How to Paint Doors
Most entry doors used for new house construction over the past 40 years have been steel or fiberglass units. Though some doors are simply flat surfaces, many of them have six simulated raised panels on their face.
Painting these standard six-panel doors isn’t difficult: there’s an accepted approach that professional painters have developed to get the best results in the least amount of time. To paint a six-panel door quickly and easily, follow these steps:
1. Paint the molded edges that define the six framed panels on the door.
2. Paint the flat surface inside each of the six framed panels.
3. Paint the horizontal rails between the frames.
4. Paint the vertical members (stiles) that make up the rest of the door.
5. Paint all four of the door’s edges: the top, bottom, and left and right sides.
Then, after painting the door itself:
1. Paint the head and side door jambs.
2. Paint the head and side casing boards.
The diagram below shows this painting sequence for a typical six-panel entry door.
Once you’re finished painting the door, leave it open until the paint is dry. Then paint the door jambs and stops. Start painting the exterior casing boards where they meet the siding, then paint the front surface of the boards.
