Thinking of Painting Your Interior Doors? Check Out These Pro Tips
Doors are a critical architectural component of every home, and they see a lot of use every day. While the primary function of the exterior door is to keep the home secure, interior doors help separate rooms and other spaces, allowing convenient entry and exit through them. They increase privacy and regulate noise through the house. Due to constant use, interior doors become dirty and discolored over time, requiring a fresh coat of paint to tidy up their look.
Painting the interior doors and trim can drastically transform the indoor space, offering it a unique look. The surface of interior doors is different, and the painting approach depends on the door style. Interior door painting is a simple DIY project for most homeowners. It does not take too much time if they have the essential tools and a little painting knowledge.
Here we mention some valuable tips by the painting experts, especially for the homeowners thinking to paint interior doors to achieve a new look and beautiful finish.
Preparation tips
Preparation is essential before painting any surface, and doors are no exception. First, determine the type of existing paint on the door. It is especially crucial to ascertain the paint type of the old homes, as the doors may contain harmful lead-based paint, which requires professional expertise for its sanding and removal. Buy a lead-test kit before beginning to sand the door.
Choosing the right paint color is crucial as it impacts the overall interiors. Consider selecting matching or complementary paint colors for the trim and door frame based on individual preference.
The right paint finish also plays a vital role in interior door painting. As interior doors are susceptible to fingerprints, dirt, and grime, choose semi-gloss or high-gloss paint finish rather than flat or eggshell. It makes the doors stand out and easier to clean.
Check the door’s condition. If there are cracks, holes, and other imperfections, take up the required repairs before painting.
Remove the hardware or use masking tape to cover them.
Sand the door thoroughly to achieve a smooth surface to paint over. Wipe and clean the door so that the paint adheres to it properly.
Apply a high-quality primer when painting with latex over oil-based paint.
Cover the floor with drop cloths to protect the flooring.
Painting tips
If the door is light, consider detaching it and place it on an elevated surface.
Consider spray painting if there is a time shortage.
Either paint in a well-ventilated area or use a fan to improve air circulation.
For flat doors, use a brush or roller to paint the whole surface at once without any break. For rollers, use vertical strokes, and for painting with a brush, use long and smooth strokes for proper application.
To paint paneled doors, first, paint the door’s edges, then move on to interior panels, vertical strips between the board panels, then the horizontal stripes at the top and bottom, and in the end, vertical lines on the door side.
Minimize the dry time by avoiding thicker coats.
Let the door dry completely before applying the second coat for a smooth and clean look.
Also, replacing the old door hardware with the new one makes a significant difference to the freshly painted door.
Painting interior doors is a cost-effective way to refresh the indoor appearance. For expert assistance, consult a professional painter.
M & B Painting, a Father-Son family-run business, has a proven record of Service Excellence in residential and commercial interior and exterior paint projects. Call us at 623-289-3366 for all of your painting needs!