Preparing the Door for Painting

• 1). Spread the painter's plastic under the door to catch any debris or paint that may fall.
  
  
• 2). Lightly sand the entire door with sandpaper.
  
  
• 3). Look for any dings or gouges in the door and fill them with spackling compound. Once the spackle is dry, sand the spackled areas smooth.
  
  
• 4). Wipe the door down with a rag to remove any dust.
  
  
• 5). With the door open, cover the hinges with blue painter's tape. If the tape overlaps the hinges and sticks to the door, use a utility knife along the edge of the hinges and remove the excess tape so that only the hinges are covered.
  
  
• 6). Put painter's tape around the door handle to protect it from drips and splatters.
  
  

Painting the Door

• 1). Open the paint can and stir the paint to be sure it is properly mixed.
  
  
• 2). Dip your brush in the paint. Don't be shy about getting paint on the brush; the bottom half of the bristles should be covered in paint. Remove the excess by scraping one side against the lip of the can as you remove the brush.
  
  
• 3). Start painting at the top of the door and work your way down, stopping frequently to check for paint drips.
  
  
• 4). Paint any areas with details or trim first, and then paint the wide, flat areas. Paint with the grain wherever possible. On the vertical stiles, paint up and down; on the horizontal rails, paint side to side.
  
  
• 5). Let the door dry overnight and add a second coat if needed. If you are repainting the door the same color, or close to it, one coat may be all you need. If you are changing the color, you will probably need a second coat.