I going to be painting 10 new primed 6 panel doors that my Mom had installed. Latex paint. 20 door sides(geez). In the past when I have painted doors seems to take a long time and I always get drips/runs around the bottom corners of the panels. Any tips or suggestions on making this easier and better quality? Thanks

If there is an easy way I haven't found one yet. I just did that a few months ago and don't want to tackle it again for the simple reason I hate those drips/runs on the corners of the panels. So hope someone answers you so I know too !

Good luck

Ms tick

Hi, littleduke!

Ideally, it would be best to take the doors off and lay them flat. Are you able to do that?

Also, how do you plan on applying the paint, please?

Thanks!

Using too much paint on bush.

I roll flat areas and dry brush bottom edge of panel to remove excess paint, then paint the detailed area from top to bottom. As an accent, I painted the detailed area with wall color. Lot of work but I like the look.

Chuck

I plan on using a brush to paint. Had not planned on taking down the doors since she just had them installed. Would have been better to paint before they put up. I had thought about rolling them and then going back over with a brush so that they would not looked rolled. Does this technique work?
Thanks

Use a small nape roller sleeve. With a good quality paint should not see brush strokes.

Chuck

Hi, littleduke!

Would you mind if the brush marks showed, please? Some painters prefer that they do. It provides a sort of "warmth" to the look of the paint job and also can show the mark of how well the painter did the job.

If you wouldn't mind the stroke lines showing, then the quality of the brush used and technique of application will make a huge difference in the overall appearance of the job.

I'm also writing about the stroke marks being very subtle and not overt.

Thanks!

I want brush marks. That is why I wondered if putting on with roller and then going back over with brush would be a good/faster technique than painting with just a brush. I'm starting today. Guess I'll try both ways and see how it goes.

Tips:

You will need at least two size width of brushes for the job - both preferably having fairly long handles. Suggestions: A 1" wide to 1&1/2" wide sash brush and a 2&1/2" to 3" brush. Both with finely tapered brush edges and both appropriate for base type of the paint being used. Whether the bristles are angled or not is a matter of personal choice. I prefer angles to the bristles in order to give the largest amount of flexibility when applying the paint.

Starting with the sash brush, you paint the inside edges of the panels. I'm assuming that there is some kind of beveled edge to them that might be 1" or less in width. It's best to start with the smallest areas when painting on a door so that any errors in applying the paint on the larger surfaces can sort of "fall" into the area of the smaller areas.

Apply the paint quickly and in short strokes applied in the same direction and in the same direction as the grain of the wood with light coats of paint but with enough paint so that you'll be able to feather over the entire length of the board. If you allow edges of paint to dry too long, which could be for even a couple of minutes, then you run the risk of overlap marks.

Paint the inside of the panels after painting the inside edges of them. You can use the finely tapered sash brush first for the edges, moving out lightly in the same direction as the grain or left to right, if painting with your right hand, and then use the larger brush to paint the remainder of the inside of the panels. Paint one panel at a time. Remember to not let edges of the paint dry too much. Always work from an unpainted area to a painted area when applying the paint.

Use at least two, light coats of paint for the paint to appear the best on the surfaces.

Feather out the entire length of boards quickly after initially applying the paint.

Takes a bit of time and patience, but results are worth it.

If you've already applied one coat, and aren't please with the results in some areas, can lightly sand evenly in the direction of the grain and brush strokes and make improvements with the application of succeeding coats.

Always thoroughly clean and dry the brushes immediately after using them. Proper cleaning and drying brushes is another subject. But, I wanted to make sure that you had the foregoing information as quickly as possible. I hope that it's helpful to you!

Thanks!