Also latex enamel doesn t truly cure for a week or more and when door is closed it may stick to the weather stripping around the door frame and pull the paint off around the door edges.
Painting a steel door with latex paint.
Before you apply the primer and paint lightly sand the door with 400 grit sandpaper so the primer and paint will stick to it better.
When painting edges some paint inevitably slops onto the faces of the door.
However you will have to use an oil based exterior primer before you paint.
Some people use acrylic latex paint which is not designed specifically for galvanized metal so you will want to prime the surface before painting.
Applying the paint is the most satisfying part of painting a steel door plan on a minimum of one coat of primer and two coats of finish.
A heavy coat of paint covers better and sometimes levels out better but runs are more likely and brush marks are deeper.
A steel door needs extra special care when it s painted because the wet paint can easily be manipulated by the tool that s applying it.
Painting metal doors with latex.
It s better to have that happen before the faces are painted.
Do not use alkyd based paints or oil based primer.
I have found that applying blue painters tape onto the weatherstrip and leave it on a few weeks avoids that.
Then apply 2 coats of the primer letting it dry after each coat.
This is an easy to use water based paint that doesn t require extra skill or.
You have three methods of application to choose from brushing rolling or spraying.
Since you mentioned that you are in direct sun most of the day i would highly recommend using a paint that is fade resistant.
If painting your door with oil based paint doesn t sound appealing to you you can use an exterior latex based paint.
Subscribe to this old house.
The most commonly used and available type of paint for metal doors is latex.
When it s on slick steel paint doesn t absorb into the material and laydown and you re going to have a rough looking texture in your paint finish.
Paints that are made for galvanized surfaces will require less prep work and will adhere better than other kinds of paint.
Paint all four edges of the door first.
Paint a metal door metal doors offer great benefits in security and weather resistance but to keep their surfaces welcoming and rust free you have to keep up with the painting.
Brush on a light coat.
To paint a steel door you ll need exterior paint and an oil based primer designed specifically for metal.