If you are going to paint a plain, flat door, use a foam roller to roll on the paint and use an angled brush to paint the sides. You want to make sure you leave no roller lap marks. To remove any lap marks, roll a lightly-loaded roller over the wet coat of paint to smooth.
“Painting a front door is best done with a brush. This is because most front doors have wood and/or glass panels and a roller would not be able to paint in the panels the same way that a brush would to give full coverage.”
Large brushes (3-inch to 4-inch) will hold more paint and cover a larger surface area, which helps you to finish your project faster. These brushes are ideal for exterior siding, decks, doors, or walls.
What Is the Best Way to Paint an Interior Door? The best way to paint your door is by using both a paintbrush and a foam roller. You should begin by brushing a light coat of paint on the door. Because the brush can leave drips or runs, it is best to do this first, before the rest of the door is painted.
Will a second coat of paint cover roller marks? Some painters will wait until the paint fully dries before fixing roller marks. The second (or third) coat of paint on the “oops” areas will even out marks and leave you with a flat, even finish.
Roller marks are caused by the paint roller leaving behind streaks of paint on the wall. This can be due to several factors, such as using the wrong type of roller for the surface you're painting, using too much paint or rolling in one direction instead of back and forth.
They don't usually go away. You'll need another coat of paint and be sure to use even pressure and feather in those roller marks.
Lay the door flat to avoid drips and runs
For convenience, it's tempting to leave a door hanging on its hinges when you paint. But for a smooth finish, you have to lay it flat and remove the hinges, knobs and other hardware.
Typically, two coats should suffice but you may prefer to use more. Drying times vary depending on a range of factors, including: the quality and type of paint or varnish you use; the environment you are painting in and the surface you are painting.
You also need to know what type of paint is already on your door. If it's latex, you can paint right over it. If it's oil-based, or if the door is brand new and unpainted, you'll need to do a coat of primer first so the paint has something to stick to.
A 4” - 6” wide, flat sash paintbrush for wide-open flat surfaces like long, uninterrupted walls and garage doors. They hold more paint, cover more surface area, and cut a wider line. A 3”- 4” wide, flat sash paintbrush for large flat surfaces like walls, doors, and bookshelves.
If the existing paintwork is in good condition, there is no need to prime or undercoat the door. However, if the existing colour is darker than the new top coat, an undercoat will help to cover this up. If the door has been stripped back to bare timber, primer and undercoat should definitely be applied.
Before you start a paint job, you actually want to wet the paint roller cover with water. “This primes the roller cover to soak up as much paint as possible,” Barr explains. But don't go too crazy—Barr suggests removing excess moisture with a paper towel and a good shake of the roller so it's just slightly damp.
Many painters “break in” a roller cover by priming it with water or thinner. In our lab we never prewet a cover before painting. If you choose to, you must spin it out with five or six strong pumps so it is only lightly damp. Then take even more moisture out by blotting the cover with a paper towel.
These paint streaks are called raised edge roller marks, and they're caused by paint that's been applied too thickly or unevenly. The cause: This typically happens when the roller is full of paint and is pressed too firmly against the wall.
Use more paint than you think you need
So, make sure you're getting enough paint onto the roller, but in the same breath don't overload it. You want to ensure that it is covered but that it isn't dripping when you start using it.
They are often caused by a painter putting a second coat of paint on the wall before the first coat has completely dried. Using these techniques will allow you to fix stippling paint or to repair roller marks on a painted wall: Make sure the paint is completely dry.
Patchiness usually happens if you don't use enough paint, or apply it unevenly. Using a touch more paint, and painting in small sections one at a time, usually does the trick. Also, rolling in a grid fashion will get you an even finish too. But, sometimes, changes in the gloss level leave things patchy.
A front door could be painted in a satin or gloss finish – exterior paints are sold in both these finishes as well as flatter options. Gloss has more luster than satin paint and is generally more durable, and easier to clean, but satin can still be a great choice for a front door if you prefer less sheen.
While you can choose any finish, glossy paints are typically preferred for doors and trim, because they stand out and highlight these architectural features. They also tend to stand up to nicks and scrapes better than flat or eggshell paint, meaning they could last longer.