Tools for the Job

To paint a door you will need;

Procedure

• Paint the edges of the door first using the 1” paintbrush.
• Be sure to cover the top and bottom edges well to protect against wet rot.
• Next paint the faces of the door using the 4” paintbrush in sections in numerical order as shown in the diagram below.
• Paint the rear face of the door next using the 2" paintbrush, first covering each vertical panel, and finishing with the ledges and braces.
• Don’t overload your brush with too much paint as this will encourage runs. These are especially likely where the boards meet.
• Check back over the door and remove any developing runs by brushing them out and laying off with and upward stroke.
• Now paint the front broad side of the door, following the grain and covering each vertical board completely, before moving on to the next, as shown in the diagram.
• As you complete each section, lay off the paint with a light upward stroke using the tip of the brush.

Painting order animation

How much paint will I need?

It is recommended that gloss or vinyl silk paint is used for the top coat on doors as they are the most hard wearing.

• A single coat of primer, covering both sides of a door will require 0.5 litres of paint.
• A single coat of undercoat, covering both sides of a door will require 0.5 litres of paint.
• A single top coat of gloss, covering both sides of a door will require 0.5 litres of paint.

Further information and useful links

• Click here for our guide to paint
• Click here for more painting & decorating topics
• Click here for more windows & doors topics

• Find a Decorator near you
• Find a Paint Materials store near you
• Find a Door supplier near you