How to paint a door {interior door makeover}
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Our family room was painted almost two years ago and for some reason, I never painted the door leading to our porch. It’s a traditional steel door with a full glass window. Many people over look painting the interior part of their door and honestly, I did as well. How to paint a door is simple and a quick and easy way to add color to a space.
When 3M asked if I would be willing to share a paint project using their fabulous painters tape plastic, I knew painting the door in our family room was the perfect project.
The back door, as you can see, is scuffed and a bit dirty from everyday life but more so from our two large dogs. The dogs tend to scratch at the door and the bull mastiff loves to wipe his slobbery face all over the door.
So lets get painting.
Items needed:
ScotchBlue™ Pre-taped Painters Plastic (24”)
3M Scotch Blue Painters Tape for Multi-Surface with Edge-Lock™ Paint Line Protector ( 1 inch )
3M 180/fine sand paper
Paint
Brush
I had never used the pre-taped painter’s plastic before and I must say, it works like a charm.
I taped the plastic right up close to the door on the carpet and simply pulled the plastic outward to extend over the carpet.
The plastic is folded up nicely underneath and all you do is pull it out.
I wanted the blue taped portion snug right up against the door so I ended up doing two layers of plastic because the door has a small indent.
If you have ever painted close to the carpet, you know the importance of ensuring that the carpet is covered, even in the tiny cracks. Paint on carpet is never a good thing :(. This pre taped plastic is perfect for those tiny small areas. I used ScotchBlue™ Painters Tape for Multi-Surface with Edge-Lock™ Paint Line Protector to tape off the window, door knob and hinges and used 3M 180/fine sandpaper to soften the scratches as well as remove the grim.
I decided that a dark gray color would look nice against the Wythe Blue on the walls. I also used a semi gloss finish because the door is used on a regular basis and needs to be cleaned often. If you don’t want a shiny finish, a satin or egg shell may be a better option. I find that semi gloss cleans up easily and always looks fresh and clean, especially on a door.
If you take the time to do the proper prep work, the painting part is so much easier. I also used a painters tarp to cover the remaining part of the carpet. Like I said, paint on carpet is not good.
Such an improvement, don’t you think?
Why didn’t I do this soon? I love the gray color against the wide pine planks and blue/green wall.
Painting an interior door is really one of the simplest ways to add a pop of color in an unexpected place. My dad said, “what was wrong with the white door?” There was nothing wrong with the white door but I must say, I love having a color now on the door. This post on how to paint a door was sponsored by 3M. All opinions and words are 100% my own. I am ready to tackle painting the rest of our interior doors fun bright colors :).
I am proud to be a 3M- sponsored blogger, and, as part of my responsibilities, I get the opportunity to evaluate new products from 3M DIY. I was compensated for this post. All opinions and words are 100% my own. Be sure to checkout 3M on their facebook, pinterest and twitter accounts.
About The Author
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
I will need to use the 3m with plastic next painting job since I usually get paint everywhere 🙂
Wow! What a difference! I never thought of painting an interior door a different color than the trim but it looks fantastic! My boyfriend has an old house that I have been helping him fix up over the past couple of years. The first floor is pretty much complete so we’re moving on to the second floor and now you have my wheels spinning. Wish I knew about the 3m pre-taped painters plastic before. I’ll definitely be picking some up when we head upstairs to paint.
I wish I had painted mine sooner 🙂
OMG! love what you did with the door!! And seriously agree that I wouldn’t tackle any paint project without 3m painters tape. I love that stuff!!
Thanks Stephanie!
Your door looks GREAT!!! I will need to go and pick up some 3m tape! I really like the pre-taped plastic to cover the rug. I am a sloppy painter and always end up tilting my tray and spilling paint all over!!! This will definitely help.
great tips, thank you! last time we had a painting project I needed painter’s tape that I could use on a freshly painted surface – 3M had great tape just for that purpose and it worked beautifully!!
Jessica, this is awesome. Love that pre taped plastic from 3M, must try soon! Thanks for the great tips! Beautiful as aways!
Wendy
You are welcome Wendy!
oh perfect timing!! you know we’ve been painting at our house, but next on my list was a few doors – specifically the one in the kitchen that leads to the garage! the tape with plastic attached is genius!
The tape does work good 🙂
Looks awesome! I already have my 3M tape (it’s all I buy now) and I need to paint the door in our laundry/mud room, that leads to the garage. I just need some warm weather and to finally pick a colour! I am thinking Valspar’s Heirloom Red because I want to paint the walls SW Sea Salt. There isn’t much wall space with all the built in cubby’s and hooks on the wall, so the door needs colour. Plus my white door looks gross!!
You will be amazed at how much cleaner it will look once you paint it. I cannot believe how much brighter it makes the corner.
Thank you for the post. I had already decided to paint my overlooked steel door leading to the garage, and your article was right on time!
I bet your door will turn out great!
This is a great idea! We painted our bottom level of our house last year…but we never thought to paint the interior doors. The rooms will look so much better with the doors painted. Thanks for the tutorial!
Good luck with your doors Jamie!
This is such a good reminder for me to GET AT MY DOOR! I painted it three years ago and the dogs have gone to town on it. Love the 3 M plastic, especially over my new floors.
Good luck Jen!
It looks beautiful!!!!!
Love this post as my husband and I were just discussing that we need to paint the interior and exterior of our double doors that are glass paned like yours. Love the plastic and easy way you displayed painting them.
your doors look fantastic. Love that pre-taped plastic from 3M.
my husband and I are in the process of building our dream home. I have finally found the perfect laundry room door (antique with 1/2 glass) and want to paint it. Was wondering how you sealed the paint? Did you wax the door after you painted it?
We just painted the door and didn’t use a sealer. It wasn’t necessary. Depending on what kind of door you have, you could always prime the door first with a primer prior to painting.