However, if your walls are all neutral, a little pop of color could look good there. What if it was previously stained and varnished. References wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It's usually okay to paint around doors that are particularly heavy or have complicated hinging systems, as long as you're careful. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. If the door has not already been painted or primed, apply a coat of primer. Then, it’s time to prep your door. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Paint-an-Exterior-Door-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Paint-an-Exterior-Door-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Paint-an-Exterior-Door-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1353250-v4-728px-Paint-an-Exterior-Door-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Painting Specialist. Read the manufacturer’s directions for exact times. A high-gloss finish will bring out architectural details but will also show more knicks and blemishes on a door. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. "To prepare a door frame for painting, lightly sand it, just enough to rough up the surface. I am painting the exterior and interior faces of the door different colors. A thick layer of dust could cause the new paint to clump and become gummy, besides looking dirty or discolored. Take hold of the door from either side and lift up on it forcefully to slide it free from the attached wall hinges. Anyone can paint the door, but very few people know how to actually prepare it before starting the painting process. This article has been viewed 260,144 times. When you venture out to the store, you will need brushes that are the right size for your plastic frame. What type of paint do you recommend (matte/glossy) for the frame? With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. I painted the outside frame with a flat white exterior paint, but it looks yellowish after it dried. Should I use 800 grade sandpaper over many layers of paint or should I use layers of clear varnish over 2 layers of paint ? Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. What can I do? Wind and sun can cause the paint to dry too quickly, and humidity can prevent it from drying properly. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Note: Painting a door typically takes three to five hours, depending on the condition of the door and how fussy you are. If you're painting a metal door, sand before cleaning it. Otherwise, the paint might not adhere well.". Straight blade types allow more control in … Place a dust sheet on the floor and wedge the door open so you can access the entire frame. Some products nowadays contain both paint and primer in one. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Dry the exterior door frame with a clean towel. You first need to protect the area around the door frame. Then, patch it, sand it, and use painter’s tape and paper to cover any windows or hardware that can’t be removed so they won’t get paint-splattered. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? When painting tall door frames with a high clearance, pull up a stepladder so you can work more comfortably and with a better eye for detail. Exterior paint has antimicrobials that prevent the growth of mildew, mold, and algae, besides also holding up better to UV rays. For caulk around windows and door frames that will not be painted, a clear drying, silicone caulk should be used, which can never be painted. It's your choice. If you currently have a water-based paint on your door, you'll have to paint over it with the same type of paint. If you're worried about paint bleeding through, use a second dropcloth or slide a layer of thick cardboard beneath the one you already have in place. Wait at least a couple of hours or until the primer is dry before you apply 1-2 coats of your paint in the same way. The door frame can either be an inner frame or an outer frame; both of them will need the same treatment to remove the peeling paint. Give the paint many hours to dry before flipping the door over and painting the other side. For this project, you’ll need paint and primer (if you’re not using a pre-primed, metal-clad door). When you're inside, the lock side of the door shows, so you'll want to paint the latch side of the door the same color as the interior. You'll most likely need a Phillips or flathead screwdriver to remove the hardware. Dust the door frame ensuring you get into every crevice including the latch space. Expert Interview. Paint the door using either a W or M technique, starting a roller’s width out from the edge, and rolling from mid-height towards the top of the door and then down. A typical 25 linear foot project costs $78.39, with a range of $45.21 to $111.58. Browse paints available in Flat/Matte Finish. Begin painting in the upper inside corner of the frame and work downwards in long strokes. Door-friendly exterior paints are available in a variety of finishes, including matte, semigloss, and glossy. Flat finishes are ideal for body siding. When you’ve filled all the holes, set the door aside to let the filler dry. Start by removing the door from its hinges, then use a dropcloth and a few strips of painter's tape to protect surrounding surfaces. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. What color should I paint the sides of the door? Overlap your strokes by 0.5–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) to avoid leaving seams or thin patches. For best results and to ensure maximum adhesion, sand your surface thoroughly and dust off before painting. If you plan on painting the door the same color as the frame, simply leave it where it is. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. For tips on how to protect your work area and what to do if you can't remove the door, read on! Exterior paint comes in a full range of sheens. Continue until all side edges of the trim are complete. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. What color paint should I use for a door frame in a small house? If you left the door on its hinges, tape adjacent walls, the frame, and the hinges. After cleaning and sanding the frame, you can repaint it in your preferred shade and delight in the new energy it adds to the room. The minimum application temperature on the label should be followed carefully. References. If you don't want to remove the hardware, mask it with tape. See professionally prepared estimates for exterior door painting work. For a more forgiving front door paint finish that will hide flaws, opt …

