How to Repaint a Steel Door

If you want to add a color or design to the entry way of your home you can repaint your steel door. Steel doors can easily be removed from the hinges, but a lot of preparation works comes before the steel door is actually ready to be repainted.

Things you'll need:

• Sawhorses


• Screwdriver


• Sandpaper


• Oil-based primer


• Oil-based paint


• Paintbrushes


• Hand held power sander (optional)

1. Remove the door from its hinges and lay it flat over a couple of sawhorses. This is a great way to prevent the door from having runs. Take off the door handle and door sweep from the bottom of the door.


2. Sand all the paint off of your door using sandpaper. It is important that every particle of paint is removed from your steel door. If you are dealing with bare steel, consider using a hand-held power sander to make this job easier.


3. Use an oil-based primer to prime the door with a paintbrush or use spray primer. Allow the door to completely dry, which can take up to a couple of hours.


4. Lightly sand the primed steel door once the primer is dry. Gently run the sandpaper over the fully primed door. Make sure you do not sand too hard that the primer comes off; just enough to make the surface a little rough.


5. Paint the steel door to your desired color. The first coat should be lightly applied to the door. Paint the entire door over the primer using a paintbrush or spray paint. Allow the paint to fully dry.


6. Lightly sand the first coat of paint in the same manner as you did the primer. Do not sand too hard to remove paint, just enough to "rough up" the door.


7. Apply a second coat of paint on the steel door. For the second coat be more generous with the amount of paint you use. Do not apply too much paint to where it clumps on the door. Let the door dry completely.


8. Turn the door over and repeat Steps 2 to 7. Once both sides of the steel door are painted and dry reattach the door handle and door sweep. Place the door back on the hinges.