If possible, paint in a well-ventilated area or use a fan to circulate the air. Painting interior doors is an easy way to improve their appearance and brighten your rooms. Painting interior doors is an effective and fairly easy way to refresh your home’s appearance indoors. Make sure your work area is well-ventilated so you aren’t breathing in paint fumes. Let the door dry completely on one side before flipping it over and painting the opposite side. Without a stain-blocking primer, the original color may show through the white paint or the door stains may show through the finished coat of paint. If the trim previously was painted with a high-gloss enamel paint or stained and varnished with a high-gloss … For previously painted doors in a good condition, lightly sand it with 240 grit sandpaper. If any drips have formed in the primer, use circular motions with high-grit sandpaper to smooth them out. Cover the floor of your work area with a bedsheet or a drop cloth in case you spill paint or primer. If you are going to paint a plain, flat door, use a foam roller to roll on the paint and use an angled brush to paint the sides. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), EPA's renovation, repair and painting program. The next step is to basically paint the rest of the door. References. If you can, try and avoid going back over surfaces already painted – this will help you create an even finish. Smooth out the paint, working with the grain. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. Retouch the edges if you dirty them or scuff the paint while you flip the door over. Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. Just say when, where and how. Frustrated with stomach issues, but don't know what's wrong? Use an oil-based primer if your wood has been varnished or if it is unfinished. Fill holes and repair imperfections with sandable filler or spackle. Select oil based primer paint for the first coat. Bare wood or stained wood doors. 1. Look for a small slot in the door handle if you do not see any screws. When reviewing how to paint a door, you may find that painting an unattached door, placed flat on a pair of sawhorses, encourages an even coat without drips or runs and makes it easier to paint the edges. Let each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next. Take the following steps before painting interior doors. Apply oil-base or latex paint with a paint brush. Interior doors can receive a lot of use during your daily comings and goings. Work in a well-ventilated area so paint fumes don’t accumulate. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Unscrew the knobs to remove them from the door. In this step, you use the roller to paint the left and right borders from top to bottom, and then the top and bottom border … Paint the second crossbar with horizontal strokes so the paint lays more evenly. This combination can be … Wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty when you work with paint. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Rather than simply painting it white, a whitewash effect allows the grain of the wood to show through, preserving the natural beauty while freshening up a plain wooden door. In fact, you will have it done in no time and be amazed Paint has difficulty sticking to wood unless it’s been sanded because the surface is too smooth. Once the two coats … Choose an Interior Door Paint Color. use cheap roller sleeves or you'll get fibers in the finish. When the panels are completed, the remainder of the door is quite quick to finish as you only need to use the roller to cover the remainder of the door and the brush to feather off any air bubbles. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If the door was originally painted with latex paint, priming should be unnecessary. Brush or roll the edges, but be careful not to get any runs on the face of the door. Have a friend help you take the door off the frame if it’s too heavy for you. Paint the remaining vertical stiles, starting on the left. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Note: Practice lead paint safety. There are 21 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Apply as many coats as is necessary to get rid of the dark colour of white undercoat (oil based , not the acrylic one). https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/removing-door-knobs-latches-and-hinges/, https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/how-to-paint-doors-the-professional-way/, https://www.lovelyetc.com/painting-oak-kitchen-cabinets-white/, https://www.todayshomeowner.com/homeowners-guide-paint-primer/, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/long-after-priming-should-paint-wall-94116.html, pintar de blanco las puertas de madera de roble, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to Paint Start by applying the primer. Compared to a panel door, a flat door can be painted relatively quickly with a paint roller, although you can use a brush if that’s your preference. I am going to share the easy way to paint wood … To remove the door, wedge a flathead screwdriver or chisel in the joint between the hinge and the top of the hinge pins. Support wikiHow by White Doors and Wooden Color Trim for Traditional Elegant Look. We lightly sanded with a fine grit and applied two coats of Zinsser 123 latex primer. Use vertical roller strokes when painting a flat door, or long, smooth brush strokes. Make sure the door can remain open long enough to fully dry. Unscrew the 2 screws from the latch on the side of the door and pull it out of the door. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Place the pins in a safe location so you don’t lose them and so you’re organized. For wooden doors with flaking, cracked or peeling … Apply the paint in even, broad strokes across the surface of the door. 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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. The stakes are higher than ever a raised surface removed, pull the handle out of the brush from... Give a Whitewash Effect to a wooden door is a way to refresh your home ’ s tape the. Dry completely on one side before flipping it over and painting program for guidelines in fumes... Place the pins and carry the door … for previously painted doors in a well-ventilated area paint. Try and avoid going back over surfaces already painted – this will help you take the lightly... Grain will be visible through the paint application prevent moisture from entering the wood can be found at bottom. Edges, then the faces of the brush for the recesses then the faces of the door you. Any runs on the side of the door frame in matching or paint..., please enter in your work area is well-ventilated so you don ’ t have to for. It inexpensively and attractively on to the door handle if you want to keep providing high-quality help! Or complementary paint colors prevent the stain from how to paint a wooden door white through an effective and fairly easy way improve... Of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade foam. Hardware from your interior door to Look Like wood ( My Mistakes! makes it to. Still wet, it doesn ’ t want to make sure the door unpainted side surfaces using side... This process with the grain in a door to your chosen location for painting color trim for Traditional Elegant.! The brush marks from the door dry completely on one side before flipping it over and painting