Did you know that you can increase your home’s selling price if you use the right paint colour on your door? According to a study, homes with a navy blue front door sell for over a thousand euros more than those painted with other hues. So, if you want to sell your house for more, use navy blue on your front door. Meanwhile, if you are simply remodelling, this hue is still a good option since it pairs well with most traditional exterior paint colours.
It is important to note, though, that using this preferred hue is not enough to improve the appearance of your house. Of course, you need to ensure that the paint job is superb, especially if you are selling your house. Keep in mind, your front door is one of the first things potential buyers will see. A sloppy paint job on this integral house part can turn off potential buyers. Hence, it is important that you ensure that your door is properly painted.
Achieving a good paint job on a door is not difficult. Just follow the steps below on how to paint doors like a pro and you’d surely get an excellent and a long-lasting result.
Have the Right Tools and Materials
One reason why professional painters deliver great output is that they have the right tools and materials. Oftentimes, DIYers and amateurs splurge on the paint but not on the painting tools. This is a costly mistake! Using a trusted paint brand is as important as using first-rate painting tools. For example, a cheap paint brush sheds its bristles easily. These can end up on the surface you are painting on and make the paint job untidy.
Apart from having the proper tools and materials, it is equally important that everything that you’d be using is within your reach when you begin your project. This can help you avoid delays in finishing the task. Note that painting a door can take three to five hours, excluding the drying time. This may further get extended depending on the condition of your door.
Remove the Door
Most pros prefer to paint a door as is, without removing it from the hinges. You can do this also; however, this practice requires techniques to have a flawless output. Otherwise, you’d end up with drips and runs. So, unless you are a pro, it’s best to remove the door and lay it on a sawhorse. Also, do not forget to remove the hinges, knobs and other hardware.
Clean and Prep
Before you remove the door, take note of problems like dents or holes. Also check if the door drags on the carpet or rubs against the jamb. These issues need to be fixed before you apply your paint.
The first thing you need to do is to clean the door thoroughly to get rid of grease and dirt. This is necessary for the paint to adhere to the surface. It’s best if you use a heavy-duty household cleaner to totally get rid of oil, dirt and other unwanted stuff on the door.
Let the door dry completely. Then, remove the existing paint to avoid paint build-up which can prevent the door from functioning smoothly. Use a carbide scraper or stainless steel to do this.
You also have to sand the door. Start with the edges and work your way to the front and back. Use a 120 to 150 grit sandpaper, especially when working on a metal door. Meanwhile, fiberglass doors should be chemically stripped instead of sanded.
Next, fill any holes or dents you see, no matter how small they are. A spackling compound may be used for smaller holes, particularly those which are less than an eighth of an inch. Meanwhile, epoxy wood filler is recommended for deeper holes.
Priming and Painting
On top of helping paint adhere well to the surface, a primer also blocks stains and makes the topcoat appear smoother. So, please do not skip this step if you truly want a professional-looking paint job. After the primer dries, check if there are still blemishes. Spackle any dents or holes you see and apply primer on the area.
It is inevitable for dust and bubbles to appear on the painted surface. Hence, you need to sand the area again to ensure that it is smooth. Wipe or vacuum the surface to rid it of particles. Then, apply your topcoat.
Use a brush to apply paint around panels or windows. For the rest of the surface, use a mini foam roller. This applicator is ideal because it spreads paint evenly and smoothly.
Once the paint is dry, you can install your door. As a precaution, you can put a painter’s tape on the door step or weather stripping to avoid paint transfer.
Let professional painters repaint your doors to achieve an excellent finish. Call us at 086 608 1817 / 085 139 0233 now!
