How To Prepare Old Wooden Door For Painting
Hand sand all the woodwork with 180-grit sandpaper to scuff the wood and prepare it for primer.
How to prepare old wooden door for painting. Protect the floor or raised surface with a drop cloth. If you prefer to leave the door in place cover the handle and all hardware with 2-inch blue painters tape to avoid spatters. If you want to keep the wood grain from showing through the paint trowel a thin layer of spackling compound over the entire surface Ready Patch is one brand available at home centers for 6 for 1 qt.
If the existing paintwork is in good condition there is no need to prime or undercoat the door. Wipe the door down with white spirit and a cloth including the edges and clean dust from keyholes to ensure debris is not collected onto the paintbrush. Once the dust has settled wipe down your door with white spirit.
You need to prepare the surface before you paint it. Prepping an exterior door for painting is the most important stage. Putty knife to work the compound into the wood grain pores and to fill holes.
Painting a door thats fixed on its hinges is a bad idea. Hole in the bottom of the door and two at the top then turn 4-in. Try to replace the nails and screws with the same type size shape and colour so the wood surface has a consistent look to it.
To get a smooth working surface scrape off any peeling pieces and sand down the old paint until the surface of the door feels even all. Watch our step-by-step video showing how to paint an external door with expert advice and top tips to help you complete the job with confidence. Make sure to replace old boards or siding with the exact same type of wood.
For bare wood use 120 grit sandpaper to sand in the direction of the woodgrain and smooth out the surface. Lay the door flat on the floor on sawhorses or on chairs. Lag screws 1-12 in.