How To Paint Interior Doors
Once you have the interior door paint that is best suited for you, it is time to get painting.
What You Will Need:
- Paint
- Primer (if required)
- Paint brush
- Mini-roller
- Various grit sandpaper
- Dust sheet
- Masking tape
- Tack cloth
Step 1 - Preparation
Before you pick up any paint brushes, you must ensure the interior door is ready to be painted. Do not skip this step and this is the key to achieving long-lasting results.
Begin by cleaning the door using a general cleaner & degreaser or some hot soapy water as any dirt or grease will impact the ability for the paint to adhere to the door. After this, give the door a light sand down using a medium grit sandpaper. This removes any imperfections and creates a light 'key' for the paint to adhere to. Make sure you wipe down the door with a tack cloth once you have sanded to remove any dust.
Once the surface is clean and sanded, you can then put down a dust sheet on the floor to prevent spillages and apply masking tape to the edges and to the hinges. We recommend you use a good quality masking tape as this is the secret to achieving those razor-sharp lines. A poor quality masking tape will allow the paint to bleed through the tape.
Some people choose to remove the door handles for the neatest possible finish or even take the door off to paint. You can simply prop the door open halfway if you do not want to remove the door however.
Step 2 - Priming
As we have mentioned in our list of the best interior door paints, some paints do not require a primer. Furthermore, if the door has been previously painted, you do not need to use a primer or undercoat before painting.
In the eventuality that your interior door has been painted using an oil-based paint and you are painting over this in water-based paint, you should use a primer to ensure the best performance possible. If you are unsure whether the door has been painted using oil-based paint, don't worry as there are a number of indicators. Firstly, if the paint has yellowed previously, this is a big sign that an oil-based paint was used. Alternatively, if you put some alcohol on a cloth and wipe the paintwork you will be able to identify whether it is oil-based paint or not. Oil-based paint will not come off, so if the paint comes off, you know its water-based.
The chances are, your door has already been painted, although if it is a bare wood door that you are painting, you should always apply a primer.
A primer is a one-coat system that will help to create a base coat ready to be painted. It is a thin consistency, which makes it very easy to apply a thin priming layer using a paint brush or roller to the woodwork. Be careful not to drip the primer onto other surfaces as once dry it is difficult to get off.
Step 3 - Painting
Once your door is clean, sanded & primed if required, it is time to get painting. If you are using a water-based paint, you must use a synthetic paint brush. This is because natural bristle brushes will absorb water, which is why they are reserved for use with oil-based paints. We highly recommend the Hamilton Prestige 5 Piece Synthetic Brush Set if you want a number of high-quality synthetic brushes that will last you years. You may also choose to use a mini-roller, which will get you a perfectly smooth finish on the woodwork without any brush marks. Something like the Wooster Jumbo-Koter Red Feather 4.5" Mini-Roller Sleeve 2 Pack is perfect for painting woodwork.
Start at the top, slowly work around the edges of the door with your first coat of paint. Once you have painted the edges, you can then use your mini-roller to paint each panel of the door. You will find that the roller will find it difficult to paint within any mouldings, which is why a paint brush is a must.
When your first coat is finished and completely dry, it is recommended that you give this a light sand using a fine sandpaper, such as a 320-grit sandpaper. This is optional but helps to create a beautifully high sheen finish on your doors. Ensure you remove the sand using a tack cloth before applying your second coat.
You can then repeat the process with your second coat of paint. If you are using a good quality paint this will be your final coat, so ensure you achieve a smooth, even finish. Once finished, leave to dry completely before removing any masking tape and reattaching your handles.
