Your first step will be to give the entire surface a thorough cleaning to remove the stubborn dirt and grime that s built up over the years.
New wooden door paint.
Consider a paint additive to slow down drying and improve leveling.
Choose an interior door paint color if you re painting your door white and have white trim around it i recommend using the same paint color and finish as the trim.
Almost every inch of your home requires some amount of maintenance including your front door.
Painting a door is a race against time.
If your door is paneled start with the panels.
Once the dust has settled wipe it away with white spirit.
Since your door will be exposed to rain sun wind and other elements you ll need flexible and mold resistant exterior paint.
We recommend using an electric sander to make a quick job of it but you could use a flat scraper.
Getting an outdoor wood surface ready for a fresh coat of paint isn t difficult but it does require a little prep work to ensure that the new paint has a smooth stable surface to cling to.
Paint a flat door with a brush pad or roller with a 1 4 inch nap or foam sleeve.
If you use a roller backbrush immediately with a wide brush or pad to smooth the roller stipple.
Using semigloss exterior paint and a 2 inch angled sash brush with synthetic bristles paint around the edges of the panels.
In either case set aside time perhaps a weekend to select a color purchase supplies and complete the task.
Alternatively wash the door with detergent and water if it is painted.
Painted doors are prone to chipping over time and can require touch ups.
Remove the door knobs and all other hardware from your interior door to simplify the paint application.
Select door paint for one primed exterior door you ll need at least one quart of paint.
You have to lay down the paint and smooth it out before it becomes too sticky to work with or so stiff that brush marks won t level out and disappear.
If you re replacing the old hardware make sure the new hardware will match.
The texture that rollers impart works well for walls and ceilings but isn t attractive on doors or wood trim.
Wipe it down with a damp rag just before painting.
For wooden doors with flaking cracked or peeling paint use 120 grit sandpaper to sand away the paint down to the bare wood.
Sand it with 120 grit.
However occasionally you may be ready for an entirely new look.
Choose paint recommended for interior doors such as types with a durable gloss or semi gloss sheen that makes it easy to clean.
Switch to a mini roller.
Sand the door with a palm sander and 120 grit sandpaper if it is made from new unfinished wood.