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3 Steps to Prepping a Door Prior to Painting

Painting your entry door provides you a way to improve your curb appeal and have a fresh, new look for your home. Whether you simply give it a new coat of paint with the same colour, or decide to change its colour, there are some things you need to do before painting. Follow these easy methods for prepping the door before painting it.

Clean the Door Thoroughly

The first thing you should do is decide if you will paint the door while it is on the hinges or not. It is definitely easier to remove the door beforehand, but this is entirely up to you. If you are painting a solid wood door, it might be too heavy for you to handle on your own. If you are going to remove it, do so before cleaning it. Remove the door and all the hardware, then lay it flat on a covered surface. You want to clean the door on both sides, including in any crevices, corners, and around the edges. Use mild soap and warm water to remove dirt, dust, and buildup of debris from the door. Rinse it thoroughly and let it dry completely before continuing.

Make Any Necessary Repairs

A common mistake people tend to make when painting their own door is not having repairs done. There might be very minor holes or cracks in the door that you assume you can paint over, but once the paint is dry, they will become very noticeable. Even the smallest cracks can cause new paint to get built up in those areas, making it even more noticeable that there is damage. After you have cleaned the door, look closely at every inch of the door for possible damage. Use wood filler to fill in holes and cracks, then sand over the top until it is smooth.

Sand and Prime the Door

Finally, you need to sand the entire door, then add primer. Sanding the door helps to give you a flat, smooth surface, which makes it easier to apply paint. The primer is going to help the paint stick better and also go on more smoothly. While sanding does take some time, it is worth it when you have a painted door that looks like it was professionally done. With the primer, choose the same colour as what you will be painting it. If you are using a custom colour, you should also be able to get primer custom-mixed to match.

If you'd rather have a professional paint your door or another part of your home, or if you have questions about paint and primer, contact Dyson Painters.