Painting a metal door

**dmclone** · 09-19-2012, 06:59 AM

After 7 years in our house, the metal door between the house and the garage is a complete mess. Any recommendations on type of paint, brush, etc. to get it looking good?

Have a pro do it? Who?

**Acylum** · 09-19-2012, 07:05 AM

Is this a storm door or an entry-type? Have to be careful when choosing a color- if it gets direct sun a dark color can cause it to warp and void any warranty. But no reason you can't do everything yourself. Remove it if possible, sand it, prime any spots that are bare metal and put at least a couple of coats on. Voila, new door.

**GrindingAway** · 09-19-2012, 07:15 AM

Metal doors can be tough to get brush marks out in my experience.

Use one of those little foam rollers.

**dmclone** · 09-19-2012, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by Acylum

Is this a storm door or an entry-type? Have to be careful when choosing a color- if it gets direct sun a dark color can cause it to warp and void any warranty. But no reason you can't do everything yourself. Remove it if possible, sand it, prime any spots that are bare metal and put at least a couple of coats on. Voila, new door.

Entry door.

I'm wondering if I should buy a cheap spray gun to hook to my air compressor. Like GrindingAway said, I'm a little worried about brush marks.

**Acylum** · 09-19-2012, 07:41 AM

I used one of the little foam rollers like he said and it worked great. I wouldn't go to the expense or trouble of spraying it.

**cybsball20** · 09-19-2012, 07:45 AM

There are some new spray paint products made specifically for these kind of doors. Take your time, do it right, and you should be able to get a really good finish on it with about four cans of spray paint.

**intrepid27** · 09-19-2012, 07:56 AM

It's almost imposible to get a smooth finish with a brush. I once paid an o****ody guy $75 to paint mine. But that was 10 years ago in a rural area.

The guys at Lowes or Home depot should give you good advice. You probably realize this but no matter what you do you will have to take it off and lay it flat.

**Scott34** · 09-19-2012, 08:58 AM

Best way to go is spraying the door. If you guys dont really use this door and wont see it up close every day, you could prolly get by using a foam brush. But the only way your going to get a finish yout happy with is by spaying the door.

**ISUAgronomist** · 09-19-2012, 09:02 AM

I've not painted a metal door but some farm equipment at work.

Cheap spray gun>>>>Brush or roller.

Thinned the implement paint with naptha to get even coverage and rapid drying. Looks great.

**ZombieCyclone** · 09-19-2012, 05:25 PM

make sure to look for rust spots and attend to those before priming. the rust will come back quickly.

**Rabbuk** · 09-19-2012, 05:29 PM

Is there any rust or is the paint starting to chip that you're painting over?

**b3r3m** · 09-20-2012, 04:39 PM

You're making this too complicated. I did this when we first moved into our house. The builder left the paint that was used on the front door so I just used that. So it was probably a paint for exterior use. I left the door on the hinge and painted it when it was nice enough outside to leave it open. Taped off the handle and used a small foam roller as well as paint brush for the panel indentions. You only see brush marks on the first coat so by the time I was done, there were no marks to be seen. I also added a kick plate at the bottom.

**dmclone** · 09-20-2012, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Rabbuk

Is there any rust or is the paint starting to chip that you're painting over?

No rust. The only problem with the door is that it was getting nasty by the door handle so I decided to "touch it up". That area is now darker than the rest of the door and you see brush marks. I think I used the paint that was intended for the walls instead of the door.