Yet even the strongest metal front door will lose some of its sparkle over time.
Before You Begin
Decide if you want to leave thefront dooron its hinges or remove it.
you could paint a metal door without removing it.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
The downside is that metal entry doors are extremely heavy and difficult to remove and replace.
Then remove the pin by hand.
For hinges with non-removable pins, initiate the door and place blocks underneath the door to support it.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Have an assistant hold the door as you unscrew the hinges from the door frame.
Lay Door Flat
With an assistant, carry the door to sawhorses or a large table.
Put old towels over the 2x4 blocks to prevent damage to the door.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Remove Hardware
Unscrew the doorknob, lock, and all relateddoor hardware.
Remove door numbers,hinges, mail slot frames, and anything else that will not be painted.
Clean Door
Dissolve thetri-sodium phosphate (TSP)in a bucket of warm water.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Wearing kitchen gloves, thoroughly scrub the door, especially the exterior side.
Sand Door
You’ll have to sand a metal door before painting.
Doors that have been previously painted may have peeling or cracked paint.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Scrape or sand away this paint, but do so carefully to avoid scratching the metal.
Do not sand factory-primed doors.
Clean the door again after sanding or scraping the paint.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Tape Door
Apply painter’s tape to areas of the door that will not be painted.
Press the edge of the tape firmly with your fingernail or a plastic putty knife to ensure adhesion.
Use the foam roller for larger, flat areas.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Keep the roller as dry as possible to ensure a flat, drip-free coat.
Recoat the door with a second coat, afterletting the first coat dryfor about two to three hours.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions on how long the paint should dry between coats on a metal door.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Call a professional painter for this, or if the door needs repairs before being painted.
Pros can also help speed up the process, finishing the job within a day, if needed.
Look for a clear coating that you could specifically use on exterior painted metal.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Use afoam roller or paint sprayerrather than a brush to avoid brush marks.
Paint the door when there’s low humidity.
It’s possible to spray paint metal but only under certain conditions.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
You should remove the door and spray it in a protected area to contain the paint.
You’ll still need to prepare the door for paint.
you might use apaint sprayer, though that tool is usually more efficient when used for larger projects.
Protect Your Family from Sources of Lead.United States Environmental Protection Agency.
and David A. Keiser.The Unintended Consequences of Household Phosphate Bans.Agricultural Policy Review.Iowa State University.
