The front door of your home is one of the first things people notice when they arrive at your house. Whether your home is for sale or you’d like to give your house a makeover, re-finishing the front door is a great place to start. The best part is, it’s easy to do yourself! For a fun, personalized look, choose a bold color that compliments the color of the rest of the house. Or if you’re going for a more subdued appearance, neutrals like grey, white, or soft earth tones work well with lots of siding colors.
To start, unscrew the hinges and remove the door. Remove knobs and other hardware, and lay the door on a horizontal workspace. Sand off as much of the old paint as you can; an electric belt sander is best for this job. Once sanded, dust off the door and apply a light coat of mineral spirits.
Next, start priming! Choose a primer appropriate for the color you plan on painting the door. White is great for light colors, while a grey color will work best for darker shades. Let the primer dry completely before putting on your first coat of paint.
After the primer has dried, you can start painting. Make sure you use a paint formulated for outdoor use so that it withstands sun, wind, and moisture without fading. Apply paint evenly, and make sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies if your door has any decorative molding or designs. Most paint colors will need two coats for an even appearance, but the darker the shade, the more coats you’ll need to avoid streaks and patchy areas.
Once the new paint job is fully dry, re-install the hardware and hinges, and hang up your newly-freshened door! With just a little elbow grease, your home will look more welcoming than ever.