How To Paint An Interior Door: Guide That Will Make Your Life Easier!

The interior door, as the important design element of a room, suffers physical impact on a daily basis. This can lead to scratches and even cracks. Mechanical damage tends to accumulate over time. As a result, scuffs and chips on the door leaf are becoming more noticeable. You can return the structure to its original appearance with our article on how to paint an interior door. In this way, you can refresh the product. It is well worth the expectations of homeowners. Especially if you choose a suitable dye and adequately prepare the door for painting.

Here we will share a guide to make your life easier! Painting house doors can be daunting, but with our tips, you’ll get it done in no time! So, what are you waiting for? Read on to find out more!

How to Choose Paint for Interior Doors

You need to choose the best way to paint your interior doors. To do this, you need to consider aesthetic and technical considerations. What criteria are critical? The most important criteria are 

• material of the door leaf;
• its size;
• product’s location in the room. 

They will help you make the right choice and achieve the perfect result.

The most common materials for interior doors are wood and metal. Painting metal house doors have the advantage of long life. But over time they lose their original appearance – the paint cracks, fades, and peels. To avoid this, you must use quality paint designed for metal surfaces.

As for wooden products, it is worth bearing in mind that different types of wood have other paint properties. Products made of beech, oak, or hornbeam should use oil-based paint. Water-based paint is best for pine, spruce, or alder interior doors.

You should also consider the size of the door. If the interior doors are small, painting them will be much easier. A large door blade requires specialized equipment. Also, it takes a long time to complete the paint job.

The location of the door in the room is another essential criterion. You must consider it when choosing paint for interior doors. You can use light tones if you place the product in a well-lit room. It is better to choose darker shades for doors in a dark room.

Consider the Following Criteria When Choosing Paint:

Besides the above criteria, there are other vital elements. You must take them into account if you decide to paint your interior doors:

The level of traffic in the room. If the doors inside the room have many people passing through, it is worth thinking twice. It is better to choose a more durable and wear-resistant paint. Otherwise, the color will quickly deteriorate from frequent opening and closing. 

Presence of children and pets in the house. There is also something to consider if you have small children or pets. Of course, you must paint your interior doors with safe and non-toxic paint.

Your budget. The price of paint depends on its composition, manufacturer, and type. Choose the most appropriate option based on your financial capabilities. But try not to save too much.

The color of the walls and other interior doors. When choosing paint for interior doors, pay attention to the color of the walls. Also, compare and color other products in the room. It is necessary to create a harmonious interior design.

The desired result. Think about what effect you want to achieve before painting your house doors. If you wish to refresh the door, it is better to use the same shade. You can use a different color if you change the product’s appearance.

Types of Paints for Interior Doors Painting

In search of an answer on the best way to paint interior doors and in what color, you are bound to face the problem of choosing the material. Paints for such a case come in different kinds. And distinguish them by practicality, quality, and capabilities:

If you decide to do everything with your hands, think about how to paint a wooden interior door. What will be more convenient? And how much material will you need? By the way, what other materials will you need?

Prepare the Necessary Tools and Materials

Now that you know what paint to use for interior doors, it’s time to get to work! But before you start painting, you must prepare the necessary tools and materials. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:

• Brush, roller, or sprayer
• Paint tray
• Sandpaper
• Sponge
• Rags
• Primer (optional)

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to start!

How to Paint an Interior Door: The Best Way

So, to paint interior doors perfectly, you need to follow some steps:

• Step 1: Preparation.

First you need to remove the door leaf from its hinges and take it to a place suitable for painting.

• Step 2: Complete cleaning of the surface.

Next, you must clean the dust surface with a lint-free cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a soft nozzle. Remove layers of old paint from before-painted elements. Then sand the piece and coat it with primer to make the new coat “stick” better. It is vital to tape over spare parts to prevent paint from getting in. If necessary, you can degrease and dry your interior doors before painting. 

• Step 3: Cleaning the door frame.

You should sand the door frame with fine grit sandpaper (180 or 200). Coarse grit will leave deep marks on the surface of the wood. These may be visible through the paint layer later on.  

• Step 4: Priming

Before you paint your interior door, apply a coat of primer. 

• Step 5: Mix the paint

Stir the paint mixture thoroughly before applying. 

• Step 6: Apply the paint

Apply two coats of paint on the dried primer, with the necessary intermediate drying. Apply with a brush, a small short-pile roller, or a paint gun. Applying a roller for large areas will speed up the process considerably.

• Step 7: Finish

After painting, allow the house door to dry for at least 24 hours. If you have time, it’s best to give the paint 48 hours to dry completely. Once the paint is dry, you can put the door back on its hinges and install it in its rightful place!

Cleaning Tools From Paint Marks

After painting the house doors, you need to clean the tools: 

After working with a water-soluble product, soak the roller or brush in warm water for 2 hours. Then rinse under running water and dry. Store tools in a dry place. It is best to hang them bristle side down.

Dip brushes with residual solvent-based material into a container of mineral spirits. Make sure it reaches the base of the bristles. Rinse the tool after 2 hours and wipe with a clean cloth. 

Important! Brushes used to paint interior doors with a solvent-based compound cannot be used for water-based compositions and vice versa, no matter how well they are cleaned.

Remove excess paint from the tool when you take a break from painting interior doors. Also, wrap it in plastic or plastic bags. It is acceptable to leave the tools in this way for two days, but no more. You can tape the edges with painter’s tape to keep the air out and put the devices in a cool place.

Now that you know how to paint interior doors, you can give your home a fresh look without spending much money! Painting interior doors is a great way to add bright colors or update the style of your home. So grab some paint and get started!

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