How to Paint an Interior Door

Many people think of redecorating a room as an arduous process that costs more than they are willing to spend. However, often it takes nothing more than a fresh coat of paint to liven up a room and give it a fresh look. Often, simply painting the interior doors in bright colors is enough of a makeover for any room. This is a guide on how best to paint an interior door.

Personally, I find choosing a color to be the most fun part of the job. Head down to your local home repair store and ask for color samples. Some paint makers even offer smaller, less expensive containers of paint that allow you to take them home and try them out and see what the finished product looks like, before committing to a particular color. Pick a color that you like that won't clash with what your room looks like how or with any potential redecorating. Don't forget your primer!

With a screwdriver, remove all the hardware (nuts, bolts, and hinges) from the door. Then, remove it from the frame completely. Some people don't mind propping the door against the wall in order to paint it, but I've found that the best way to do it is to lay the door across two saw horses either inside or outside. This will allow for even strokes and there's less chance of getting paint on surfaces other than the door.

After all the hardware is removed, clean the door, removing any dust or grime. Go over the area where the hardware was with a clean dry rag. When the door is clean, it's time to apply a coat of white primer on the top side. Allow the primer to dry overnight -make sure you know what the weather will be if your door will be outside.

The next day, the painting begins. Apply one or two coats to the top side of your door. Use painter's tape to make sure you don't paint over any holes for screws or hinges -and don't forget to paint the edges! Allow the door to dry overnight.

Next, repeat the primer step with the other side of your door, allowing it to dry overnight after it's been cleaned and primed. Then, paint it just as you did the other side. After your second side has dried it's time to reapply the hardware and attach the door back to the frame.

Painting an interior door might seem like a complicated task since it takes a few days. However, each step takes very little time and the benefits definitely outweigh any inconveniences!