The wooden doors in the house are cozy and elegant. If you want to fix old doors or refinish new doors, learning how to paint them correctly is a great project for DIY home decor experts and beginners. With the right tools and the right process, you can paint wooden doors to highlight their natural beauty and texture, and learn how to protect the paint with finishes to make doors last for years.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare the door for painting
Step 1. Remove the door from the hinges
It is important to remove the door and lay it out on a plane to paint properly. Most wooden doors should be able to be removed fairly easily, without fear of damaging them. Do not try to paint while they are hanging on the hinges.
To remove the door, pull the pins that hold the hinges together with a screwdriver. Push the pins up until they slide off the door hinge plate, then remove it
Step 2. Remove the metal parts
To avoid staining door handles, knockers, locks, and other metal parts, it's important to unscrew everything attached to the door and remove it so you can only paint the wood. Most of these pieces come off by unscrewing them and they should come off quite easily. Keep everything in order to find the pieces later when the door has been painted.
Step 3. Place the door on trestles
It is usually best to place an easel in a well-ventilated area before painting, as level as possible and preferably at waist height. Putting the door on a workbench may be fine, but on trestles is even better.
Step 4. Sand the door thoroughly
If the door is painted or has been painted previously, it is important to sand it thoroughly before attempting to paint it. Even if the door has not been previously painted, treated, or sanded, it is also good to sand it to open the fibers so that the wood takes the paint more easily.
- Use an orbital sander or a sanding plate with 220-grit sandpaper to sand the door quickly and remove small imperfections. Always follow the grain of the wood.
- It is also sometimes common to wipe down the door with a dust cloth before applying the paint. Tack Cloth is a yellow piece of adhesive gauze that helps remove sawdust and other sediments from the surface to be cleaned. Use it to clean the door and choose an area of paint that is as dust-free as possible.
Step 5. Choose a suitable wood varnish
Always use a good quality paint with a petroleum base mixing according to the manufacturer's instructions. Some people think that a gel paint is suitable for smaller areas, while others prefer poles for their versatility. Go to the shop and choose a paint type and color that fits your door and the project you have in mind.
Method 2 of 3: Painting the Door
Step 1. Put on protective goggles and gloves
When using paints and sanding it is important to wear protective clothing, gloves, goggles, and a respirator if you are indoors. Avoid contact with face and skin.
If you're painting in the garage, it's also vital to wear respiratory protection and ventilate the area as much as possible. Take frequent breaks and make sure you get enough clean air into your lungs. Stop immediately if you start to feel dizzy
Step 2. Apply a coat of paint
Spread the paint onto the wood with a lint-free cloth folded into a pad. Paint evenly, with the door lying flat so the paint doesn't drip down the grain of the wood.
- After the first light passes, without adding more paint, apply another 3 to 8 times, always following the direction of the wood grain. Always follow the grain in a single motion and without stopping.
- Some wood workers prefer to apply the first coat with a brush, then go over the paint while it is still wet with a rag to smooth it out and create a more even effect. If you use poly or gel paint it is sometimes better to use a brush, as opposed to a lint-free cloth. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and use the appropriate tool and technique for the paint you are using.
Step 3. Let the paint set for the recommended time and wipe clean with a dry, lint-free cloth
Depending on the project, the type of wood and the variety of paint you use at this point you may be ready to finish or you may want to apply a second coat or more. If so, it is important to let the paint dry, sand with 0000 steel wool or 220 sandpaper, and repeat the staining process.
Use a clean, lint-free cloth to remove excess paint and to avoid uneven puddles of paint that will form dark spots. As the paint dries, a kind of fluff will form that you will need to remove with the steel wool, with gentle and regular movements along the grain of the wood. There is usually six to ten hours of drying time between coats
Step 4. Apply as many coats as needed
Now if you want you can dip the cloth back into the paint and repeat the process until you get the desired color. Continue to paint the wood by passing it between one coat and the other with 0000 steel wool until you get the color you want.
Once you are satisfied with the appearance of the wood, stop and do not touch it until it is completely dry. Do not use steel wool or sandpaper or anything else. Let it dry for several hours, then wipe it off with a clean, lint-free cloth
Method 3 of 3: Refine the Door
Step 1. Choose a suitable finish for the door
After painting the wood you will need to protect it with a finish that can isolate and protect it. There are matt, glossy or semi-gloss finishes and different coats are needed. Always follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.
- Water-based finishes are a little more environmentally friendly, but they can also cause that lint that the paint also creates. Apply the finish in the same way you apply the paint using steel wool or sandpaper between one coat and the other.
- Clean the surface with a wet rag. Let the wood dry completely before applying the finish; if necessary, sand lightly before starting.
Step 2. Use a bristle brush or foam to apply the finish
Follow the same basic steps to apply the finish, making long, even strokes with the brush to create an even layer. Use a cloth to wipe off excess finish if necessary.
Read the manufacturer's instructions for the waiting time between coats, usually between two and six hours
Step 3. Sand any bristles that appear after the first coat of finish
Apply at least two more coats on top of the first one that will be heavier sanded. After the last coat you will not have to sand anymore.
After applying all the coats of finish, let the door dry thoroughly and wipe it with a clean cloth to make sure it is completely free of dust and clean before putting it back in its place
Step 4. Re-attach the metal parts
If you have removed the metal parts, put them back in place and prepare the door to put it back in its place. Get a friend to help you hold it while you screw back the fixtures and re-attach the pin on the hinge to finish the job.
Advice
- Seal the top and bottom of the exterior doors. This helps to "enclose" the wood from minimal swelling on rainy days.
- Use a lint-free cloth to clean the door between sands.
- Take a piece of wood grain similar to what the door is made of. Apply the chosen color in small areas until you have the desired results. It is better to be wrong here than on the door.
- Better to use an insulator to ensure an even paint and prevent mottling.
