Introduction:

Painting a room is easy enough until it comes time to paint the doors. Doors are tough to paint because to do it correctly the door should be removed from the hinges and all the hardware removed. You can paint a door without removing it from the hinges but it’s more difficult. The hardware has to be tapped off and the paint trends to run toward the bottom of the door. This is especially difficult if the door is a paneled door. If you do paint the door installed, be sure to use a drop cloth to prevent paint from getting on the floor.

Painting tips for how to paint interior doors:

1.    To take off the door simply slip out the hinge pins. This is easier if the door is in the closed position. Lay the door on two sawhorses or position against a wall with blocks under the bottom edge and between the top edge and the wall.

2.    Remove all hardware from the door.  

3.    Whether painting a door on or off its hinges the process is the same. Paint from the top to bottom of the door concentrating on any recessed panels first. If it is not a paneled door you can use a lint free roller. Roll the paint in the direction of the panel grain.  

4.    For the door edges match the color of the latch edge to the room the door opens into and the color of the hinge edge to the room the door opens away from. It is much easier to paint the whole door white and then you don’t have to be concerned about different colors for the edges. When the door is completely dry on one side turn it over and paint the other side.

5.    When painting the door trim begin with the header (the top) casing and then work down the side casings. The door trim should be the same color as the trim in the rest of the room.

6.    When the door is completely dry, install the hardware and install the door.

That is how to paint interior doors.

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