Is it time again to freshen up your home with some new paint? If so, why not start by painting your metal exterior front door? After all, it’s the first thing your visitors see before entering your home.
Whether touching up or repainting your metal exterior door, most professional exterior painting companies will tell you that your success depends on your prep and materials. One product we recommend is Benjamin Moore’s Grand Entrance paint. It is easy to work with and self-leveling, which almost guarantees a successful paint job.
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What paint should be used on a metal exterior door?
There are so many options you can choose from when it comes to painting.
It can be a little scary sometimes with all the different brands and manufacturers.
Let me share some of the best products I’ve used throughout the years.
These are all easy to work with and forgiving.
This means that even if you are a novice painter or a do-it-yourselfer, you will most likely achieve the results that you’re looking for.
The first thing you need to understand about the paint is that you get what you pay for.
So, if you are trying to get great results and have it look like a professional did it, you will have to be willing to spend a little more.
I assume you will not use a professional sprayer to paint your metal exterior door.
My personal favorite is Benjamin Moore’s Grand Entrance.
It is easy to work with and self-leveling.
In addition, it has great coverage and great hide.
Great hide means that it covers up the previous colors very well.
A little bit goes a long way.
A quart of paint is usually enough for an entire door.
The only downside to this paint is that it requires a recoat in 14 to 24 hours, depending on the environment.
It will take up to 24 hours to dry and recoat if it’s humid outside.
My second favorite would be Benjamin Moore’s exterior Aura paint
This paint is also easy to work with and has excellent coverage.
It almost hides as well as the grand entrance and costs a little bit less in comparison.
What I like about this paint is that, depending on the environment, it can be recoat within 2 to 4 hours.
A little bit goes a long way, and a court will usually last you for an entire door.
Remember that you must take extra steps if you make a drastic color change.
So, if you have a green door and would like to paint it r e, I suggest priming it first.
You don’t necessarily have to prime it for adhesion purposes, but whenever you make extra coats w, you might need to apply color changes.
Usually, two coats are enough, but it might take three to four in those cases.
Where can I find Benjamin Moore products to paint a metal exterior door?
Depending on your location, you might not have a Benjamin Moore retailer near you.
But if you have a local hardware store such as Ace Hardware, for example, they will probably carry Benjamin Moore products.
I suggest you Google “Benjamin Moore Products” near me or “Benjamin Moore Paint near me.”
You could also head over to their website at Benjamin Moore and order from them directly.
You can match any color pretty much, even if it’s by a different manufacturer.
Do I paint a metal exterior door with a brush or a roller?
The answer is both. You should use a brush to cut in and a roller to paint the metal exterior doors.
I prefer using a 2.5-inch angled sash brush to cut around the edges.
Then,, to paint the door,, I prefer using a 3/8-inch microfiber roller nap, which is usually about 4 inches Long.
I’m used to working with 3/8-inch microfiber n, ap, but if you want a finish similar to a spray, you might be better off using a mohair roller.
You can get those in any paint store or your retail hardware store.
Another thing you want to do is de-lint your roller before using it.
Use your masking tape and run a few passes over it with your roller.
This will remove all loose hairs and lint so that it won’t end up in your finish.
How do you paint a front door without removing it?
You don’t necessarily have to remove your metal exterior door to paint it.
The first thing you want to do is clean your service and make sure it’s free of debris and dirt. You can usee soapy water and a sponge for this. Regular dish soap works great.
Just take a little extra time to tape anything you don’t want the paint to get on. You can use 3M painter’s tape for this.
You can use a Carpenter’s knife or any sharp blade away from any access tape for the hinges.
Be aware that anytime you get paid for your tape, you might have to use a blade to separate it from your paint before removing it.
A little paint will get on the tape; if you’re not careful, you may lift the paint while removing it.
How to fix paint runs on a metal exterior door?
If you are not careful, sometimes you will get runs on your metal exterior door when painting it.
Usually, this happens right in the corners underneath a window for any crevice the door might have because of a decorative design.
Paint accumulates in a crease and will start to run. If you see this happening, don’t panic.
- Let it run,n, and as it dries, use a damp rag and gently dab on it.
- You cannot fix it perfectly at first, but the smaller the run, the less you will have to sand it later.
- Let the paint dry completely, and then use some 220-grit sandpaper.
- Dip your sandpaper in some water and gently sand over your run.
- Sand until it’s even with the rest of the surface.
In most cases, a touch-up will do, but I suggest painting the entire door if it’s section prepainting the whole section.
I know it sucks, but that’s why it is essential to pay attention when applying your paint, especially in any Corners ant underneath hinges, etcetera.
Related article: What Exterior Paint Lasts The Longest?
