Interior doors often get a lot of traffic. Designers suggest choosing glossy paint, which is much easier to wipe clean than eggshell or flat shades.
Test whether you need to prime by rubbing a rag over the door and trim surfaces. If oil-based paint rubs off, you’ll need to prime it before applying a fresh coat.
Prep Surfaces
While painting doors and trim may seem daunting, proper prep, tools, and techniques will make all the difference.
Start by removing hardware and masking areas on walls and floors near or touching the door and trim. You’ll also want to protect door hinges and knobs with tape or duct tape.
If your door is painted with oil-based paint, use mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean the surface. If it’s latex, a non-clogging cleaner should suffice.
Sand the surfaces smoothly with 180- or 220-grit sandpaper or sanding sponges (look for the non-clogging kind). Wipe away dust and vacuum again before moving on. This will help achieve a silky-smooth finish that stands up to wear and tear. Then caulk any rough spots, if needed.
Primer
Many paint brands now offer a “paint and primer in one” product that saves time. However, these products don’t perform as well as a standard primers and only help with coverage.
Stain-blocking primers are the best choice for hiding water damage, severe smoke stains, and other blemishes that don’t come off with simple sanding or cleaning. These primers are available in low and no-VOC formulations for easy cleanup and can be tinted gray or a color close to your finish paint to reduce the number of topcoats needed when changing from light to dark or vice versa.
Bonding primers are designed under flat or enamel finishes on plastic trim, molding, green board, and drywall. They are quick-drying and can be sanded in just two hours. These are good for rehabilitation and can be used on wood trim, crown molding, and stair railings.
Sand
Whether your door is weathered and scratched or needs a touch-up, take the time to sand it before applying your new coat of paint. This step will help your new paint adhere and look its best.
Using a wood filler or spackle, scrape the holes and cracks on your door, and then sand them smoothly to ensure they’re ready for a fresh coat of paint. It’s important to fill these areas because otherwise, the imperfections could get bigger over time and jeopardize the integrity of your door or surrounding trim.
Aim for 80-grit sandpaper, then 120-grit, to remove sun-baked flakes and old varnish from your doors or trim. Remember to always sand in the direction of the grain to avoid leaving nubs of dust that will show through your final paint coat.
Fill Cracks
If you have a door with a crack, fill it before you start painting. Leaving the crack open can lead to future problems that will require repair, including gapping splits.
Apply a top-rated wood filler or spackle to fill the crack and sand it smooth. This will help ensure your new paint won’t chip or peel.
When working with recessed panel doors, consider using a specialized tool to eliminate the need for taping. This superior straightedge provides an easy way to get crisp lines, and it’s designed for no-mess use on trim.
It also helps you avoid the mistake many beginners make by applying too much pressure on the brush when cutting in. This can cause the bristles to pull up and smear the fresh paint underneath.
Paint
Whether painting over an existing color or starting from scratch, choosing the right shade is key. It’s also important to select a paint that’s easy to wipe clean, especially on doors in high-traffic areas.
Experts recommend rubbing a rag over the surface if you need clarification on what kind of paint was used on a door. If paint transfers to the rag, it is likely oil-based and needs to be primed before you apply latex.
For paneled doors, it’s a good idea to remove the door knob before you begin painting so that you can work around it more easily. Otherwise, gravity can cause unsightly drips or globs that will be difficult to remove. It’s also best to paint in one go rather than stopping and restarting, as the paint will dry unevenly.
