How to Paint an Internal Door
Your internal doors are some of your home's most heavily used parts; before too long, you may find them needing a new coat of paint. However, without help or experience, it can be tricky to get your desired result, and you may end up with a door covered in brush marks and a patchy finish.
Whether refreshing a door slightly worse for wear or painting it to match your new decor, you will want to ensure you do a proper job. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to paint a door, including what paint to choose, what tools you will need and step-by-step instructions to make sure you get a perfect finish every time.
Table of contents
Should you roll or brush paint a door?
What is the best paint for an internal door?
It may seem like an obvious first step, but it cannot be overstated how important it is to choose the right paint for your door.
Oil-based paints should generally be avoided, especially on white doors and doors facing direct sunlight, as they quickly fade or yellow, leaving your doors looking dirty. Gloss paints though, will last years without fading or yellowing. They also help waterproof your door and are easy to clean.
However, a disadvantage of gloss paints you should be aware of is that they will accentuate existing flaws in the door. Semi-gloss and satin paints are great alternatives that offer the same results as gloss but without this drawback.
Should you roll or brush paint a door?
Whether a roller or a brush is best depends on the type of door you paint. If you have a flat door, a roller will cover the entire surface easier than a brush and won't leave brush marks.
If painting a panelled door, a roller is less suitable as it may cause paint to pool in the mouldings and decoration. A brush is better for these doors as the bristles will fit into the shape of the raised sections.
For the best results, we recommend painting as much of the door as you can with a roller, then using a brush for any panels or decoration and finishing it with a wide brush to smooth out the paint for an even finish.
Whether using a brush or a roller, ensure they are good quality. Mohair is best for both, but microfibre or foam sleeves are also good alternatives for rollers.
What you will need
Materials
- Paint
- Primer
- Paint drip remover
- Sandable filler
Tools
- Paintbrush
- Paint roller
- Paint sprayer (optional)
- Roller sleeve
- Roller tray
- Tweezers
- Paint scraper
- Putty knife
- Utility knife
- Rags
- Bucket
- Dust mask
- Shop light
- Shop vacuum
- Foam brushes
- Orbital sander
- Sanding block
- Sandpaper or sanding sponges
How to paint a door
Step 1: Prepare the work area and door
First, ensure that the area you are working in is properly covered with dust cloths or old newspapers to protect from splashes. If using a paint sprayer, you must cover a larger area as the paint can travel further than expected.
Next is the door itself. While you can paint it still attached to the hinges, we recommend removing the door to ensure it is well-lit while working on it. Laying the door flat will also minimise the risk of paint running.
Clean the door with a household cleaner to remove any grime, particularly on the door handles.
Next, remove the door handles and other hardware (or just the handles if you haven’t removed the door) so they won’t get any paint on them.
If there is any old paint on the door, you can use the paint remover and scraper once the handles have been removed.
Step 2: Fill and sand the door
Fill any dents and holes in the door with a filler that can be sanded down easily. Then, sand the door using light sandpaper or a sanding sponge to smooth out chipped paint or imperfections.
Vacuum the sandpaper dust thoroughly and wipe the door down with a damp cloth. Once it is clean and dry, reapply the filler to account for any shrinkage.
While this is usually the most time consuming part, it is an important step because it will allow the primer to adhere to the door better.
Step 3: Apply Primer
Paint the door with two coats of primer and leave it to dry, preferably overnight. Once dry, lightly sand the door again to remove any remaining imperfections and vacuum up any primer dust left on the door.
Step 4: Paint the first coat
The best way to paint a door is to apply two coats, keeping the first one light. While a heavier coat will cover more of the door quicker, the paint will more likely run and any brush marks will be deeper.
Start by painting the edges of the door with your roller, using smooth strokes to apply the paint evenly.
If your door is flat, use the roller to paint the entire surface in smooth vertical strokes, removing any excess paint to prevent bubbles, drips and marks.
If you paint a panelled door, paint around the panels with the roller, then use a brush to paint the panels and the sides around them.
Once finished, leave this coat to dry for 4-6 hours so that you won’t leave smudges when adding the second coat.
Step 5: Paint the second coat
Add a second coat of paint to the door, using the same pattern as in step 4. Use a roller and then brush out the rolled paint for a better finish, where possible.
Alternatively, you can use a paint sprayer to apply your finish, giving a smooth finish much quicker than painting. You can choose between the Airless or the High Pressure/Low Volume (HPLV) Sprayer.
If you use a sprayer, cover a larger area with sheets or old newspaper as paint from the sprayer can create more mess.
Leave the door to dry for 24 hours, and try to keep windows and doors open to air out the house.
Once the door has dried, reattach the handles and any other hardware and hang your door back in the frame if you took it down. Now, all that’s left to do is step back and admire your handiwork!
Internal doors at Leader Online
You now have the tools and knowledge to refresh your internal doors with a lick of paint and how to get the perfect finish. However, if your doors are beyond help, browse internal doors at Leader Online today and spruce up your home with a brand-new door.
