How to Paint a Metal Door [In a Weekend} -

When we moved into our new house, everything was white or off white color. I had some other projects I wanted to complete in our house but after having my son five months ago, I was itching to get something to warm up a space in our house.I had seen some entry way photos on Pinterest and I was instantly inspired to give painting our metal door a shot.

Walking down the stairs everyday and seeing this bright white space with outdated hardware just started driving me nuts. The entry way door was the perfect small space I could complete quickly to get a win under my belt.

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The Before

Our door was original to the house that was built in 2003. It didn’t appear to me that it had been painted previously. Our entry way also has two small coat closets right when you walk in. The space is great when you walk in but it was outdated. It had the shiny brass hardware that I wanted to update as well as paint the door.

Supplies for Painting a Metal Door

The actual paint is really important detail when paint a door. You want to make sure you have the right sheen on the door. I personally love semi-gloss paint on doors. It is SO easy to clean. Like all you need is a baby wipe. The only down side is prep is really important because semi-gloss shows more flaws on the door or wall.

Drop Cloth
4 inch roller (I like 3/8 nap for smooth to semi-smooth surfaces)
4 inch roller tray
Painter’s Tape
Exterior Paint
Angled paint brush
Primer
220 grit sand paper

Tips for Painting a Metal Door

Find a good quality paint. The first thing I did was decide on a color. I settled on Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray for the interior side of the door. It is a beautiful blend of gray and blue. There are brands that tend to be more premier overall and Benjamin Moore is one that I would recommend.

Sand the door before your begin. I recommend using a 200 grit sand paper to rough up the surface a bit. If there is any paint currently chipping it will help knock that off. When you go to prime it will help seal the surface back up.

You will want to do 2 coats of primer and 3 coats of paint. In high trafficked areas, you always want an extra coats of paint. Trust me!

Lastly, make sure you are painting in the right temperature. The best temperature to paint outside is 50 to 70 degrees. If you are painting outside of this window, you risk your paint having issues with the consistency when you paint if you decide out this window.

Final Thoughts on Painting a Metal Door

I think painting a metal door is a great way to warm up a bland space in your house. It is also a way to connect design between rooms and showcase some personality in your home.

The key to having a flawless paint is making sure you prep the door properly and use a paint that will adhere well. Doors, especially a front door, is a really high trafficked area and you will want to make sure that prep and finish is done properly to give the professional look in your home.