How To Paint A Metal Door Without Brush Marks – Perfect Your DIY Skills

Many people have the false notion that painting a metal door is like painting an ordinary door. Hence, they paint the door as normal until they find out brush marks on the door. The worst part is that it looks unattractive and uninviting.

Because most homeowners will hate looking at it, they will spend more money and effort to correct it. Keep in mind that a metal door should look smooth and sleek. Therefore, having brush marks on them will defeat their purpose.

So, how to paint a metal door without brush marks?

Read on to find out more about it.

How do you paint a metal door without brush marks?

The best way to make sure that there are no brush marks on the metal door is to hire a professional painter. However, since you are reading this post, you want to learn how to do that the right way. Below listed are the steps that will help you with what you want.

Step-1. Detach the door

Look for hinges that connect to the metal door. Use a screwdriver and hammer to loosen the hinge pin. Do the same to remove other hinges. Most of them will have two or three pins. Pull the door so that it detaches itself from the frame.

You may need someone to assist you. Put it down on a flat surface steadily. Make sure to put down the door securely. Also, make sure that you remove any hardware attached to the door.

Remove everything that you may not want the new color to get on. For example, you may want the door knocker to have a shiny color. You can use a screwdriver to remove the knob effectively.

Step-2. Prepare the surface well

The surface has to be free from dirt or grime. So, you have to clean the surface with a detergent cleaner. Any dirt will make it hard for the paint to settle on the surface properly.

You can use a spray cleaner for this purpose. Make the door clean by following the steps mentioned in the user manual. After that, use a clean cloth to dry the surface. Tape the parts of the door that you do not want to paint.

Next, you have to use a sandpaper of 400 grit to sand the whole door. The purpose is to roughen the surface so that primer and paint can stick with ease. Because there will be a lot of dust, wipe them up with a clean cloth.

Step-3. Use primer

As you know, paint won’t stick to metal by itself. So, you need to use the right primer for this purpose. Primer is like tape with adhesive on both sides. The paint will stick to the primer, and the metal door will stick to it.

Double-check that the primer you are using works with metal. If you are not sure, ask the store for recommendations. Use a small roller to coat the metal door. Allow it to sit for one to three hours, depending on the weather and primer used.

Once dry, apply a second coat of primer. When you are done working with two coats on one side, proceed with the other side. Because you will paint both sides of the metal door, use the primer on each side at a time.

Step-4. Apply the paint

If you don’t want the brush marks, avoid using a paintbrush. You can use a professional sprayer instead. It is used by experts to ensure uniformity on the door. Additionally, you can use a foam roller as well.

A small roller with 3 inches width is perfect for your project. However, when you are using a roller, make sure that it comes with a roller cover. If you don’t use one, you may have a poor texture on the door’s surface.

However, you may still need to use a brush for certain areas that are hard to reach. You have to wait for six to eighteen hours before applying the second coat.

What is the best way to paint a metal door?

You can use a roller, brush, or spray to paint metal doors. However, it depends on your preference and what you choose to work with. The most common option is to use a paintbrush because it helps you achieve better results.

They do a good job when it comes to painting panels and cutting in your doors. A paintbrush gives you much control while helping you get better coverage. Rollers with small sizes can help you achieve a beautiful finish on metal doors.

The results are amazing if the surface has no panels and is flat. When it comes to speeding up the process, sprayers come in handy. They leave an excellent finish on metal doors. But they are expensive and could be messy if you are not careful.

Read More: Different types of painting solutions for aesthetic looks.

Which one you should use?

There are three different options to paint, and you need to choose only one option. So, which one should you use and why? Again, it’s about personal preferences and which one to use on your metal door.

1. Paintbrush

You can choose a paintbrush if –

• You want to use a few tools to paint the door
• You’re looking for a perfect coverage
• You have a lot of time to complete the project

2. Roller

You can choose a roller if –

• You’re working on a door with a flat surface
• You want the right balance of speed and quality
• You are thinking about working with brush as well

3. Spray

You can choose a spray if –

• You have adequate money to buy a sprayer
• Your top priority is to paint quickly
• You care less about making a mess