Painting a metal entrance door with your own hands: what and how to paint, choice of paint

What determines the choice of paint?

How to prepare a door for painting

Painting a metal door step by step

Conclusion

Doors protect and decorate our homes, but their fate is not easy. They are regularly scratched, beaten and otherwise damaged. Unfortunately, this is almost impossible to avoid, since the entrance doors have to be opened and closed regularly, often by squeezing large, heavy objects through them, which can also severely damage the surface of the door leaf.

Apart from such serious damage as, for example, deep dents or scratches, the most common defect in the door leaf is deterioration of the paintwork.

Why do you need to paint doors?

The metal from which entrance doors are made is of excellent quality and copes well with high humidity or, say, sudden changes in temperature. However, without proper protection, steel gradually deteriorates, losing strength and attractiveness.

First of all, painting a metal entrance door allows you to renew the outer coating of the door leaf, returning it to its original appearance. However, this is not all. In addition, by painting your door, you can achieve the following results:

Protect metal from corrosion.
Hide minor defects.
Mask voids in the material.
Reduce the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Simply put, if a metal door is not painted, it will quickly become unusable and lose its presentability. In the most advanced cases, the canvas and hinges can completely rust, causing them to lose strength and no longer be able to reliably protect your home. That is why a metal door must be painted.

Necessary equipment

To facilitate the work and reduce time, all necessary equipment is prepared in advance. To paint metal entrance doors you will need:

personal protective equipment - gloves, a respirator or a mask are useful when removing the old coating and applying a new one, so as not to breathe fumes from the solutions;
sandpaper, metal brush, grinder attachments;
brushes, rollers, spray gun;
rags for removing the decorative layer;
tape, film;
paints and varnishes.

If the composition is used in the form of an aerosol from a can, rollers and brushes may not be useful at all. Sandpaper or other means for removing old coating are also not always necessary if the surface is already ready for painting.

Painting methods

Paint not only decorates the door, but also protects it from negative influences. In particular, for example, polymerized paints make it possible to protect the structure from moisture, which can be of great importance if standard steel without galvanized coating was used as the manufacturing material.

For some time now, manufacturers have been covering their products with so-called powder paint , which, among other things, effectively protects the canvas from mechanical damage. Thanks to powder coating, doors are successfully used as entrance doors, since they have an increased level of moisture resistance and are also able to withstand significant temperature changes.

pros

This type of painting is beneficial to the customer in many ways:

environmental friendliness (the dye does not contain flammable or toxic components);
savings (moderate dye consumption makes it possible to use the remaining powder in the next painting), in which the percentage of raw material loss is only 4%, while when coating with paintwork materials it is 40%;
To obtain a full protective layer, just one coating is enough;
there is no need to apply a primer layer before painting;
the drying process takes only 1.5 – 2 hours;
the painted surface can withstand temperature changes of –60°С… +150°С without losing its characteristics;
the surface does not react to alkaline and acidic solutions, organic solvents and does not fade under constant exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Thanksgiving letters

Thank you letter Gypsum metal

Dear Alexey Albertovich! PZSPP LLC, represented by its manager Dmitry Aleksandrovich Maksimov, expresses sincere gratitude to the entire team of Diline Color LLC for the fruitful cooperation in the provision of services for painting products with powder paints. Diline Color LLC has been our partner for many years, and during our joint cooperation, it has proven itself to be a true professional in its field and demonstrated its ability to meet the highest requirements set by our company. We are pleased with the work of Diline Color LLC and are ready to recommend this company as a responsible and reliable partner.

Entek thank you letter

Dear Alexey Albertovich,

Entek LLC thanks you and your team for the fruitful cooperation. We wish you further prosperity, effective work, inexhaustible energy in achieving your goals and creative inspiration in solving global problems, as well as healthy competition and excellent health to maintain your working tone! Let us be slaves to the development of our cooperation and mutual understanding.

Types of paints

The choice of coloring composition and painting method are of great importance, because... How long the door will maintain its integrity and attractiveness largely depends on them. That is why, before deciding how to paint a metal door, it is necessary to take into account factors such as installation location, humidity level and ambient temperature.

Nitroenamel

A simple and effective method of protecting metal from corrosion. The advantages of this paint are that it is easy to apply and dries quickly. At the same time, nitro enamel perfectly protects a metal door from corrosion, which allows the use of paint, including for the treatment of entrance doors.

One of the disadvantages of nitro enamel is its fragility, which is why the coating has to be renewed approximately every 2 years. It is also important to remember that this type of paint is extremely toxic, and therefore nitro enamel must be applied in a well-ventilated area.

