogger Diane Henkler of InMyOwnStyle.com tells Glidden® how to tackle your interior doors to finish the look of your entryway. Freshly-painted doors and trim can make a huge difference in bringing your home’s color scheme together. I know this for a fact since I have been living with two different colors of trim and doors in my foyer. Over a year ago, I removed the carpet from my foyer staircase, stained the steps in a wood tone and painted the risers white. This was a huge improvement to the room, but it also added to my painting to-do list.
The doors and baseboard in the room were painted Antique White and needed a coat or two of white paint to match the steps. It took me some time to tackle the task, but I finally got to scratch it off my to-do list this past weekend.
The doors and baseboard in the room were painted Antique White and needed a coat or two of white paint to match the steps. It took me some time to tackle the task, but I finally got to scratch it off my to-do list this past weekend.
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Door Painting Tips
- The easiest way to paint a door is to keep it in its frame on its hinges. This approach prevents the frame from shifting, which can lead to issues with the door's fit and functionality upon reinstallation. Additionally, painting the door while it remains in place allows you to paint both sides simultaneously, eliminating the need to wait for one side to dry before painting the other.
- Ensure that you have a variety of brushes and rollers on hand to tackle different parts of the door efficiently. An angled brush is ideal for painting in tight, detailed areas such as around the trim and edges. A foam roller is perfect for larger, flat surfaces of the door, as it provides a smooth finish without any streaks. You might also consider using a mini roller for parts of the door that require more precision. You can enhance the outcome of your project by opting for Glidden applicators, which are specifically designed to deliver a professional-quality finish.
Door Prep
- First, remove the knobs, plates, and lock mechanism, placing them in marked bags for easy reassembly. If you prefer not to remove the hardware, you can either use painter’s tape to mask them or cover them with two coats of rubber cement, which will peel off easily after painting.
- If your doors are in poor condition, fill any holes with putty, then sand and clean them. For dirty doors, use a scrub sponge with soap and water, rinsing afterward to remove residue; the sponge's roughness will help the new paint adhere better.
- If you are going to be painting over an oil-based paint with latex, you must first sand* it lightly and prime it with a good primer, like GLIDDEN® Premium Interior paint and primer. If you do not prime, the paint will rub right off when it is dry. If you are not sure what the old paint finish is, sand and prime to be on the safe side.
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Painting The Door
First Coat:Generally, you start with the frame/casing, working up from the inside bottom, across the top, and then down the other side. If you are painting the walls in the room as well, paint the main door last as it is an entrance and exit point from the room. This way the newly-painted finish will be allowed to dry and not be disturbed.
Note: Don’t paint the top or bottom of a door (the narrow parts that aren’t visible when the door is closed). Leave them unpainted so the door can expand and contract with changes in humidity.
Second Coat:
After the first coat is dry, sand areas, if needed, and then apply the second coat.
As soon as the second coat is on, remove any painter’s tape used to mask the knob and locks.
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Tips for A Panel Door
Sections 1: Use a 1 to 2-inch wide angled brush to paint the recessed areas on the panels. Roll the paint on the raised areas.
Sections 2: Use a foam roller to roll the paint down the center of the door.
Sections 3: Roll the paint across the door.
Sections 4: Roll the paint down the sides of the door.
Section 5: Roll or use the angled brush to paint the outer edges of the door.
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Finishing
- After the final coat of paint has dried, inspect the door for any imperfections, such as drips, uneven areas, or missed spots.
- Carefully remove any painter’s tape used to mask off areas. Do this while the paint is still slightly tacky to avoid peeling off any dried paint.
- Once the paint is fully dry, reattach the door hardware, including knobs, plates, and locks. Ensure everything is aligned properly and functions smoothly.
- Clean your workspace by disposing of any used materials, such as drop cloths and brushes, and store any leftover paint properly.
Final Result
Final ResultThe transformation is truly remarkable now that all the interior doors and trim perfectly match the crisp white risers and balusters on my foyer staircase. It's amazing how a cohesive color scheme can make a space not only look more polished but also feel more inviting and open. By taking the time to ensure that every door and piece of trim aligns with the overall design vision, the entire room now exudes a sense of harmony and elegance.
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