It can be intimidating to paint. It’s messy and can take a long time, especially if you need to use ladders or paint multiple rooms. But it can be really rewarding too! You can show off your personality through colors and I love having the little memory of, “Remember when we painted this….” Recently I painted my front door—and I love it! It was the perfect little weekend project. Here are my top 5 painting tips.1. Take your time choosing the perfect color. If you can, take a few paint swatches home and tape them up to the door or wall you plan to paint. See how the colors look with the surrounding area. Think about how this color will look through the seasons. I choose a bold yellow for my front door because I wanted a bright accent to my otherwise neutral/wooden home. 2. Choose the perfect finish. Most paints come in flat (sometimes called matte), satin, semi gloss and high-gloss. For my door I choose semi gloss. I usually prefer flat because I like how it doesn’t reflect light.
But for a front door semi gloss or high-gloss is a better option because it can be cleaned more easily. 3. Prep the area you plan to paint. For me this included giving my front door a good wipe down. You don’t want to paint over dust or debris because it will leave bumps in your paint. When painting a dark surface to a lighter color (like a dark brown to yellow) it is a good idea to first paint on a layer of primer. I forgot to buy primer. No biggie, an extra coat of paint did the trick for me.4. Tape everything and watch your floors! Tape around edges and hardware. I choose to leave my door on its hinges as I painted. You could choose to take your door off, but be sure to hang up a thick cloth to keep flies out as much as you can as you paint. This is also why it’s a good idea to complete a front door paint job in the spring or autumn months; you don’t want your door open or off it’s hinges during months of super hot or cold weather. And be sure to cover your floors with newspaper or drop cloths as you work, especially if you have carpet.
Painting can be messy but if you prepare then you can easily keep the mess under control and keep clean up time to a minimum.5. This is essential for DIY painting projects, no matter how large or small. And you are absolutely required to order pizza if you have friends who are kind enough to help. Pizza + painting = a good time!Side note: To paint the frame or not? I choose to paint the frame/trim around my front door because I loved the idea of making the color pop and I felt committed to my color choice. But you can totally choose to not paint the frame, making the door color a little bit subtler and it will feel a little more a part of the house. Just a preference choice—don’t be afraid to do what you want! Shopping Cart is Full You cannot add any additional items to the Shopping Cart Site will log you out You are leaving the BEHR® Consumer website. You will be logged out. Ask an Expert by Email Thank you, Your email has been sent to our experts. Buy Your Paint Online!
Choose a color & order samples & gallons using ColorSmart by BEHR ®.. Paint & Stain Calculators Ask An Expert: How To Advice How to Choose an Interior Paint Sheen How to Choose an Exterior Paint Sheen Determine the sheen based on the surface you are painting. If you're using semi-gloss enamel or hi-gloss enamel, apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat to achieve the smoothest finish. Other Things To Know How to Prepare a Home for Painting How to Use Painter's Tape for Exterior Painting How to Paint the House Body How to Paint Exterior Trim, Fascia and Doors Determine How Much Exterior Paint to Buy Selecting Exterior Paint Products & Colors How to Choose Exterior Paint SuppliesHow To: Paint an Exterior Door Follow these steps for painting an exterior door to increase curb appeal and update your home inexpensively. Share your take on this idea!Upload your photo here. Sometimes, all you need to do is complete a small, inexpensive update to fall in love with your home all over again.
By painting a front door a vibrant color, you get the most bang for your buck and it's easily changed for future updates or owners. Get our FREE front door color chart! How to Paint an Exterior Door High-density foam mini rollers and brushes 1 quart adhesion primer 1 quart satin or semigloss exterior paint (Valspar's Sassy Green is pictured) 1. Remove the door and place on sawhorses outside or in a well-ventilated area. Tip: Allowing your door to properly dry between coats may mean letting it dry overnight. Screw a piece of cut-to-size plywood into existing hardware holes to cover the door opening if necessary.) 2. Remove the hardware and hinges. Cover any glass accents or windows with painter's tape (right). 3. Clean the door by scrubbing the surface with a wet sponge (right), then lightly sand the surface. 4a. Apply adhesion primer to the door using a foam roller (right). 4b. Use a foam brush to paint any raised or depressed panels (right).
5. Using the same technique, apply paint, starting at the center and ending with the sides (right). Apply a second coat for a flawless finish. 6. Hang the door and reattach hardware. Ideas to Boost Curb Appeal Foolproof Front Door Colors Trend Spotting with BHG: Front Doors Curb Appeal Tips: Ranch Home Ideas Explore Exterior Colors with My Color Finder 20 Ways to Add Curb Appeal Quick & Easy Exterior FixesPainting Ideas: How To Paint A Front Door Make a great entrance The front door completes your home's look. The added touch of style acts as your personal stamp and reveals your personality. Whether the statement you want to make is simple & minimal or elaborate & expressive, there is no better place to make an impact to the look of your home than your front door. If you have ornate trim and moldings, a brighter, whiter tone can balance out the detail and cut down on visual clutter. Or, for brick homes – consider using light colors for darker bricked homes and darker colors for lighter bricked homes.
Refinish your front door with these steps Remove your door and place it on a sawhorse outside or in a well-ventilated area. Remove your door hardware and hinges and cover any glass accents or windows with painter’s tape. Be sure to clean your door's surface with soapy water and a wet sponge. Then, rinse thoroughly with water. Once clean, sand the surface and then wipe it clean again.* Use a high-quality exterior Paint + Primer in One with excellent adhesion qualities such as Olympic® ONE™ Exterior in either a Satin or Semi-Gloss sheen. Apply to the door surface using a foam roller. Use a foam brush to paint any raised or depressed panels. Apply** a second coat for a flawless finish using the same technique, starting at the center and ending with the sides.Follow manufacturer directions for proper dry times between coats. Hang the door, reattach hardware and enjoy your beautiful front door.If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust or fumes.
EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST OR FUMES CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a properly fitted NIOSH-approved respirator and prevent skin contact 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 USEPA National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead. Follow these instructions to control exposure to other hazardous substances that may be released during surface preparation.Apply with a high quality brush, roller, paint pad or by spray equipment. For airless spray application, the minimum recommended tip size is .015” and pressure range of 1500 – 2000 psi. When using more than one container of the same color, intermix to ensure color uniformity. Thinning is usually not required. If necessary, thin with up to 1/4 pint or 118 mL of water per U.S. gallon or 3.78 Liters of paint.