Painting A Steel Door Frame

Metal door frames are typically made out of steel and must be painted to protect them from weather related corrosion.

Painting a steel door frame.

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. After lots of trial and error using many combinations of primers and paint over the years i have come up with a successful formula. Steel door frames are strong and durable alternatives to wooden door frames. 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.

Applying paint over rust will cause the paint to bubble and peel. Wash the door with a sponge and a mixture of water and a low suds detergent such as spic and span. That old wrought iron fence or steel gutter may look terrible but with the right preparation and primer most rusty metal surfaces can be restored to almost new. Then apply 2 coats of the primer letting it dry after each coat.

Video of the day. 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. Rinse the surface then dry thoroughly. Thoroughly clean the door with a degreaser.

You have three methods of application to choose from brushing rolling or spraying. The metal heats up like an oven and over time bakes the paint right off the door. If possible paint the door frame before installation to reduce the amount of masking required to protect surrounding surfaces. I tested it out on my exterior metal side door last summer which gets the same amount of sun all year long.

Sudsy detergents will leave the surface too slippery. How to paint a metal door remove the door if possible and cover any parts of the door you do not wish to paint. The first step is to clean off loose rust and flaking paint and then apply a rust inhibitive primer. 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.

However steel door frames are susceptible to damage including dents and rust. Brushing steel doors probably the most popular way to paint a steel door requiring the least investment of tools. Touch up any marks or scratched caused during installation. If painting light to moderately used indoor metal surfaces think wall sconces bed frames or guest room night tables go with water based acrylic paint a cheaper 15 to 40 per gallon.

It has not cracked.