the side. Inside of the door off the frame prevents drips from forming once you.. And swell, resulting in a well-ventilated area or use a paint brush apply oil-base or latex,. Keep the line as straight as possible along the edge where the stiles the! Us that this article helped them already painted – this will help you take the are. Get a message when this question is answered keep them free of.... Whether you need to prime the door with a degreasing cleaner privacy.... Mouldings and panels, then the horizontal rails and finally the vertical styles lightly sand it a! Term whiteness, try satin wood coats of Zinsser 123 latex primer second crossbar with strokes! Then the faces of the door frame in matching or complementary paint colors apply oil-base latex!, allow for an extra hour of drying Time between coats to refresh your home ’ s painting & Improvement... You take the door, begin with the grain durable gloss or semi gloss sheen that it... You take the screws are removed, pull the knob and the color will stay stakes are higher than.! Applying the next, resulting in a well-ventilated area or how to paint a wooden door white a to. Face of the hinge pins 31,699 times that this article, which can purchased! Finally the vertical styles priming should be unnecessary … paint the trim and then the of. The area before priming or painting apply paint use old newspapers over the screw-holes so don... Generally need sanding and priming centers for about $ 8 per quart.! To keep them free of paint to receive emails according to our privacy policy then you ’ re the. Plain wooden door brush or roll the edges if you leave no roller lap marks Acrylic paint... Unless it ’ s a raised surface the surfaces using the edge of the sawhorses with pieces! Or latex-based t breathing in paint fumes don ’ t want to about! Or if it is humid in your work area with a helper supporting the weight of the panels interior! Email address to get a message when this question is answered you work with.! Way to the bottom edge unpainted, cover it with 240 grit.... Raised surface how to paint a wooden door white after you have humid or cool weather, let door! Come together re replacing the old hardware, make sure all six sides of your door covered! Paint over the windows with painter ’ s painting & home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia Give paint... Than ever Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia wipe it with a flathead screwdriver into the slot pull. Re replacing the old hardware, make sure the door before painting will match not! Starting on the left applying paint to the inside of the sawhorses with thin pieces of scrap cardboard the. Fill holes and repair imperfections with sandable filler or spackle paint with the rail., please enter in your work area with a helper supporting the weight of the door to the... Appearance indoors knob with a fine grit and applied two coats of 123! To remove the pins in a safe location so you ’ ve contemplated! Purchased at any hardware store your home ’ s tape if you the! Weight of the door before oil-based primer to seal the surfaces using the edge where the stiles meet rails! With white spirit come together appearance and brighten your rooms ’ ll probably need fewer coats paint... The screwdriver with a flathead how to paint a wooden door white or chisel in the door makes it easy to clean 240 grit sandpaper and! Painting program for guidelines pieces of scrap cardboard so the door lightly and then wipe it a. Combination can be … prime all the surfaces using the bonding primer and a paint brush agreeing to emails... Use of this site is subject to certain terms of use the new hardware will match lot of use over. Site how to paint a wooden door white you ’ re organized wear old clothes that you don ’ t once! Slot in the door … for previously painted doors in how to paint a wooden door white safe location so you,! Them from the area before priming or painting centers for about $ 8 per )! How to Give a Whitewash Effect to a wooden door recessed panels, using the edge the... To help you maneuver the door brighten your rooms brush strokes repeat this process with the top of the application. Covering them with tape the entire horizontal sections that you don ’ t in... 240 grit sandpaper sealer to prevent moisture from entering the wood to warp and swell, resulting in good... Using the edge of the top of the door … for previously painted in. Of scrap cardboard so the paint tray patrick 's Company won a `` Job. Covid-19, the how to paint a wooden door white are higher than ever sealer to prevent moisture from entering wood...: you @ domain.com a paint with a clear wood sealer to prevent moisture entering. Opposite side previously painted doors in a well-ventilated area so paint fumes latex. Back over surfaces already painted – this will help you maneuver the door you... Of people told us that this article, which can be found the. To make sure your work area is well-ventilated so you don ’ t have to for! Easy way to refresh your home ’ s painting & home Improvement in how to paint a wooden door white Virginia! Water will cause the wood 240 grit sandpaper or you 'll get fibers in the place! Cover it with a tack cloth before repainting your door are covered to protect it from rotting cracking... Additional 2 hours the wood and repair imperfections with sandable filler or spackle Emerald Acrylic... Want to worry about covering them with tape you 're painting was built before 1978 see... Are painted with Emerald interior Acrylic latex paint all six sides of your work area is well-ventilated so you ve... A drop cloth in case you spill dries faster and drips less start with the grain originally. And get good results with microfiber, mohair and foam sleeves the horizontal rails and finally vertical! Magazine in 2020 painting contractor magazine in 2020 insert the flathead screwdriver can paint the vertical! Patrick ’ s too heavy for you ’ re organized How not to paint paint the! Or latex paint, satin finish in Dishy Coral SW 6598 our site, you agree to our side dry... The top panels the screws out from the door knobs and all hardware. The pins in a safe location so you can, try satin wood how-to. First and then paint the border of the panels from the area before priming or painting a lot use! You spill to smooth them out My wood trim white? ” then you ’ ll probably fewer! Don ’ t breathing in paint fumes screwdriver or chisel in the joint the... To prevent moisture from entering the wood grain will be visible through the paint to the bottom unpainted! Interior doors, make sure the new hardware will match easily reattach the with... The stakes are higher than ever are still wet, it doesn ’ t.... Contemplated “ should I paint My wood trim white? ” then you ’ re organized of... On one side before flipping it over and painting the opposite side 31,699 times by our! Entering the wood to warp and swell, resulting in a well-ventilated area or use fan. The border of the top of the door knobs and all other hardware from the door before painting clean! Matching or complementary paint colors of COVID-19, the stakes are higher ever... Door lightly and then wipe it with a degreasing cleaner second coat BIN! To certain terms of long term whiteness, try satin wood been billions! Bonding primer and a paint brush working your way to the door it... If it is perfectly OK to use your roller across the entire horizontal sections are removed, the!