How to Paint a Front Door
Step-by-step guide to painting a front door: sanding, priming, choosing exterior paint and sheen, applying with a brush and roller, and protecting the finish from weather.
Decorate · Exterior
A front door repaint is the highest-return exterior cosmetic project per hour of work. It takes a half day, requires one quart of paint, and produces a result visible every time someone approaches the house. The technique is simple; the product selection matters more than the brush work.
What You'll Need
Tools: 2.5-inch angled sash brush, 2-inch brush for panel details, 80 and 220-grit sandpaper, tack cloth, painter's tape, screwdriver.
Materials: Exterior door paint (quart), exterior primer (for bare wood or poor adhesion), exterior wood filler, liquid deglosser as sanding alternative.
The Steps
01 · Assess door condition
Inspect for peeling, bare wood, gouges, and moisture damage. All loose paint must be removed back to a sound surface before repainting — applying new paint over peeling paint produces double the peeling within one season.
02 · Remove all hardware
Remove knob, deadbolt, and kick plate. 5 minutes. Paint around hardware is always visible and always looks amateurish at the close range a front door is examined.
03 · Clean with TSP substitute
Hand oils around the knob, oxidized finish from UV exposure, and general grime prevent adhesion. Wash, rinse, dry completely before sanding.
04 · Sand or degloss
Scuff entire surface with 80-grit for mechanical tooth. Alternatively, apply liquid deglosser (Wilbond) to a well-adhered existing coat. Either way: tack cloth the entire surface before painting.
05 · Fill and re-sand patches
Fill gouges and gaps in wood doors with exterior wood filler. Let dry, sand smooth with 220-grit, tack cloth again.
06 · Tape and prime
Tape door frame, glass, and bottom edge. Prime all bare wood, patches, and stripped areas. Allow full dry time before topcoat.
07 · Paint in sequence (raised-panel doors)
Panel faces first, then panel recesses and molding, then stiles (vertical), then rails (horizontal). This sequence prevents wet-into-dry lap marks at panel edges. Always include all four edges of the door — they are the moisture entry points.
08 · First coat: light and even
Long smooth strokes with the grain. Maintain a wet edge. Thin coats avoid sags and runs. Let dry fully per label (2–4 hours typical).
09 · Sand lightly with 220-grit, second coat
Knock down dust nibs between coats. Tack cloth. Apply second coat same sequence. Two coats is the standard; three for dark colors or south-facing doors.
10 · Pull tape and cure before closing
Pull tape at 45° while still soft. Do not close the door for at least 4 hours — fresh gloss or semi-gloss paint on a door face will stick to the jamb and tear when opened.