Painting doors and trim can be a great way to refresh your home. To get satisfactory outcomes, though, meticulous planning and preparation are required.
Start by determining what kind of paint is currently on the door. If it’s oil-based, you’ll need to prime it before applying a new coat of latex.
Surface Preparation
Regarding painting, surface prep is one of the most critical steps. A properly prepared surface ensures the paint adheres well, dries quickly, and produces a long-lasting, vibrant result. Whether you’re a homeowner or professional contractor, skipping this step can lead to costly repaints in the future.
Proper surface preparation includes cleaning, sanding, patching, filling, and priming. Cleansing helps remove dirt, grime, and grease from the surface. Sanding smooths the texture and enhances adhesion—patching and filling repairs holes, cracks, dents, and other imperfections. Lastly, priming prevents moisture from damaging the new paint layer.
If you have oil-based trim paint, you’ll need to de-gloss it. It will help it sand better and help the latex paint adhere to the wood. A scrub sponge saturated with trisodium phosphate (TSP) and sugar soap works great. Before proceeding:
- Wash the surface.
- Please give it a quick wipe-down with a moist towel.
- Let it dry thoroughly.
Primer
A good primer helps the paint adhere, improves sheen, and hides stains. It’s essential when painting over an oil-based paint with latex.
If you need clarification on whether the existing paint is oil-based or water-based, pour some isopropyl alcohol onto a rag and rub it against the surface. If the paint comes off, it’s oil-based; if it doesn’t, it’s water-based.
It’s best to buy a high-build acrylic latex primer and have the store tint it to your desired paint color. A tinted primer may look lighter than your final color, but it will help your subsequent coats of paint retain their color.
Once the primer dries, reassess the door’s surface. Fill any imperfections with spackle or wood filler, smooth the filled-in areas, and apply another coat of primer. Be sure to prime all corners and edges of the door. Let the primer dry overnight, then sand again using 220-grit sandpaper. Lastly, wipe down the surface with a soft cloth dampened with mineral spirits and let it dry completely.
Paint
When painting doors and trim, you want the best-quality paints and primers to ensure a smooth finish. Look for paints explicitly formulated for trim and doors, as they will have better adhesion and coverage than other types of paint.
You will also want to ensure that you use a top-rated brush and roller for the job. Invest in good-quality tools for interior door and trim painting, such as synthetic brushes with long handles or foam rollers with microfiber sleeves for a smoother finish.
Once you’ve applied the first coat of paint, let it dry thoroughly before applying a second. If you paint both sides of the door, start with the mullions, then move on to the main panels, rails, styles, and edges. When your second side is painted, let it dry again, and then rehang the door. If you paint the door’s frame, allow it to dry before removing the hinges and hardware.
Finish
Since doors and trim are subject to frequent wear and tear and require a moisture-resistant finish, selecting the appropriate paint is crucial. Satin and semi-gloss finishes are popular because they’re durable, easy to clean, and complement any color scheme.
If your doors have a glossy finish, it’s recommended that you sand and prime before painting to ensure that the new coat of paint adheres properly. This step is crucial if you paint over an oil-based paint with latex.
When you’re ready to start painting, work on one panel at a time. Begin by painting the mullions, then move on to the main panels, rails, and styles. After each panel is painted, apply a second coat. Then, let the door dry for 24-36 hours before rehanging it. Be sure to warn family members and guests to avoid touching or closing the doors until fully dry.
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