I want to paint my front door as opposed to replacing the storm door for more curb appeal?

Question

it's a wooden door. what kind of paint should I use and do I need to use a primer before the paint. the door is in good condition but we want to sell and need to give it that little extra. the color will be black. please advise!!!! HELP!!!!

Answer 1

I did the same thing.
I did prime the door with Kitlz.
Then painted it high gloss black. It took three coats and I should have sanded and added a poly finish on it.=====

I plan to take it down in the Spring, sand it down and do it right!

It is easier to paint it more effectively "off the hangers". I did not and wish I did. Remove the hardware and painted it..


My friend, just covered her "screen door with black velt" and removed her door completely and worked from her garage for three days.[ long weekend] and did IT right and her's is Arden Red [Asian Red] on a flat stone grey house, its great.

On Thursday night, she rented a hand sander from home depot, got the custom paint (matched a real flower) and a aircompressor /sprayer.
Removed all the hardware and the "peep hole" as well.
She sanded the door-smooth finish, get the texture right-not to the get the old paint off, vaccumed it, dry brushed and wiped it.

Kiltz the door, one coat (oil based) and then let it dry, both sides.

She painted the exterior first (2x's) and then the interior side (2x's) and then added a Poly coat- high gloss. That door is a piece of art. Neighbors just stop and look at it.
She did her shutters to match and WOW it really pops, and brightens the whole street.
She got geranuims to match and I gotta tell ya.
I was jealous. That old house is the prettiest on the street..
She did mention that her inspiration was a Silk Poppy Flower she had. Wow! Bravo! bold move and it paid off.

She took the rest of the paint and painted Resin Plant holders and put them inside the house to carry the color Inside and into the back yard. So clever.

Good luck.
My old house, I painted it dove/blue gray and I painted all white, trims and doors in every part of the house, all the cabinets kitchen and bath and put out grey plant holders with blue panseys. It was only 800sf and it looked great. Yet the monocolor really made it look huge. The inside was All light pale gray (warmer) and white trim. I did use Richer colors to warm up the space with wooden floors and deep scaret red formal cutains (movie theatre style) As a room separator.

Answer 2

Take it off the hinges, use a primer thats rated for exterior use, (it will say right on the label). and prime it. Then use a latex based EXTERIOR paint. Feel free to use the same EXTERIOR paint for the inside as the outside, just dont' use interior outdoors.
If you want a different color for the inside, then just tape (I like the blue masking tape they sell at the home improvement stores, more expensive but worth it, very worth it).

If a friend has an air compressor and an accessory for painting, borrow it...painting the panels in doors is tricky to do with a roller, and brush strokes are very apparent.

You'll have to have your front door off for a couple of days to do this right.....

There are many shortcuts, but shortcuts usually yield shorter results, and I have never been comfortable doing something poorly and making it someone elses problem later.

Answer 3

Red, no doubt about it. It will be a knockout. Also, if you put up a wreath or any decoration on your door that will make that stand out better too. There's lots of reds, from brown-red, also known as barn-red, to bright cherry red. If you have a digital camera you can take a pic of the outside of your house and go to the Home Depot website, download picture, and for only $4.95 a year, upload that and any other pictures of interior or exterior shots around your house, and before your very eyes, see what your house would look like (or your door) painted in different colors. It's really cool. Not too expensive, and a fun way to experiment. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Rent a belt sander, it will save you a lot of time (and aches). Hunt down someone at Lowe's or Home Depot who knows what they're doing, ask them if a primer is necessary, and if a finish lacquer is needed after the paint is dry.
Will you still have a storm door or will the newly-painted door be exposed? Storm doors will protect your work. Potential homebuyers will want a storm door in place also..
Good luck to you

Answer 5

scuff the surface with 120 grit sandpaper. wipe with mineral spirits to remove the dust and let dry. I would use a zinser oil primer. remember that with paint, you get what you pay for. go to ace and get a good quality exterior oil paint. latex is crap. you should put 2 coats of paint on but more may be needed to hide the white primer. be sure to read the paint lable for any other instructions. also, if the other paint was lead-based, dont eat the chips

Answer 6

Sand and primer since it is wood. If you are going to paint it black make sure the framework is of a different color... be bold and daring... you may be surprised. Glossy paint is in, just ask at your local hardware store where you are going to buy your paint... you want one that is going to withstand weather. Good luck. (depending on the color of your house, a black door with dark brick red trim would be pretty)

Answer 7

You can use any enamel paint for outdoor use if the door is exposed to rain.If there is an existing coat of paint on door in good condition you won't need any primer.

Answer 8

I don't know much about the actual painting process, but I will tell you that black may not be your best choice for color. Buyers want the house to feel inviting, and black isn't a very inviting color. I would try something lighter and brighter, or something neutral (depending on the color of your house). The answerer who said to be bold was absolutely right - make it stand out... give them something to remember your house!!
I know that's not what you asked, but I just wanted to give you my opinion (because I'm a Realtor).
Good luck with everything!

Answer 9

If your door is bare wood,you need to use a primer.Weather your door is bare wood or painted you should wash it down with 3 parts water 1 part bleach,than rinse with water to kill any mildew.If your door was painted,than you need to sand it first,dust and paint with an extior trim paint .Wipe a small part or door with a clean rag of denatured alcohol,if the paint starts to rub off on rag or get sticky,its latex if nothing happens its oil.You should paint oil over oil,latex over latex or prime first than you can go either way.

Answer 10

mb u should ask home depot (not tryin to get u to stop askin questions) from what i can gather from home depot commercials, they can really help people out. if u dont noe where a home depot is, go to their website, im sure they'll have a section for locations