The Dos and Don'ts of Painting a Front Door

DO prop open the door as you paint

This will allow you to paint around the hinges and get hard-to-reach spots along the top and sides. 

DON’T close the door until it’s completely dry

That means at least four to five hours before you can shut it again. If you know you’ll get a late start and you’re worried the paint will still be wet at nightfall, remove the door and paint it horizontally, on a pair of sawhorses, in your garage or basement. Make sure you have a backup door in reserve that you can hang until morning. 

DON’T skip primer

Exposed to weather 24/7, the paint on a front door takes a beating. Help it adhere with an acrylic or latex exterior primer, which also fills in tiny cracks. 

DO use a top-quality paintbrush for the smoothest finish

Rollers speed up the job but leave behind a stippled texture—which you won’t want to see when you enter your house every day.