There are many interior painting projects you can do. The walls are often the most common, but the trim, ceiling, cabinets, and the doors are other surfaces that can always use a fresh coat. Whether you are looking to update your home’s style or simply offer a maintenance coat, we at L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc would like to focus on the interior doors and share some tips to make the project quick and successful.

How to Paint Interior Doors

1) Remove the door from the hinges. This first step is often the most frustrating. Some doors come off the hinges relatively easily, where others want to offer you a challenge. Though it may be tempting to paint the door as is, you can lay it on a flat, even surface, avoid drips and runs that mar the finished product and have a quality paint job. Once removed and it is laying flat, take off the knobs, plates, and lock mechanisms. Mark the hardware to help you remember where they go and if you are doing multiple doors, which door they go to.
2) Clean door. Painting over dust, stains, buildup, and even fingerprints looks ghastly. Paint won’t adhere well to dirty doors either. Use warm water and a few drops of mild liquid dish soap to wash the doors down. Ensure the door is completely dry before you continue.
3) Repair holes in door. Any holes, no matter how small, and dents that are up 1/8 inch deep should be spackled with a compound filler. If there are any deeper holes, use a two part filler or an epoxy wood filler to fill them. Smooth the filling with light sanding, and wipe away the debris.
4) Prime door. Primer makes the topcoat glide on smooth and even as well make the new paint stick and cover better. Any stains that were not removed during the cleaning process will also be blocked with primer. If you are changing the color of the door, use a gray-tinted primer. Once it has dried, assess the door for any flaws, if you find any make adjustments.
5) Sanding door. If any bubbles or ridges are on the door, quickly sand he door after priming to get rid them.
6) Painting door. Invest in a high-density foam mini roller instead of a brush to avoid the obvious brush strokes and lap marks. Work upwards from the bottom to the top staring with the frame/casing. Leave the sides and top, or the parts that are hidden when the door is closed, alone because it can alter how the door shuts. Plain doors can have the paint applied with a foam roller and an angled brush for the sides. For paneled doors, consider the following technique:
– With a wide-angled brush, paint the recessed areas of the panels first.
– On the raised areas of the panels, roll on the paint.
– Using a foam roller, paint down the center of the door next.
– Roll paint across the door and then down the sides of the door.
– On the outer edges, apply the paint with an angled brush or roller.
– Let it dry completely before re-hanging.
Be sure you allow the door dry to cure two days after you have hung before you close it.

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To ensure the interior doors in your home are smooth and sleek when you are ready to have them painted, call the experts of L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc and let our professionals do the rest.