Panel Discussion – Paint a Panel Door

Raised panel doors add style and elegance to a room. Most of today’s raised panel doors add classic flair and create a memorable first impression in any room of your home. A fresh coat of paint can easily bring a scuffed and shabby door back to life. You can easily do-it-yourself.

Here are a few things to consider before you begin:

The flat parts of a door are easy to sand, but the molded portions require a bit more care and effort.
Paint applied over the joints between the panel and frame can form a film that cracks.
The door will absorb moisture from the air and may warp if it's not sealed on its top and bottom edges.

Don't know how to address those common problems? We do. So if the only thing that's standing between you and a great-looking room is a raised panel door in need of painting, we're here to help. Visit your local True Value store for all the top-quality materials and expert advice you're looking for, then follow these steps to paint a raised panel door:

Step 1: Time to Come Clean
Did you ever go through the trouble of painting a surface, only to find that the paint failed to adhere? We hope not. But if it's happened to you, you'll be glad to know that dirt and grease were to blame - not your painting technique. So before you begin any new painting job, it's always a good idea to give the surface a thorough cleaning. To clean your raised panel door, use a mild solution of detergent and water, and scrub from the top down. Wipe it dry immediately. If stubborn stains remain - crayon is a common offender - use a stronger grease-cutting product to remove all traces.

Helpful Tips:

Before you begin, put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from splinters, chemicals and paint.
Will you be removing the door from its hinges or painting it right where it is? Now's the time to decide. Both ways are fine - the best method is whichever you think is easier.
If you're not planning to remove the door, prop it open securely and warn everyone in the vicinity to be careful - you don't want to be unpleasantly surprised by having someone open it while you're working.
Remove all of the door hardware or cover it securely with painter's tape.
Use a plastic drop cloth to protect your floors and minimize cleanup.

Safety Alert!

Keep all of your materials and equipment away from children and pets. Make sure you have adequate ventilation while you're sanding and painting, and take frequent breaks if necessary. Be cautious when you're working on a ladder, and make sure it's stable before you start climbing.

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Step 2: Get Into a Scrape - Scrape and Sand
Take a good look at the door's existing paint - has it cracked around the edges of the panels? If so, the paint was probably applied too heavily the first time around. The last thing you want to do is pile on yet another heavy coat. Instead, use a 1-inch paint scraper to remove the excess paint, then sand it with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around the edge of a block of wood. The wood gives you good leverage while sanding. Scrape off any other loose paint you see. Afterwards, smooth the edges between the painted and unpainted areas with medium-grit sandpaper, then switch to fine-grit and sand some more.

Helpful Tip:

Before you begin scraping, be sure to use a new scraper blade or sharpen the existing blade with a fine metal file. An extra-sharp blade will make your job a lot easier and reduce the possibility of damaging the surface.

Safety Alert!

When you scrape, sand or remove old paint, you may release toxic lead dust into the air. Exposure to lead dust can cause serious illness, such as brain damage, especially in children. Pregnant women should also avoid exposure. When you're removing paint, always wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. And before you get started, learn how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or logging on to www.epa.gov/lead.

When you're sanding indoors, you can minimize airborne dust by setting up an easy exhaust system. Simply place a fan in a nearby window and open another window just outside the room.

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Step 3: Be a Smooth Operator - Prep and Prime
Dirt isn't the only thing that prevents paint from sticking - so does a glossy surface. You can remove the luster and smooth any imperfections in the door by lightly sanding it with an electric finishing sander or a rubber sanding block covered with fine sandpaper. Afterwards, use a feather duster to make sure all traces of dust are gone. When your door is dust-free, take one more step to ensure the paint will have a nice smooth surface to cling to - a coat of True Value EasyCare^® primer. Let the primer dry completely (a few hours or overnight) before you begin painting.

Helpful Tips:

Sanding may accidentally round out areas that are detailed or have crisp edges. To prevent cutting corners, don't sand these areas - instead, treat them with a chemical deglosser just before you're ready to apply primer. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions and heed all the safety warnings about ventilation and wearing a respirator.

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Step 4: Put on Your Coat - It's Painting Time
Here comes the colorful part - painting. Start with the panels, working from the inside out. Begin by painting the detailed (molded) areas around the panels, then move on to the panels themselves.

Helpful Tips:

True Value EasyCare^® paint is available in both water-based and alkyd-based (oil) formulas, and you can use either one. If you're a beginner, you'll probably prefer water-based - it dries faster and cleans up more easily than alkyd-based.
Always paint out of corners, not into them, to avoid creating paint deposits and clumps.
Try not to use a heavy hand when you're painting the panel-frame joints - otherwise, the paint may end up cracking. Instead, tip off these areas with a brush that's almost dry.

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Step 5: Get Edgy - Paint the Door Edges
Painting the edges give the door gives it a finished look and it's also practical. A coat of paint on the edges will keep the door from warping. Start with the top and bottom edges.

When it comes to painting the inner and outer edges, you may have a color decision to make. Some doors have a split color personality - that is, they're painted a different color on both sides (for example, the back of the door is painted beige to match the beige hallway and the front is blue, to match a blue bedroom). If your door looks different coming and going, paint its inner and outer edges to match the wall that shows when the door is open against it. For example, if the door opens out to the beige hallway, paint the edges beige also, so they'll match.

Helpful Tip:

When you're painting the bottom edge of a door that's still on its hinges, use a mirror to check your progress as you go.

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Step 6: Show Some Style - Paint the Stiles and Rails
The stiles and rails - the vertical and horizontal pieces that frame the panels - get painted last. Paint them in the same direction as the wood grain. Lightly tip off the finish with a dry brush.

Helpful Tips:

Painting a door that's still on its hinges can result in drips and sags, especially across each panel's top molding and bottom corners. To prevent that from happening, don't overload your brush with paint. If you see any errant drips as you go, dry brush them immediately, before they have a chance to set.
Watch corners for paint build-ups and dab any you see with the tips of the brush bristles. Need a visual? Think of throwing a dart, but use a lot less force.
If you see paint runs and drags, remove and smooth them with an upward motion of the brush. When there's a marked cross grain, follow the direction of the grain instead.
When you're all finished, make sure the paint fully cures by not closing the door for as long possible (one day is good - several is better).

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Step 7: Clean Up Your Act
Clean your brush with warm soapy water if you used water-based paint, and with mineral spirits if your paint is alkyd-based. When it clears thoroughly shake out excess liquid. Put the brush back in its protective sleeve OR hang it on a nail or hook. Don't throw the used paint thinner down the drain, some states won't allow it. Find out where you can dispose of it. Throw away the roller sleeves and clean up the trays. If you used tray liners, just toss them away. Re-install the door and replace any hardware you may have removed.

For more projects, go to TrueValuePaint.com. >

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