Oil paint or PF

Due to the optimal price-quality ratio, oil formulations are the most popular. The main advantages include:

They have excellent adhesion to metal.
They do not fade for a long time.
Protect from ultraviolet radiation.
Resistant to mechanical damage.

The downside is that PF takes a long time to dry, which needs to be taken into account if you are going to paint a metal door at home. It is also necessary to pay attention to the quality of the paint itself, since oil compositions are often counterfeited.

Bitumen compounds

Paints made on the basis of bitumen are distinguished by excellent anti-corrosion resistance, however, they do not look very beautiful, which is why they are most often used when covering outbuildings. In addition, they are inexpensive, which in some cases is a decisive factor.

Acrylic water-based paint

Another inexpensive but effective way to protect a metal door from various negative factors. Acrylic paint is non-toxic, quickly applied, and dries almost instantly.

However, water-based compositions do not withstand moisture well and therefore are not recommended for painting structures that will be located outdoors. Acrylic paint is best for indoor painting.

Alkyd enamel

The paint got its name due to the fact that it contains so-called alkyd resins, thanks to which it dries quickly and does not lose its shine for a long time. In addition, alkyd paints do not lose their properties when interacting with moisture and therefore can be used to coat metal doors located outdoors.

Painting entrance doors

Powder coating of metal doors is the process of spraying microscopic particles of dry paint with a positive electrical charge onto the surface of the product. A painted surface with a negative charge attracts paint particles, after which the surface is heated in a special chamber, the applied powder melts, forms a reliable uniform coating, penetrating the metal structure and forming a reliable protective film on the outside. A hard layer of paint protects and preserves the door from corrosion, rust, and the influence of natural factors, and also provides ample opportunities to implement design solutions, giving a texture and color that best fits into the surrounding interior.

What determines the choice of paint?

Each of the listed paints has both pros and cons, and therefore the choice should be based on how the front door will be used. In particular, if, for example, paint will be applied to an old layer, it is not recommended to choose nitro enamel or water-based emulsion, which do not adhere well to an unprepared surface.

The easiest way is to paint from an aerosol can. By spraying, the paint is applied in an even layer to the surface, leaving no streaks or unpainted areas.

Of course, the aesthetic side of the issue is also of great importance. However, given the huge range of paints, you definitely won’t have any problems choosing the right shade. The main thing is that the color of the door matches at least a little with the color scheme in which the house is painted.

Tips and tricks

Before starting work, you should consider:

iron surfaces should be painted in 2 - 3 layers, this solves the problem of color saturation;
if you use cans or a spray gun, the process should start from top to bottom, so there will be practically no smudges;
The final coating of the door in the form of varnish is of considerable importance;
decorative elements in the form of handles, eyes and other equipment are installed only after the product has completely dried;
If you use a spray can for painting, you need to shake it well before use, 30-60 seconds is enough.
When painting a house, ensure good ventilation of the room.

The process itself is not complicated, the main thing is to pay attention to the preparatory work.

How to prepare a door for painting

Painting is not a very difficult task and each of us can handle it with ease. The main thing is to properly prepare the canvas, choose the right paint, and then paint the front door correctly.

In order for the paint to adhere firmly to the metal, it must be thoroughly cleaned with sandpaper, removing any remaining rust and old coating. Then the surface must be degreased and coated with a primer. Do not forget to remove the lock and other fittings before doing this, otherwise paint may get on it. When everything is ready, you can apply paint.

Required tools and materials

The correct selection of tools will allow you to complete the finishing quickly and efficiently. To work you will need:

an aerosol can with the selected paint, a spray gun or a roller;
a wire brush or sandpaper to prepare the surface;
putty to remove scratches and dents;
primer composition to improve the adhesion of the finishing material to the door leaf;
masking tape, plastic film;
acrylic varnish for finishing coat.

The work is carried out in protective clothing, rubber gloves and a mask.

Painting a metal door step by step

First of all, you need to decide how exactly you prefer to apply paint. This can be done with a regular brush, with a spray gun, or using a special aerosol can. Note that the spraying effect allows you to achieve a more even layer of paint and, in addition, is more economical.

On the other hand, a sprayer coats the metal with a thinner layer compared to painting with a brush. Therefore, when working with a spray gun, you will have to cover the door with three layers of paint, while when using a brush, only two are enough.

Do-it-yourself door painting is done as follows:

Install the door in a dry room.
If it is not possible to remove the canvas and box, protect the adjacent walls with mounting tape.
Apply a coat of paint and let it dry.
When the paint is completely dry, apply a second coat.
Once painting is complete, reinstall the door.

