How to Paint a Door

03 Dec How to Paint a Door

Does your interior door need a new paint job? You may add it to your list of upcoming DIY projects, but painting an interior door is time-consuming. Whether you choose to paint your door as it hangs or remove it to work on a flat surface, preparing your door takes decision making, strategy and hard work. This project can also cause serious issues in older homes if you’re not properly prepared. Professional painters have the experience to make the process more efficient, and they’re aware of any potential complications.

Three Interior Door Painting Tips

At Neighborhood Painting, we want to give you the choice between DIY and hiring a painter. We’re committed to empowering you to make improvements to your home and supporting you when you need us. To help you make an informed choice, here’s our advice on how to paint interior doors. This guide will also outline potential challenges and how our painters prepare for those situations. Here are three of the most helpful interior door painting tips.

1. Remove or Cover Doorknobs and Hardware

If you leave your door attached, you must remove or cover your doorknob. When you remove your door from the frame, you can take off even more hardware. Though your door’s mechanisms might seem simple, putting them back together can be confusing. Some homeowners label bags for different parts with instructions on how to replace them. Professional painters can put everything back together with expertise and efficiency.

2. Fill Holes and Cracks Before Sanding

Older doors may have imperfections from years of wear and tear. Use wood filler, putty or spackle to fill any holes and cracks. Use coarse sandpaper to even out the fillers, then sand the entire door with fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface.

Depending on the age of your home and its doors, major problems can occur during sanding. If your door was painted before the 80s, there’s a good chance the paint is lead-based. Releasing those particles into the air is dangerous for you and your family. A professional painter has access to safety equipment to sand the door and clean the surrounding area.

3. Prime Your Door

For new doors, check the product details to see if the manufacturer primed them before distribution. If you’re repainting a door, put rubbing alcohol on a cloth and smear it against the old paint. If the old color transfers to the cloth, it’s latex. If the paint stays put, it’s oil-based. You won’t need to prime a door with latex paint, but you will have to apply primer over oil paint. A professional can make informed recommendations for paints and primers.

Serving the Kansas City Metro Area

Painting your interior door is an involved project that you may not want to treat as a DIY. If hiring a professional is the best decision for you, contact Neighborhood Painting for a free quote and information about our interior residential painting services. Call us at 913-709-6151 or submit our contact form today.