How to Paint a Front Door

The key to getting a great result when decorating is preparation.   First, clear an area near the door to remove the risk of damage or stains to the inside or outside of your home.  Move any furniture out of the way and use a Seriously Good Cotton Dust Sheet, which has a polythene backing to prevent spills from penetrating, to suitably protect the floor. Secure the dust sheet using some Essentials Masking Tape to prevent the sheet lifting and mitigate frustrating spillages on your flooring.

Having protected the area you can now start to prepare the surface. This is a crucial step so don’t be tempted to skip ahead.  The wooden surface should be clean and smooth before painting.  Sand the door down using Ultimate Fine Sandpaper or a Seriously Good Fine Sanding Block. As you sand, use your hand to identify the rough areas which need more attention. It is only necessary to remove the topmost layer of paint at this stage. If you notice that the existing paint on the door is particularly thick or heavy, take a look at our more in-depth guide on how to smooth finish with gloss paint!

When it comes to painting a front door or any other entrance in the home, a primer must be applied to prevent any stains from sap, or other contaminants from coming through the wood and ruining the top coat. This is even more important for external surfaces which must deal with harsh conditions year round.  Shake your new tin of primer thoroughly then open and stir well to ensure a smooth consistency.  Dispense a small amount of paint into a Handyhold, then using the Ultimate Triangular Gloss Brush, paint any shaped areas in the door panels. When these areas are completed, make sure to finish away from the corners, so you do not get a build-up of excess paint.

To ensure smooth coverage for larger flat surfaces, use the Ultimate 4-inch Gloss Roller.  On paneled doors paint the flat sections of the panel first from left to right, then top to bottom. Next, paint the horizontal sections starting at the top and working your way down. Finally, complete the process by painting the long vertical sections starting with vertical furthest from the hinge and then working your way in.

Once the primer has fully dried, lightly sand the door to remove any minor imperfections from the priming stage. Next, clean the surface with a cloth and then apply the top coat gloss, eggshell or satin paint mirroring the Harris-approved tips used in the previous step to achieve an enviable finish.

A final, optional step is to take the Ultimate Gloss Flat Brush with a very small amount of paint and very lightly and carefully go over the large flat areas. This process is known as laying off and although it takes some practice to master, this is the way a skilled decorator will create a perfect glass-like finish. Explore this step in more detail with our how to paint a window sill video!

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