Five Tips and Tricks for Painting Interior Doors Like the Professionals

Every project starts the same way whether you are working on a car, planting a garden, or painting part of the house. Finding out the best ways to do the job and what supplies you need are at the top of the list. Then, learning how to get the best results will make the job more efficient. Knowing the most popular interior colors can be a fun way to liven up the mood in your home. Here are five excellent ways to help you know how to paint interior doors.

Picking the best colors for 2021

Believe it or not, gray interior paint is one of the most popular colors for doors this season. The color is a bit deeper than neutral tones, but still safe enough to add value and character to the home. If bold is more your style, then get ready for a change.

Spring colors are all the rage this year. People are ready to bring the outside in to give them a whole new feeling at home. With families staying in longer than ever, a vibrant color can switch up the entire vibe in the house. Better Homes and Gardens says the top Pantone colors include paprika and teal. Valspar is offering a lighter list of hues for anyone afraid to go too bold, selecting apricot and light gray as top choices.

Get the right supplies

Creating the best look means gathering the necessary equipment for the job, no matter how large or small the task. For painting interior doors, it is best to use a roller and a brush to get an even coat. Other helpful items will include sandpaper, drop cloths, and paint trays. You will want a 220 grit sandpaper to get the right finish for applying paint. Painters tape is a must. You will need to cover the hinges and trim unless you remove the door. Finally, a wood filling agent will even out scratches, holes, and minor damage.

Decide whether to prime the doors

You can avoid this step in two cases. If you have latex paint you are putting on a door with an old layer of latex, then you do not have to prime it. The same goes for doors with an original primer coating. Otherwise, priming the door is the best way to get an even, solid coat that lasts for years. Apply one coat of primer using the instructions below in the how to paint interior doors section. Sand with a 220 grit sandpaper and lightly go over the entire surface before applying the first layer of paint.

Remove the hardware

No law says you have to leave the doorknob on the door when you paint. Most professionals remove this item to cut down the time they spend prepping the door. Plus, you ensure the paint gets around the doorknob opening better. You can take the door off the hinges and paint it that way if it is easier to work using a flat surface.

How to paint interior doors

It is important to know where to start painting. If the door is one solid piece from top to bottom, then working from the edges in is the best method to get an even coat. For panel doors, it is better to cover the panels first, then work out to the edges. If you want to use an interior paint sprayer, then we suggest taking the doors off for more convenient access to both sides.

Solid doors

Always go from the inside edge of the door when it is hanging. Use a brush to get around the hinges. To prevent paint accidents, tape up the hinges before you start working. Expert painters say to wipe off the brush well to stop any drips and splatters.

Painting interior doors is a quick job with the right preparation and painting techniques. Cover the top edge and work to the sides of the door before finishing with the bottom edge. To get the best coverage on the main part, use the roller horizontally first, and then go vertically. Work from top to bottom to get the best effect.

Panel doors

For these doors, it is best to work from the top down. Paint the sides of the panel and the stiles with a brush and use a roller to cover the primary surface. Paint the vertical stiles first before moving to the horizontal ones as you work down the door. Finish the door by painting the edges the same way as you would the solid door edges.

Use these interior paint ideas to get the best results for your inside doors. Let the door dry until it is not tacky. Then, you can sand and add a second coat if you need it. Finally, reattach any hardware you need, and rehang if necessary. Painting interior doors can give you a new look and change the mood.

References:

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/paint/2021-color-of-the-year/
https://www.paintzen.com/blog/pro-tips-for-painting-interior-doors