Exterior doors are heavy and can be awkward to move –
you'll usually find it easier to paint them in place
instead of trying to take them off their hinges. However,
removing the doorknob and latch bolt makes the job a whole
lot faster and neater.
With the door upright, you'll have to be aware of catching
drips and runs. Work one small, defined area at a time and
try not to overload your paintbrush. Make sure all six
sides are covered to protect your door from rotting,
cracking and expanding.
First, apply paint
to the inside of the top panels. Smooth out the
paint, working with the grain, doing the recessed
areas first, then the faces of the panels.
If the door has a
vertical center stile, paint this next, and then
blend in the brush marks from the center stile when
you paint the horizontal rails.
Paint the rails
(horizontal framing members), starting with the top
rail and working your way to the bottom.
Paint the remaining
vertical stiles, starting on the left. Feather the
brush marks from the rails while they are still wet.
Keep the line as straight as possible along the edge
where the stiles meet the rails. Brush or roll the
edges, but be careful not to get any runs on the
face of the door.
First, apply paint
to the inside of the top panels. Smooth out the
paint, working with the grain, doing the recessed
areas first, then the faces of the panels.
If the door has a
vertical center stile, paint this next, and then
blend in the brush marks from the center stile when
you paint the horizontal rails.
Paint the rails
(horizontal framing members), starting with the top
rail and working your way to the bottom.
Paint the remaining
vertical stiles, starting on the left. Feather the
brush marks from the rails while they are still wet.
Keep the line as straight as possible along the edge
where the stiles meet the rails. Brush or roll the
edges, but be careful not to get any runs on the
face of the door.