If you paint with a brush, change the direction of the strokes after the first layer has dried. When using a spray can, shake it to mix the paint. Using a spray gun, it is best to start painting from the top of the door, gradually moving down to its bottom.

To protect the paint from abrasion, it is recommended to apply an additional layer of special varnish, which will extend the life of the coating.

Coloring rules

High-quality painting is characterized by a smooth surface, without drips and streaks. And to do this, you need to figure out how to paint a metal entrance door correctly.

When painting, the brush should move from top to bottom - this is the first rule. The tool for painting a door can be a roller and a spray gun, depending on the type of paint and the size of the product.

Start the process from the top. The panel is covered, the horizontal parts are covered, and then the vertical surface. Make sure that the paint does not get on the other side of the door, and try not to brush over wet paint again.

Rule two - paint the surface of a metal door without breaks, transitions or omissions. The layer should be relatively thick and uniform.

It is worth noting! The paint is applied in several layers, and the overall tone of the entire surface should be maintained so that there are no light spots. The hinges also need to be painted, having previously treated them with sandpaper.

If you get drips during painting, wait until the enamel layer is completely dry and sand them with sandpaper. To make the surface look more beautiful, moisten the resulting drip with water. Then completely repaint the entire side of the metal piece.

Apply the second layer at intervals of half an hour so that the previous one has time to dry. It takes about 6 hours for the product to dry completely.

Each building material has its own types of paints that are suitable for painting it. After reading the article at the link, you will learn how to paint a concrete floor. When painting, in almost all cases the surface must be primed, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules for choosing a primer, as well as how to apply it.

Rule three. If possible, paint the door after removing it from its hinges. The time and effort spent will give the highest quality results when painting horizontally. And in order not to stain the surface of the desktop, place an oilcloth under the door.

The fourth rule is do not paint outside in the rain or at sub-zero temperatures.

It is worth noting! If the door is being painted into a room, make sure it is well ventilated. It is advisable that it is not dusty and free of insects, otherwise they will land on the painted surface and create additional difficulties.

That's the whole technology for painting a metal door with your own hands. Very simple and fast. In this way you can paint metal garage doors, doors in a country house, apartment or industrial premises. The main thing is to make sure that the surface is smooth and paint carefully. It doesn’t matter what color the front door is painted, it will last a long time and will decorate any room.

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How to choose an interesting shade yourself?

You should choose a color based on your own preferences and wishes, design, so that the door subsequently harmonizes with the rest of the color scheme of the interior

In a wooden house, a wooden door in a natural color scheme also looks impressive. It is treated with oil impregnation, emphasizing the texture.
The white luxury bedroom set is complemented by a white interior door. Gold panels are added as a decorative element.
For antique or antique furniture, a wooden door in a natural color scheme, which has been aged artificially, will be a complement.

It is better to choose water-based paint. In this case, they are also safe for pets.

It is worth taking a closer look at proven and reliable manufacturers. Among them are MASTER LUX AQUA or Tukkurilla. The Wood Dye paint finish is worth a special mention. It is created specifically for wooden door surfaces. A distinctive feature is the choice of tone from eleven options. At the same time, they are mixed together to obtain a luxurious option in natural wood tones.

If you follow these recommendations, choosing the preferred paint for painting interior doors will not be difficult. At the same time, the coloring itself does not cause difficulties. Therefore, you can do all the work yourself, saving a significant amount of money.

Additions to the painted surface also look interesting. For example, craquelure is artificial aging. This will transform the door surface and make it a noticeable decorative element in the interior. Decoupage looks interesting. And vinyl stickers are the simplest option for decorating a door.

It is worth giving preference to shades of natural wood color. This will make the interior harmonious and cozy. If you choose a modern design style that requires bright and flashy shades, you can opt for bright colors.

Basic rules of care

Caring for products with polymer powder coating is easy and simple. The main thing is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations:

In case of dust or contamination, wipe the door leaf and door frame with a soft cloth, after moistening it in warm water (you can make a soap solution).
When the room temperature is below +5 °C, use only dry rags - do not use water. But even at higher temperatures it is not necessary to use a lot of water for processing.
To remove dirt, do not use abrasives, knives, metal scrapers, solvents, or liquids containing alcohol.
Carefully bring in and take out large items (pieces of furniture, household appliances) from the premises so as not to damage the coating. As already emphasized above, for example, silk metal doors are especially sensitive to mechanical damage.