How to Paint a Metal Front Door

Before You Begin

Decide if you want to leave the front door on its hinges or remove it. You can paint a metal door without removing it. However, removing a door and painting it flat is preferable because this minimizes drips and allows you to reach difficult spots.

The downside is that metal entry doors are extremely heavy and difficult to remove and replace. Plus, you'll need to complete the painting job within one day or have plans for securely closing up your house at the end of the day if the project isn't completed.

Though removing the door takes some time and effort, it is the recommended method, as your door will have a cleaner, smoother finish.

Best Type of Paint for Metal Doors

• Metal door in direct sun: If you are painting a metal front door that gets a lot of sun, use an oil-based exterior paint. A door that directly faces the harsh sun won't bubble or fade if painted using an oil-based exterior paint.
• Metal door in indirect sun: If your door is not in the direct line of severe sunlight, use two or more coats of high-quality exterior acrylic-latex paint for painting your metal front door. Glossier paint sheens are easier to clean and last longer. Use semi-gloss or gloss paint for your front door.
• Primer: Many new exterior doors come pre-primed. If so, you'll be able to apply the paint directly to the door.
• Bare metal door: If the surface is bare metal or has any bare sections, you will need to apply metal primer to the door before painting. Or you can use direct-to-metal (DTM) paint. DTM paint can stick to metal without priming.
• Interior metal door: For interior metal door surfaces, or the interior surface of your metal front door, you can use top-quality acrylic latex interior paint with good blocking resistance. (Blocking resistance will eliminate two painted surfaces sticking together, such as when the door is closed and in contact with the jamb.)

How to Paint a Metal Front Door

 

1. Remove Door

   For hinges with removable pins, insert a nail set or a nail upside down at the bottom of the hinge and lightly tap upward with a hammer. Then remove the pin by hand.

   For hinges with non-removable pins, open the door and place blocks underneath the door to support it. Have an assistant hold the door as you unscrew the hinges from the door frame.

 

Lay Door Flat

With an assistant, carry the door to sawhorses or a large table. If using a table, lay short 2x4 blocks under the door to elevate the door for better access to its edges. Put old towels over the 2x4 blocks to prevent damage to the door.

 

 

Remove Hardware

Unscrew the doorknob, lock, and all related door hardware. Remove door numbers, hinges, mail slot frames, and anything else that will not be painted.

Clean Door

Dissolve the tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) in a bucket of warm water. Wearing kitchen gloves, thoroughly scrub the door, especially the exterior side. Rinse when finished.

 

Sand Door

You'll have to sand a metal door before painting. Doors that have been previously painted may have peeling or cracked paint. Scrape or sand away this paint, but do so carefully to avoid scratching the metal. Do not sand factory-primed doors. Clean the door again after sanding or scraping the paint.

 

 

Tape Door

Apply painter's tape to areas of the door that will not be painted. Press the edge of the tape firmly with your fingernail or a plastic putty knife to ensure adhesion.

 

Apply Primer

If your metal door needs primer, first brush on the primer to narrow sections or on textured or molded areas. Follow by rolling on one to two coats of primer with the foam roller. Let the primer dry for about 30 to 60 minutes between coats.

 

 

Paint Door

Paint the door with the color coat by first brushing the paint onto narrow or bumpy areas. Use the foam roller for larger, flat areas. Keep the roller as dry as possible to ensure a flat, drip-free coat.

Recoat the door with a second coat, after letting the first coat dry for about two to three hours. Read the manufacturer's instructions on how long the paint should dry between coats on a metal door. In general, you may need to wait six hours between coats of paint though it will typically take about 12 hours for a metal door to completely dry.

 

 

Replace Hardware

When the door is completely dry, replace the door knob, hinges, and all other hardware. Mount the door with the assistance of a partner to hold the door in place.

 

 

• How do you seal a painted metal door?

  Look for a clear coating that you can specifically use on exterior painted metal. A good coating will offer protection from issues such as rust, corrosion, fading, damaging UV rays, and other natural elements.

• How do you paint a metal door without brush marks?

  Use a foam roller or paint sprayer rather than a brush to avoid brush marks. Paint the door when there's low humidity.

• Can you spray paint a metal front door?

  It's possible to spray paint metal but only under certain conditions. You should remove the door and spray it in a protected area to contain the paint. You'll still need to prepare the door for paint. You can use a paint sprayer, though that tool is usually more efficient when used for larger projects. If you are using canned spray paint, you will likely need a couple of cans to complete the job.