How do I paint an unfinished steel door?

Question

What kind of paint do I use and what is the best way to apply it?.

Answer 1

Skip the primer step that's been suggested. All steel doors come primed. If they didn't, they'd come to you with rust evident.
Make sure the door is clean prior to beginning. Mask off anything you don't want painted. I suggest using a small roller, the 6" variety with an all-purpose nap so it will hold a decent amount of paint. Oil based paint works best. If the door has "panels" you might want to use a brush to reach into the recesses. After all the recesses have been painted, roll over everything. Paint brushes leave ugly brush strokes when the paint cures.
Oil paint takes a while to dry (up to 24 hours). If it's humid it takes a while longer. Block off access to the door while it dries unless you want to find smudges and fingerprints in the final product.

Answer 2

You need a primer and a paint for metal. Use a brush for difficult areas and a small foam roller for the flat surfaces.
Use the primer and let dry according to the directions. Then do the same for the paint. You might need 2 coats

Answer 3

Everyone on this site keeps telling you to prime the door first, if it is a new steel door or a few years old then you dont have to prime it they already come primed and ready for your paint, just make sure you use a good outdoor paint,

Answer 4

You need to prime the door first, then paint it with a good enamel.

However, I'd suggest talking to the paint store clerk to obtain the proper primer to go with the specific paint. It's always best to ensure compatablility.

Answer 5

Make sure it is clean and doesn't have any grease, oil or wax on it. Clean it with alcohol.

What paint to use depends on things like Inside? Outside?

If looks isn't critical, paint it with a brush using a good oil based paint. Oil based paints
are harder to clean up after but I think they are better on things like doors...

Answer 6

i like the belief of purple greater helpful than black; shade and vibrancy. If it replaced into as much as me i could get ingenious with the different colorations too (the siding, shutters, trim, etc.). A steel get entry to door feels like a protection subject; i could in all threat paint it white on the exterior with the intention to make it greater reliable for an unwelcome individual to conceal themselves.

Answer 7

I would put on a coat or two of metal primer first. This will help keep it from rusting.