Painting a Door

REAL VIDEO When painted correctly, your front door can make a great first impression. Click the image above for more details.

Painting a panel door isn't hard, but there is a right way to do it. First you'll need to purchase a special door roller brush, available at your local home improvement center. You'll also need a standard paintbrush to touch up around the edges. Once you have your paint and supplies, you're ready to start.

1. First, protect the hardware on the door with painter's tape, and paint around the handle, lock and door knocker.
2. Next, paint the decorative edges of the panels using the roller.
3. Paint the middle of the panels, then move on to the inside vertical stiles. Stiles are the flat sections between the panels.
4. The horizontal stiles are next, then the edges of the door.
5. Finish by painting the outside vertical stiles.

Since your front door is the first thing visitors see, make sure that first impression is a good one.