Metal doors are commonly used in commercial and industrial buildings such as office buildings, warehouses and factories, as well as public buildings like schools and government buildings.
They’re used for their durability, resistance to fire, and security and aren’t as common in residential homes as wooden doors. Although, in modern homes, exterior metal doors and window sections are becoming more popular.
With time steel doors will wear down, corrode or lose their luster from wear and tear and exposure to the elements. Painting them will extend the life of a steel door and give it new life.
This article will teach you how to best paint a metal door and also what paint to choose and some recommended products.
Table of Contents
What Is The Best Way to Paint a Metal Door?
The best way to paint a metal door is to paint it in place with a brush and roller.
Some “experts” will tell you to remove the door from its hinges and lay it flat before painting. But as you can imagine a metal door is heavy. Only remove the door if it’s absolutely necessary.
As a professional painter, I have never during my 25+ years removed a door to paint it, I have only removed them if they’ve been in the way since it’s easier and more efficient to paint them in place.
What is the Best Type of Paint for Metal Doors?
There are several types of paints available for use on metal doors such as oil-based enamels, latex enamels and 2K paints. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into consideration when selecting the best paint for your project.
Some advantages of water-based based paint are:
- Lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, making them more environmentally friendly and less hazardous to use
- Dries quickly
- Easy to clean up with just water
- Generally less smelly than oil-based paints
- Flexible which makes it more resistant to cracking and flaking when exposed to outdoor weather conditions
Some advantages of oil-based paint are:
- Longer working time, giving more time to work with the paint
- Dries to a harder, more durable finish
- Often more resistant to chipping
- Often provides a glossy finish
2K paint, also known as two-component paint, is a type of paint that uses a separate hardener or activator in addition to the paint itself. 2K paints have what is called a pot-life which is the amount of time during which the paint can be used once the hardener is added.
Some advantages of 2K paint include:
- Chemical resistant
- Extremely strong and long-lasting finish
- Fast curing
- Flexible
- High solid content
My recommendation for homeowners is to paint 1-2 coats with a rust-inhibitive, either water or oil-based primer, for the rusty parts and 2 coats with a water-based enamel latex paint for the top coat with a semi-gloss finish.
Primer
If the door is in good condition and doesn’t have any rust then you might not even need to prime it. But if the paint is peeling and has rusted patches then it’s best to use a rust-inhibiting metal primer before you apply the topcoat.
You’ll also need to prime a door that has been painted in a high gloss finish so the new paint will adhere properly, alternatively sand it down or degloss it.
Top coat
The best top coat paint for industrial metal doors is a 2K paint since it provides superior protection from the elements and wear and tear. 2K paints are a great choice for metal doors that need that extra protection.
But for homeowners, water-based latex enamel paint is probably the best option since it’s easier to apply and clean up, and it also dries faster than oil-based enamels. Plus, water-based paints don’t yellow or fade over time as oil-based paints do.
Recommended Products
Here are some products I would recommend for painting metal doors:
Cleaners/Deglossers
Dirtex or TSP
Klean-Strip Easy Liquid Sander Deglosser
Ammonia
Krud Kutter Gloss-Off
Primer
POR-15 Rust Preventive
Rust-Oleum Metal Primer
Benjamin Moore Corotech metal primer
BEHR Metal Primer
Top coat
Benjamin Moore Corotech Command
PPG Break-Through
PPG Pitt-Tech
Sherwin Williams Pro Industrial
What You’ll Need to Paint a Metal Door
Before you start gather the following materials:
- Degreaser or trisodium phosphate (TSP)
- Rag/sponge and a bucket with water
- Fine-grit sandpaper (120-220)
- Rust-inhibitive metal primer
- High-quality top-coat paint
- 2″-2.5″ High-quality synthetic paintbrush
- Paint roller with 4″ micro-fiber roller cover with a 1/4″ or 3/16″ nap
- Paint sprayer (optional)
- Drop cloth or floor protection paper
- Painter’s tape
- Scraper and wire brush (if there is rust or peeling paint on the door)
- Paint tray
A paint sprayer will give the best finish but it’s more of a hassle and it’s messier than using a paintbrush and roller so it won’t be the “best” way to paint a door.
You could also choose to paint the door with a spray can instead of using a paint sprayer. This method is very practical since you don’t have any tools or equipment that needs cleaning and will give a perfect finish but you’ll need to use several cans and that can get quite expensive.
For this method, you’ll also need to wear a respirator with the proper filter so you don’t inhale the fumes or paint.
Although, if you’re painting outside make sure that cars or other objects aren’t too near since they might get paint on them.
Prepare Your Metal Door for Painting
Depending on in what condition the door is in you’ll need to prepare the surface before painting it.
