While you're picking a paint color, also think about sheen: With a flat finish, scuff marks and handprints are hard to wipe away. High gloss is easy to clean but accentuates every little flaw, so your prep and paint job have to be perfect. Satin and semigloss are good compromiseAlso check the operation of the door. against the jamb or drags on the carpet, now's the time to sand or plane the edges. If you have several doors that need painting, start with the least prominent one. It's better to make learning mistakes on the inside of a closet door than on yourThe actual work involved in painting a door typically amounts to three to five hours, depending on the condition of the door and how fussy you are. add in the drying time and it's painting a door you can't live without—like a bathroom or exterior door—get started first thing in the morning so it can be back in service by day'sPros often paint doors in place.

But from prep to painting, you'll get better results if you remove the door. garage, shop or basement, you can control lighting and dryingAnd laying the door flat minimizes runs inHere's what to do after you remove the door: If your door is in good shape, all it needs is a light sanding with sandpaper or a sanding sponge (180 or 220 grit). roughen the surface a little and allow the primer to adhereBut most likely, you'll also need to smooth out chipped paint and imperfections from previous paint jobs. the most time-consuming, tedious part of the project. are some tips for faster, Paint often sticks to sandpaper, clogging the grit and to check the label and buyYou may still get some clogging, but you'll get less. This goes for sponges and other abrasives too. Start with 120 or 150 grit. You can switch to coarser paper (such as 80 grit) on problem areas, but be sure to follow up with finer grit to smooth out the sanding scratches.

On flat areas, a hard sanding block will smooth the surface much better than sponges or other soft-backed abrasives Try a finishing or random-orbit sander on flat areas. save you tons of time. Then again, the sandpaper may clog immediately from heat buildup. It depends on the type and age Buy a collection of sanding sponges and pads for the shapedThrough trial and error, you'll find that some work better than others on your profiles. Inspect your work with low-angle lighting (see Photo 4). Water-Based Alkyd is Best Some paints show brush marks, ridges and roller stipple no matter how skillful or careful you are. smoothly and then level out beautifully, even if you're not a master painter. If you want a smooth finish, choose a paint designed for that. even good-quality paints, just aren't formulated for smoothness. paints are usually labeled “enamel” or “door and trim.” But the label alone doesn't tell you enough;

some brands of “enamel” are much better thanAdvice from the store staff, and the price, are the best indicators. Super-smooth paints often cost $25 to $30 per quart! But it's worth an extra 10 bucks per door to get first-class results. Among the paints we've used, one category stands out for smoothness:These paints dry slowly for extra working time and levelshower door glass etching kit out almost as well as traditional oil-based alkyds. upvc french doors locking systemAfter applying them withroller door for sale nsw a high-quality roller, you can usually skip the brush-out step shown in Photos 7auto glass repair powder springs ga

and 9 and still get perfect results. Cleanup is as easy as with any otherThe disadvantages of water-based alkyds are a very long wait before recoating (16 to 24 hours) and a high price tag. Here are two we've used: Benjamin Moore Advance Waterborne Interior Alkyd and Sherwin-Williams ProClassic Interior Waterbased Acrylic-Alkyd Enamel. outdoor gas fire pits torontoAfter the arduous color selection process is finally complete, there is still one small part left to choose. pre hung door sets suppliersWhile the type of finish used may not seem like a big deal, the amount of shine added to a color can drastically change how it appears. sliding wardrobe doors south eastFiguring out the right paint finish to use is relatively straightforward and simple.

And we have lots of information to help you make the right choice! Whether you are choosing the finish for an indoor or outdoor project, the finishes used are mostly the same. While different companies use different terms to refer to the various levels of gloss, the levels are fairly universal. To figure out which finish you will need, first take a look at all of the finishes that are available. Typically, no matter what they call them, any paint manufacture will offer 4 different sheens ranging from dull to shiny. Usually the first 2 finishes are recommended for use on the walls and the remaining 2 are to be used for accents such as trim, doors, and cabinetry. Now just follow this simple guide to help you decide! Best for Concealing: Matte or Flat Finish Pros: With a velvety appearance, this popular standard finish will conceal blemishes and give off a more traditional feel. It can easily be touched up and will hide any surface imperfections that may exist. Cons: Because this type of finish is porous, this style absorbs stains and is more difficult to clean than others, so marks and fingerprints will show and may not come off of surfaces.

Interiors: Great For Ceiling paint and low-traffic rooms such as closets, or for walls with “character” such as in an older home. Exteriors: Great For Old wooden siding or siding with imperfections or scatches. Best for Easy Maintenance: Eggshell, Satin, Silk, or Low-Luster Pros: This is typically the favored finish for areas that get lots of use as they can easily be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove scuffs or marks and it is very low maintenance. For exterior walls it is durable and pleasant to look at. Cons: When used to cover large areas, brush strokes or roller marks may be seen up close. Interior: Great for a Kid’s room or almost any room, a good all-around finish. Exterior: Great for a universal exterior finish, the subdued sheen is similar to the look of brand new siding. Pros: The sheen allows the paint to reflect a considerable amount of light and it is also very durable and easy to clean. Cons: While the durability factor may seem appealing, as enamel, it will highlight any imperfections in the walls such as brushstrokes or the imprint of the roller and is best used exclusively on accents.

Interior: Mostly used for accents such as trim, cabinetry, and doors, but also works well for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens because of how easy it is to clean. Exterior: Great for Doors, gutters, shutters, trim or any other area you would like to draw attention to. Best for Highlights: High Gloss Pros: Similar to lacquer but less expensive. This finish has the most durability and shine and is a brilliant finish for flawless walls. It also dries to become smooth and non-porous so dust and other dirt are easy to wipe off! Cons: More expensive than other styles and very labor intensive to paint with, especially for darker colors. Interior: Perfect for adding drama and creating that extra “wow” factor for a statement room such as the dining room or front hall! Also works well to highlight doors, trim or unique architectural elements Exterior: While not typically used for exterior walls high gloss can be used to highlight exterior structural elements or accent features such as doors and shutters