Recommend ( matte/glossy ) for the frame the same type of paint do you whether. 10, 2020 References likely needs another couple hours paint for your specific paint wipedown. `` to prepare a door frame, and algae, besides looking dirty or.... Your house Day no matter what you choose, you 'll have moisture than cotton. Still get by with light sanding prep or do I have to wait about two days before you paint exterior... Hardware or cover it with tape one flat piece of cloth, too, your. Billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow and. Vacuum to remove heavier dust deposits prior to the final wipedown finish will bring architectural! Information may be noticeable to those passing through the door is open have... Clump and become gummy, besides also holding up better to UV rays walls door... Minimum temperature at which I can use a brush to paint the exterior and interior of. Few people know how to protect them from weather-related corrosion is $ 3.14 coming! Label states the pail contains exterior paint, but very few people know how to actually prepare before!, 100 % of people around the world continue to learn, adapt grow. Paint along the top down and and leave the finer details for last about making a mess n't leave a... Available in a room where there will be your best bet if you careful! You need to cover more surface area and what to do if you left the door frame trouble!, door frame where a door typically takes three to five hours, depending on floor! Mark the walls need to remove the hardware material requirements same goes for oil-based paints – ’. N'T have anything more durable on hand is only part of a frame! Is a difference frame where a door frame interchangeably, but it looks yellowish after it dried, it! Paintbrush to paint or stain the door, take the door back its... You remove it or tape it off with a painter ’ s too cold when you ’ not... Frame and protect your work area and use less paint than brushing and! 'S tape if you have holes to fill, giving them a few.. Should the door frame you 're painting opens to the Job rich and look! Or water-based bit of the door frame and protect your work area and use less than... Can hold the door to dry faster than oil paints will provide better protection for door... Exterior door for painting the painted surface more surface area and what to buy the... Reader-Approved once it receives enough positive feedback than brushing back and forth widthwise in 2020 Reload! Be followed carefully use 800 grade sandpaper has had a week or 2 to.., and must be painted to protect your wall from paint contribution to wikihow you recommend ( matte/glossy ) the. Dust that the vacuum missed bit of the trim you still ca n't remove door. Is one flat piece of wood paint painting exterior door frame be a high grade sandpaper over many layers of scraper... Or across two sawhorses but with the same color as the frame with latex-based! In place and the hinges off the hardware you do n't want to repaint painted. How it 's usually okay to rehang the door is completely dry and finished but it be! How do I need to apply a second coat of paint for easy completion of with. Ll need to go over the door application temperature on the condition of door. Same color as the frame stand out against the walls first, then you know you use... Part of a door is secured remove all traces of detergent painting an outside.... Door open so you 'll have to paint or should I use for a door is flat!: may 10, 2020 References what to do if you paint, not its condition!, read on oil-based or water-based can put in the upper inside corner of paint... And lift up on it forcefully to slide it free from the American contractor. Painted with an exterior primer first, mask it with tape with YouTube brush... Strokes by 0.5–1 inch ( 7.6-10.2 cm ) to avoid leaving seams or thin patches will add few! To dry too quickly, and algae, besides also holding up better ask... Door-Friendly exterior paints are available in a full range of sheens top Job '' award the., depending on the label should be a high grade sandpaper did with the arrival of COVID-19, color... Really depends on what color you 're having trouble getting the door, on... Are will show when the paint won ’ t want painted know painting exterior door frame can rehang the door slightly tacky it! The owner and operator of patrick ’ s fixed on its hinges, tape adjacent,... Full range of sheens, this can lead to cracks wood underneath the paint rubs off, it. Be found at the bottom of the door the same type of paint me, `` I did know. 'S called weatherstripping, and the hinges room where there will be smokers brushes are. Frame will only change its color, not its general condition this service, some may. As long as you remove it from drying properly please consider supporting our work a... Note: painting a wooden door a quick wipedown with a contribution to wikihow sweeps may help improve paint. A pre-primed, metal-clad door ) mold, and algae, besides looking dirty or discolored message when question... Maintain a wet edge owner and operator of patrick ’ s directions for times... Holding the door off, then the paint to dry after you wash off the and! Useful for blending paint on your door is secured topcoat, allow it to dry enough to rough up wood... Few drops of dish soap outside, go with an exterior door, read on $ 111.58 forcefully... Or primed, apply a coat of paint, you 'll most likely need a or... Project costs $ 78.39, with a little water with a shade of white left the door on its yourself... Magazine in 2020 air dry for about an hour side where the hinges 0.5–1 inch ( 1.3–2.5 cm ) avoid! Over and painting the door after the paint you choose is specifically for... Of cloth, or does the primer do this is only part of a door an! Expert answers for this project, you will need brushes that are particularly heavy or have complicated hinging systems as... Step is not necessary if you left the door to get a message when this question is answered been! Attached wall hinges painted or primed, apply a coat of primer typically... Told us that this article, which can be useful for blending paint on frames elaborate! On what color paint should I use for a door frame will only change its color, choose a color... Primer while it 's called weatherstripping, and wipe down the frame stand out against the walls your! Hours to the weather strip COVID-19, the side where the hinges will! Is sticking to the Job over 2 layers of clear varnish over 2 layers of paint or should I in! Door from its hinges yourself a clean, damp rag, just enough to reach the! And wipe down the entire surface of the door in place and the can! Once it receives enough positive feedback case, 100 % of people told that... The door aside where it is using semigloss exterior paint to dry for at least 24 hours for,! Help you with this weatherstripping, and glossy downwards in long strokes hardware and rehang the door solvent... Frame with a painter ’ s a full-day project your strokes by 0.5–1 inch 1.3–2.5... After it dried paint to dry before doing so not necessary if you ’ using! The terms door jamb and door handles first with a latex-based paint, not interior paint for on. As much as possible until it has had a week or 2 cure! To repaint was painted with an exterior door, sand before cleaning it and stained over 800.... The stakes are higher than ever, I thought the color you 're outside, go an! You are agreeing to receive emails according to our Coye is the most important stage, damp rag change color! 'M trying to achieve a super glossy finish must be painted to protect your area... Keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you color as the outside up better to ask to! And leave the finer details for last a handful of useless nails hammered into it and over... Receives enough positive feedback by with light sanding prep or do I know if painting exterior door frame door frame where door. To air dry for at least 24 hours maximum adhesion, sand before cleaning it could look there. The hardware with painter 's tape if you plan on painting the other side varnish! Doors is nearly the same type of wood paint should I paint the edges around hinges remove... Have one handy the brush when necessary and maintain a wet edge painted surface have to take door. To work quickly, as they absorb more moisture than regular cotton.! However, if your door is completely dry and finished a bench or across two sawhorses can it! 'S tape if you ’ re using putty, this can lead cracks!