If your door hasn’t been painted since the 1980s there is a chance that it contains lead. Be sure to use a lead test kit to determine the presence of lead before beginning any project and follow safety guidelines.
Scrape the Door
If the door has any peeling paint then use a scraper or a tool such as a putty knife to remove it.
Clean the Door
Once you’ve scraped off all the peeling paint, use a degreaser or TSP (trisodium phosphate) to clean the door of all dirt and grime.
If it has been painted with an oil-based alkyd paint before it probably has a white powdery residue on the surface, which will prevent any new paint from adhering properly.
Clean the door until it’s gone, you can check this by dragging your fingers across the surface. If you get a white residue on your fingers then you need to clean the surface some more.
Sand the Door
When the door has dried completely then use a wire brush over the rusty parts if it has any and then sand both the rusted parts and the whole door.
By sanding the whole surface of the door it ensures that the paint will adhere better and it removes irregularities from the previous coat of paint which will result in a smooth and nice finish.
Degloss the door if it has a highly glossy finish. If you paint a very glossy surface that hasn’t been sanded well or deglossed the paint will not adhere properly and will “float apart”.
Apply the primer
Before you start to prime the door cover the floor with a material of your choice (drop cloth, newspaper, floor protection paper, etc.) and mask the parts of the door you don’t want to be painted with painter’s tape (such as the handle).
Prime the rusty parts of the door 1-2 times. The primer dries fast so you can apply the second coat and/or the top coat on the same day. Read the instructions on the can for more detailed information.
Paint Your Metal Door
Before you start painting with the top coat paint sand the door lightly with a fine sandpaper to remove any specks that might have formed when you primed the door.
Start by painting the edges of the door with the paintbrush and then move on to the rest of the door with your roller.
Apply two coats of top coat paint, make sure to let each coat dry completely before applying the next one.
Remove the painter’s tape when the paint has dried since there is a risk that you will touch the wet paint when doing so.
FAQS About Painting Metal Doors
Here are some common questions and answers about painting metal doors.
Do I need to prime a metal door before painting?
If the door has been painted before and it hasn’t rusted then you can paint the door without priming. But it’s recommended to sand it down or degloss it before if it has a glossy finish.
Can I paint a metal door without removing it from the hinges?
Absolutely. This is the most common and easiest way to paint a metal door. It eliminates the need to remove the door, which can be heavy and difficult to handle, and also eliminates the need to reinstall the door after painting.
What is deglossing?
Deglossing is the process of removing the glossy or shiny surface of a material, such as paint, by using a chemical solution.
The purpose of deglossing is to create a surface that is more matte/porous, allowing the paint to adhere better.
Do you have to sand a metal door before painting?
It is not necessary to sand a metal door before painting, but it will improve the adhesion of the paint, and provide a smooth surface for a professional-looking finish.
If the door has been previously painted and has a glossy or shiny finish, it’s recommended to degloss it by lightly sanding the surface with a fine-grit sandpaper.
Sanding the rusted parts is always recommended as well as using a wire brush.
How long should I wait between coats of paint on a metal door?
The length of time you should wait between coats of paint on a metal door will depend on the type of paint and the environmental conditions.
Most oil-based paints and alkyd paints should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours between coats, while water-based paints typically dry to the touch in about 1-2 hours and can be recoated in about 4 hours.
However, it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s instructions on the paint can for the specific drying and recoating times.
It’s also important to consider the humidity and temperature when painting a metal door. High humidity and low temperatures can slow down the drying process, so you may need to wait longer between coats.
A metal door is usually colder compared to a wooden door and also hotter if it is exposed to the sun.
Conversely, low humidity and high temperatures can speed up the drying process, so you may be able to recoat sooner.
In any case, it’s best to wait until the first coat is dry to the touch before applying a second coat. If the paint is still tacky to the touch, it’s not dry yet.
Should I use a foam roller to paint a metal door?
You can use a foam roller to paint a metal door, but it may not be the best option. A foam roller can leave small bubbles in the paint surface, which can be difficult to remove.
It is also not as fast and effective as a regular roller cover. A foam roller applies a very thin coat and when painting an exterior door it might dry too fast which results in a bad finish. It is generally better to use a regular paint roller cover with a 1/4″ or 3/16″ nap for an even and smooth finish.
Related Videos
How to paint a metal door with a roller and brush:
How to paint a metal door with spray cans:
How to paint a metal door with a paint sprayer:
Conclusion
Spray painting is faster if you have many doors to paint, especially if they have intricate details. But if you only have one or a few doors to paint then rolling and brushing the doors are easier and faster since you don’t have to mask the surroundings(except for the floor) and clean the equipment.
Following the steps above will help you achieve a professional-looking finish while spending minimal effort.