How to Paint a Door to Look Like Wood?

Doors look like wood are quite expensive these days. A good-looking interior door might enhance the interior or exterior look, but for that, you need to spend more than a hundred bucks. I have gone through several online articles to know how to paint a door to look like wood. Then, I have found out some techniques which I have applied too. Among them, there is one way that can be used commonly at home.

You can use garage door paint primers and gel stains along with some inexpensive tools to make any type of door look like a wooden one. I am telling you the way in short so that you can start your work quickly.

Stuff You Need to Collect

• Rubber Gloves
• Waste papers or cloths
• Screwdriver
• 150 grit sand paper
• A foam brush
• A mid-soft paint brush
• Alcohol-based cleaner
• Liquid wood stain
• Gel wood stain
• Wood grainer machine
• Primer (if needed)
• Transparent paint finish

The painting Procedure

Like some other types of paint jobs, you also need to have almost the same type of preparation. But as you are focusing on a door only, you can do the painting quite easily.

Put off the Door from the Frame

It is better to take off your door from the frame to finish the job without hustling. If you succeed to take off the door, bring the door to a large room or backyard.

Place some waste papers or cloths on the place where you are going to put the door for painting. It keeps the area clean form paint splitting. After that, remove knobs and locks from your door also.

Remove the Old Paint Coat

Take sandpaper and start sanding your door to remove old paint coats. But it is better to remove the old primer coat also. By this, you can give new priming and use your desired stain easily.

Now, take the alcohol-based cleaner and wipe the whole door well. There should be no dust or old paint particles on the door.

Do the Priming

If you have put off the old primer in the previous step, then you need to do the priming. Buy a primer depending on the color and the type of stain you need to use for the main job.

Use a mid-soft brush and give your door a couple of thin primer coats. Let the primer dry for at least six hours.

Use the Gel Stain

Take the foam brush and start using the gel stain you have bought. You should remember to use the stain that makes a good color combination with the liquid stain to look natural. You can go through online sites to see which two colors can combine and create the natural wooden look you want.

In this step, you have to give a couple of coats on the door. You need to be patient while using the gel stain on the door. And also, make sure you take a 15 minutes break before applying the second gel coat after first coating.

Time to Use the Wood Grainer

If your door material is not wood, then you can use the grain machine to put natural wood marks on the door. Pull the grain machine on the door following the foam brush marks.

You need to be a bit careful while using grainer here. Because you have to use the grainer after putting gel coats so that the gel coats remain a bit wet while using grainer. If you put too much pressure while using the grainer, you may pull off the gel coats unknowingly. So, be polite while using grain machine to put marks.

Wipe the Door with another Stain

After a day of gel staining, you have to take the final step of the painting. Take a small piece of cloth and the liquid stain that you have chosen.

Dip a part of the cloth in the stain and politely rub it on the door with your hands. You don’t need to wipe the whole door with the liquid stain. You can only rub the borders, designs, joints, and some other places lightly. By doing this, your door gets a good color combination. The paints can look like normal color mixing of raw wood.

Give a Final Touch Up

When the whole door gets dry after all these steps, you need to use the alcohol paint finish to complete your job. Make sure the finish you are using doesn’t change the color or look of your door. You can also avoid using the finish if your stain is durable and reliable.

Some Advises for the Better Result

So, those are some easy steps to follow to make your door like just like a new wooden door. In fine, I am giving some tips to make your job easier and harmless. I hope you succeed in painting your door without any issues by following my guide.

• It is better to paint both of the door surfaces at the same time if you have the way of keeping the door stand with the help of some supporting things.
• Always use rubber gloves in every step of the job.
• Don’t put any coating in a hurry.
• If you are painting your door in a room, then keep the room well-ventilated.