Soquel, CA on Sep 15, 2011

We recently replaced our door trim and baseboards and painted them white.

At the time we had not decided whether to replace the doors or just paint them to match. In order to keep costs down I think I will paint them. So question is: Do I need to prime first or just give them a good wipe down before painting and replacing the hardware?

Thanks

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Prep before painting interior doors -

17 Comments

WallsTreat Studio/ Kass W... Alpharetta, GA

It is always a good idea to wipe them down with TSP, and lightly sand them for "tooth". I am a believer in primer for good adhesion. But, if your paint is water based (latex) it is a necessity.

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 1
Hudson Designs Loganville, GA

It looks as though they are stained and polyurethane over.
1st. you need to give them a good sanding with a 100 grit paper.
This will insure the primer sticks well.
2nd. Wipe down and primer with Kilt's or similar brand Primer.
3rd. Apply 2 coats of paint. I like to use foam rollers, less brush strokes that way.

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 1
Vicki K Soquel, CA

Thank you - I will give this a try.

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

I also recommend wiping with a deglosser to remove invisible hand oil, furniture polish, etc. that keep any paint from sticking well. If the doors are smooth already, you won't have to sand. The only problem is It's a hazardous material to use. So use gloves and open all the windows and turn on the whole house fan.
Best, CPeace

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 1
Vicki K Soquel, CA

Do you recommend any particular brand of deglosser?

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

They are all the same. I get ours at The Depot or any paint store. It helps if you keep you rag folded in quarters and flip it over when it gets dirty enough. When you are finished, hang it outside so it does not combust. Pay special attn. to the areas around the knob or just above, where hands like to grab.
Happy cleaning, Charles

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0
Hudson Designs Loganville, GA

Deglosser reduces the amount of sanding needed prior to repainting.
I would be very careful using it over any finished floor. I would use this only if removing the doors out side to paint them. Here is the MSDS on this type product, compared to sanding it is quite Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
Harmful by inhalation, may cause lung damage if swallowed. ...»

See MSDS here.
http://www.bigpaintstore.com/cro-ld-m-64.htm...
It is basically a softener and cleaner and light sanding will need to be done. Any good finish requires good prep work, you can cut corners and use chemicals but in the end cleaning and sanding is what give a good
Finish.

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 2
HandyANDY Home Renovation... Marietta, GA

Are you selling this one? Spend the money and change the doors out for 6-panels with lever hardware...if you're going to rent...doesn't matter. If you're keeping them....prime with one coat of Zinser Coverstain primer...then the same latex you used on the trim..

on Nov 13, 2011 · Like 0
Terrie Apopka, FL

Just food for thought. I recently purchased four six panel doors off of Craigs list, all for $75.00. I gave them a fresh coat of paint and they are perfect.

on Nov 13, 2011 · Like 0
Vicki K Soquel, CA

Hello Andy - Thanks for posting, here as well as my other dilemma with the house sale. We flip flopped between renting and selling (can't really afford to keep both and couldn't sleep at night worrying about a renter not taking care of the property). And than there's always the "split it down the middle" strategy for the doors. Hate to sound cheap - but we don't want to put more in the house than we would recoup in a sale. Would new hardware and painting the doors be enough? ...»

Terrie - Great idea looking at Craig's List - I will check it out. That is definitely an option that I would use.

on Nov 13, 2011 · Like 0
Linda D Sarasota, FL

raise panel doors at home depot for 20.00 each hole is pre- made too!!!

on Feb 21, 2012 · Like 0
HandyANDY Home Renovation... Marietta, GA

Don't get the pre-drilled doors for an older home...the holes aren't likely to line up. If you go with slabs...just drill the holes yourself or get someone local like me to do it for you.
Vicki - it's not being cheap...it's being smart. Try bringing in 3 local real estate agents and get their opinions....every local market is different...what works for my flips here in metro Atlanta might not work in Cali. I've been involved in 100s of flips over the years and STILL learn ...»
everyday!
If you are renting...leave them alone. If you can rent the place for enough to apply a cap rate that makes sense...you might find an investor to buy you out. You can video the property and put it on youtube.com for free...then post the links on sites for free. Just an idea....sometimes it's better to take a loss and cut your monthly payments.
I would only do the doors and hardware if you were selling....you may also want to consider owner financing with a signficant amount down while the buyers work to repair their credit or fix lapses in employment. There are alot of way to get creative to market a property wherever you are in the country but always try to get local expert opinions.
You might also do what I do....I own a credit repair so we offer free credit repair to attract better quality tenants. It works for us and our houses rent quickly and stay rented...UNLESS they are hood houses in the city which we no longer buy. Slightly off topic but happy to help if we can!

on Feb 22, 2012 · Like 0
Deb L Patterson, MO

I recently read on Pinterest where some lady opted not to prime, nor sand a piece of furniture. She used Valspar Betsy Ross Brown House paint color, so I went to Lowes and purchased a quart and did my mom's bathroom door and trim. It matches her espresso colored vanity perfectly. I also painted the wood trim on her medicine cabinet as well as the metal inside. It did take two coats, but matched perfectly and looks like it was bought from the store that color.

on Mar 13, 2012 · Like 0
HandyANDY Home Renovation... Marietta, GA

Isn't that a latex paint? The Valspar product is decent but I didn't think it would bond to oil-stained doors without priming first?

on Mar 14, 2012 · Like 0
Deb L Patterson, MO

I painted an oil stained door in my mom's bathroom. I did use Valspar, in Betsy Ross Brown and it only took one coat. It may have worked so well, due to the door not having been stained in years. I also painted her metal and wood medicine cabinet. The wood did nicely with one coat, the metal needed two, but looked new when I got finished.

on May 29, 2012 · Like 0
Donna G Riverton, WY

Be sure to prime first, since it's in the hall paint them white and it will really brighten the hall up.

on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 0
Dans Handyman Services East Carbon, UT

if there varnished doors your going to have to sand them and prime with a stain blocking primer like Kilzs

on Jun 17, 2012 · Like 0