How do I paint a steel front entry door?

Teresa
by Teresa
My door has small sections of rust and I would like to give it a facelift. Any suggestions on the best way to do this?
  10 answers
  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Jun 11, 2017

    Start with the basics. Clean the rust off the door and sand the area down. (Clean the whole door.) if you don't want to strip the whole door down to the steel, just paint over the sanded areas with a matching color of Rustoleum. Then choose a different color to use as a glaze or stain. Brush on the new color on sections of the door, brushing and wiping most of it off. Do the sections until the entire door has been lightly stained. Then step back and decide which areas need more of the stain, including the new paint, or the edges where old and new meet. Rustoleum is a sealer itself, but read the directions if you want another sealer. Be sure to touch up the hardware! Best wishes 😇

  • Tam13317878 Tam13317878 on Jun 11, 2017

    Get very fine grain sand paper to lightly sand off the rust without scratching the door. Then clean that area to remove residue. After that it should be good to paint. Use a product like rustoleum; door will likely rust again due to the elements but that type of paint might prolong the reoccurrence. Good luck!

  • Doris Huskey Doris Huskey on Jun 12, 2017

    Yes, sand the rust off, then pick a design from Pinterest or a catalog and paint the door. I used regular paint & painted a garden of flowers, starting with a lot of leaves on the bottom with lots of flowers and gradually getting fewer flowers going up the door. I didn't try to connect them, just painted random flowers. Sealed it with poly.

  • Nursejnm Nursejnm on Jun 12, 2017

    Jewel is correct. I have used Rustoleum on my metal doors and railings for forty years. Just bought another can to do my metal bulkhead on the cellar. You can buy it at any home store or on Amazon. Lots of colors and flat or glossy finish. Good luck.


    • Teresa Teresa on Jun 12, 2017

      Thanks for the advice! I'm glad there are people who can help!

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Jun 16, 2021

    Use a paint designed for exterior use, such as an exterior satin or semi-gloss paint. It is best to apply a minimum of two coats to ensure a consistent finish that will last. Make sure each coat is completely dry before adding another. Make sure you sand off any rust first and then prime it well.


  • Em Em on Jun 27, 2021

    Sand off the rust first and clean well. Ask at the counter for metal outdoor paint. You might need a metal primer if you have to san down to the metal to remove the old rust. I did mine last year and it was a breeze with two coats and a soft bristle brush. Paint the first coat in one direction and the second in the opposite direction to catch all areas. Example brush the first coat all in up and down strokes and the second in all side to side strokes.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Sep 29, 2021

    Get very fine grain sand paper to lightly sand off the rust without scratching the door. Then clean that area to remove residue. After that it should be good to paint. Use a product like rustoleum; door will likely rust again due to the elements but that type of paint might prolong the reoccurrence

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Sep 30, 2021

    I agree with the comment about the Rustoleum paint. I love their products!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 13, 2021

    Hi, Yes, Prep the area by removing the rust, then use a metal primer and seal the area, before painting with a Metal Paint. Then paint the whole door when dry to give a fresh overall look.