DIY Door Painting Tips for Homeowners

Just when it seemed that the economy was on the mend after the ‘Great Recession,’ along comes Brexit and the uncertainty returns. With trade agreements with the UKs biggest trade partners in the EU up in the air, more and more people are spending on the conservative side when it comes to home improvements. If you are among millions looking for ways to do a bit of much needed repair, why not look at a few DIY door painting tips for homeowners redoing exterior doors.

Always Take the Door Down

The one thing that many people get wrong when painting their doors, exterior or interior, is in leaving them up when painting. Whether you are painting your door in the same colour as the trim or doing it up in a totally different colour, the one thing you should be aware of is that it’s hard to keep the paint from dripping when the door is left standing. Also, it’s extremely difficult to sand and prime in an upright position attached to the frame. Plan to do exterior doors on a pleasant day that is not too hot or cold and when the air is dry. Rainy days just won’t do!

Remove All Hardware

Once you’ve removed the door from the frame it’s time to remove all hardware. It is suggested that you also remove the hinges from the frame and then sand and paint the frame as well. Leaving hardware on the frame will make it almost impossible to keep paint off the hinges and there is nothing as unsightly as paint on metal hinges. When it comes to the door itself, this would be the time to replace old locks if you are looking for greater security. You are not limited to traditional locks and deadbolts, so check out newer security options that will add that extra bit of security every homeowner needs.

Preparing the Door to Be Painted

Never skip this step! There is nothing more hideous than a door that has paint on top of paint on top of paint. Start out by cleaning all the dirt and grime off the door before using paint remover or sanding it down. This is part of the process that is extremely important and partially because most paint thinners / removers are made from substances that just aren’t made to cut through grease and grime. If you’ve never prepared a door to be painted before, you might want to do a little online research to walk you through each step as you go.

On to the Painting Stage

Finally, it’s time to paint your door. Only use exterior paint that is designed to withstand the elements and is waterproof. Remember to keep the door flat as you paint to avoid those tell-tale drips that scream “DIY, DIY, DIY!” After all, you want your door to look as though it is fresh from the factory and nothing is more telling than those little drips that give new paint jobs away. When one side is completely dry, flip it over and do the other. There is nothing to say that you can’t use a different colour for the inside so keep this in mind as well.

Start early in the day so that your door will be complete and dry before nightfall and you can safely hang it once again. If you need to install new hinges, this is the time to do it. When you’re done you’ll have a door with the finish of a professional painter and at a cost that actually makes sense. Why pay a pro when you can Do-It-Yourself?