My name is Tom Lopatosky. I’m the President of LOPCO Contracting (www.LopcoContracting.com) and I’m honored to have the opportunity to talk to you about home improvement on a monthly basis. I love answering your questions! Please send them to tom@LopcoContracting.com or call 401-270-2664. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this column!
If you have ever installed a new steel door, you may have noticed that the manufacturer tends to make it quite clear that the warranty on the door is only good if the door is properly painted within ‘X’ amount of time after being installed.
This is great, except for the fact that they do not teach how to paint the door, they simply demand that you do it, or else feel the wrath of having your new door investment not being warrantied.
Wonderful.
So, how exactly do you paint a new steel door?
Even though it is new, the door still needs some prep work before painting.
With the aim of keeping things easy peasy, here is a simple guide:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you start, make sure you have everything you need:
- Mild dish soap (I prefer ‘Dawn’) and water
- Sponge or cloth
- Sandpaper (220-grit)
- Painter’s tape
- Drop cloth, plastic, and/or newspaper
- Paintbrush, foam roller, or paint sprayer
- Rust-inhibiting primer (made for metal)
- Exterior paint (acrylic or latex-based)
- Razor blade (if the door has a window)
- Screwdriver (if removing the door)
Step 2: Remove or Protect Hardware
If possible, take the door off its hinges, using a screwdriver. Lay it flat on a drop cloth (or newspaper) to make painting easier. If you can’t remove it, use painter’s tape to cover the doorknob, hinges, and any windows, yet still make sure you have areas around it protected with a drop cloth, plastic, and/or newspaper. If painting a door with a glass window, you can use painter’s tape to keep paint off the glass.
Step 3: Clean the Door
Even though the door may be new, it could have oil or dirt on it from the factory. Wash it with warm, soapy water and a sponge to remove grease. Rinse it with clean water and let it dry completely before moving on.
Step 4: Lightly Sand the Surface
Most steel doors come with a factory-applied primer. To help paint stick better, lightly sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper. This roughens up the primer so the layer of primer you are about to apply can grip. Wipe off dust with a damp cloth, and let the door dry.
Step 5: Apply Primer
When in doubt, prime. Even if your door is already primed. Prime. Even if the factory primer looks smooth and clean. Prime. Let it dry completely before painting.
Step 6: Paint the Door
Now it’s time to paint! Use high-quality exterior paint that is ok to use on metal. A small brush is good for edges, while a foam roller or a sprayer (if you are experienced enough to use one) gives a smooth finish on large areas.
Apply the first coat in thin, even strokes. Let it dry completely before adding a second coat. Two coats are usually enough, but a third coat may be needed for full coverage. Always let each coat dry before applying the next.
Step 7: Let It Dry and Reinstall
Once the final coat is dry, remove any painter’s tape (if the door has glass and any paint gets on the glass, the paint can gently be taken off with a razor blade). If you removed the door, put it back on its hinges carefully. Let the paint cure fully before closing the door completely. This may take 24 to 48 hours.
Additional Tips for the Best Results
- Paint on a dry, mild day (between 50-85°F).
- Avoid painting in direct sunlight or windy conditions.
- Use long, even strokes to avoid drips and streaks.
Painting a brand new steel door is simple, when you follow the right steps. Cleaning, sanding, priming, and using quality paint will give you a beautiful, durable finish – not to mention, one that allows your door to now be warrantied!
About Tom Lopatosky
Tom Lopatosky has run his own RI-based painting and repair business since 1995; LOPCO Contracting – the “Personable, Particular Professionals” – specializes in exterior & interior painting and carpentry. Recently LOPCO Contracting was named ‘RI’s Finest Painting Contracting Company’ by ShopInRI Magazine. In 2013, Tom was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) and a “40 Under 40” award winner by Providence Business News. He is a member of both the PCA (Painting Contractors Association) and RIBA (Rhode Island Builders Association). Tom has often had weekly ‘Home Improvement Tips’ that have aired on the radio on 630 WPRO AM and on television on WPRI 12. You can catch Tom LIVE on the radio EVERY Saturday, 2pm-3pm, on 630 WPRO AM (99.7 FM) during his weekly PROTalk Home Improvement Radio Show! Tom has also written a book ‘The Care And Maintenance Of A New England Home’ (available on Amazon or through Barnes & Noble), detailing what he believes every New England Homeowner should be acutely aware of while owning a home in the region.
