How To Paint A Front Door Like A Pro

A good quality front door paint will protect your door for years to come and make it easy to maintain. Read on to learn how to paint a front door like a pro and the best way to choose the best paint for your front door.

Step 1. Choosing the best front door colors

First things first: If you’re wondering “What color to paint my front door?” or “What paint to use on my front door?”, here’s how to decide.

Look at the color(s) of your house and the style of your home. You’ll want to choose a color that goes with the rest of the house.

For example, the below shows a warm tone house with a bold nature brown-tan-orange rock face (not a very welcoming hue nor does it have massive curb appeal.) The last thing it would need is a layer of brown front door paint!

That said, it’s important to know that there are no ‘best’ front door paint colors, it is a matter of personal interest!

Step 2. Sanding away the old door finish

Take a bit of 220-grit sandpaper and start sanding your door face, keep your hand loose.

Start by gently sanding the grooves – if your door has any.

When performing a quick sanding, it’s helpful to keep in mind that you’re not necessarily out to achieve a uniform color in the sanding. Some sections are bound to need a bit more sanding.

If you find yourself looking at an area that seems to need more sanding, go by feel instead of by look – stop sanding every few seconds and run your fingers over the area. If it feels smooth, no matter what it looks like, you can move on.

Another tool that you can use in removing the existing door paint is the putty knife. While it is designed to apply putty to fill in cracks and nail holes, a 2-edged putty knife also makes an ideal tool in scraping off old door paints.

But be careful not to apply too much pressure or you might risk gouging the surface of your door.

Step 3. Cleaning up the dust after sanding

Sanding the door can result in dust accumulation. Wipe cleaning the door is thus an essential step in prepping your front door.

You can use something as simple as a baby wipe.