How To Paint Steel Doors: 6 Steps

Metal doors are great at protecting and can keep you safe while at home, but even these steel giants need occasional care and maintenance. One of the steps to the longevity of your door is painting it. However, painting a metal front door must be cautiously approached and done correctly. It is not enough just to apply the paint you like on the surface and get the perfect result. This way, you will only get a rough texture that will last for a short period.

Our guide will show you the best way to paint a metal door, from preparing to collecting the right materials. We will only show you working methods for painting an exterior door so you can enjoy the result for years.

You will learn how to paint the front metal doors yourself without the help of specialists and specific knowledge. All you need is a little preparation and some money for materials. Let’s get started!

The Best Way How to Paint Steel Doors

As soon as you decide to paint your door without the help of a specialist, you will go through the next steps:

• Door preparation.
• Surface cleaning.
• Sanding the door.
• First strokes of primer.
• Door painting.
• The final stage.

Now you know what the procedure of painting your front door properly. However, you also need to know what tools you will need for the work:

• Screwdriver.
• A hammer.
• Surface for working with a door.
• Degreasing cleaner.
• Sponge.
• Sandpaper.
• Respirator.
• Protective glasses.
• Masking tape.
• Outdoor primer.
• Satin facade paint.
• Small paint roller.
• Roller cover with a short pile.
• Tray for paint.
• Small brush.

Make sure you gather all the necessary tools beforehand, as you will have to remove the door during the work. You may not have enough time to complete a full painting procedure if you keep running around and looking for the missing tools and components to work on. Therefore, take care of this in advance.

You should also pay attention to the year your door was painted if you can find such information. If your door was painted before 1978, the paint most likely contained lead, so you’ll need to remove the paint according to the EPA’s instructions. It is known that lead can poison the organism.

Once you have collected all the necessary materials for work, you can proceed to the procedure for painting a front metal door.

Step 1. Door Preparation

The first step in painting is preparing the door. If possible, remove the hinged door and any hardware on the door at this point. So, you should end up with an exceptionally large piece of metal that you will be covering with paint. If you don’t remove the mailbox, seals, windows, doorknobs, hinges, and other items on the door, you’ll need to tape them up. If you do not do this, the procedure for painting a metal door will slow down significantly, and you will have to do jewelry work so as not to stain small parts with paint.

Also, ensure you can remove your front door for the procedure. Since drying the door depends largely on what the weather is like outside, your work can take up to several days. If you can’t remove the door because it’s your main entrance door and you can’t secure your home anymore, you will need to paint the door without taking it off its hinges.

Step 2. Surface Cleaning

Then you should degrease your door. To do this, you need to use your degreaser on the entire surface of the metal door as directed by the product manufacturer’s instructions. Afterwards, you need to dry the door, and you can proceed to the next step.

Step 3. Sanding the Door

Now you need to use sandpaper. If you have a sanding block, you can use it instead. However, ensure you use protective equipment such as a respirator, gloves, and goggles. This will keep your skin, eyes, and airways safe and prevent you from inhaling the paint.

After sanding the door, you need to clean it again. To do this, wipe the door’s surface and let it dry in the fresh air.

Step 4. First Strokes of Primer

Now you need to apply a layer of primer. To do this:

1. Use a short-haired roller. If your door has recessed sections, prime them first, and then treat the rest of the door.
2. Follow the instructions on the primer packaging.
3. Apply an additional layer if necessary.
4. Make sure the primer is completely dry before you move on to the next step.

The primer will create a protective barrier that will help your paint last longer, keep your doors intact, and not rust over the years. Thus, you will save money, nerves and a lot of time.

Step 5. Painting Exterior Metal Door 

Once you’ve made sure the layers of primer are dry, you can start painting your door. To do this, apply the first layer, and after the paint has dried, apply a few more until you are satisfied with the result. Also, remember that planning is the key to success. If you cannot get your door off its hinges, you should only paint the surface on non-rainy days. 

So, apply a coat of paint early in the morning and let the door dry at night so you can close it in your home. Repeat the same procedure the next day. And keep doing this until you are sure that you have applied enough layers of paint.

Step 6. The Final Stage

Now that the door is completely dry, you can reverse the first step and enjoy your new door.

What Are the Best Paints for Metal Doors?

For a metal door, you can use water-based (acrylic or latex) and oil-based paints, though each has advantages and disadvantages. Your front door will be exposed to the elements, so you should pick rust and fade-resistant paint.

Most people prefer exterior acrylic or latex paint for exterior metal doors because they are simple to maintain and resistant to fading over time. Additionally, it is less messy to use than oil, dries quickly, and is easier to apply. On the other hand, oil paints are better at resisting rust, so if your home experiences a lot of snow and rain, you might need to reapply a fresh coat after a while.

However, always take precautions when working with paint, as it may contain hazardous fumes you can inhale. If you paint a door indoors, you should open the windows and put on a respirator. If you feel dizzy or nauseous after working with paint, stop work immediately and move to a room with fresh air.

Bottom Line

If your metal doors look their best, it’s essential to follow the proper painting techniques. With a bit of time and effort, you can achieve great results that will last for years.

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