Wednesday 22 May 2013

How to paint your garage & front door!

Today's post is actually going to be a mini tutorial. With lots of pictures (because I'm a visual learner).

If you follow me on Facebook you may have seen this picture:
This was yesterdays project. Operation paint the front door. When I posted the picture I had a few ask for a tutorial on how it was done. Well....I didn't originally plan on blogging about it so I kinda, sorta, didn't take any pictures of the process. Oops! But don't fret I was already planning on painting my garage door so ill use that for the tutorial and adjust tips where needed. 

Are you ready? Lets go! 

Step 1. Assemble your supplies! 
 In my opinion Frog Tape is the best you can buy! You'll also need a cleaner to wash down the surface. Plus your painting tools.

I recommend using a small SPONGE roller.  
 If you live in Canada here is a paint option for you (Canadian Tire $27) 
 If you are painting your door a color be sure you get them to mix the EXTERIOR paint that says ACCENT BASE! 

Step 2. READ THE CAN!! Take it from me...who didn't. I thought "I'm a big girl, I paint all the time...I got this!". Then I got mad and finally read the can! When it recommends waiting 4-6 hours between coats...LISTEN! Its for your own good. Applying the paint too quickly will only start to take off the first coat and show roller lines and brush strokes. Frustrating! 

Step 3. Wash down the entire door.

Step 4. Tape off anything you do not want painted (Ie. Siding, Trim, Door Knob, Lock ect)...do not skip this step...you'll be sorry.

Step 5. Begin to use your roller to apply an even coat of paint over the entire door. Word of advice, do not try to be "proper" and paint the stiles of the door first with a brush...you WILL regret it! I did this on the front door and it took 4 coats with the roller to cover the lines from the brush. Your small sponge roller will get in all those nooks just fine! (Man I wish I could have read this tutorial first)

Make sure you get up into all the areas even though you think you may never see them, no cutting corners if you want a professional look in the end. 

Step 6. Allow the paint to dry for a complete 4-6 hours before re coating. VERY IMPORTANT!

Step 7. Once the 4-6 hours are up get out your supplies and give the whole door another good coat. If done correctly (by waiting it out) you should only need 2 coats. I didn't wait on the front door and ended up needing 4!!!! (Not worth the time and energy, I'm just glad it looks good now that its done)

Step 8. Remove the tape and admire your NEW door! (I even had a neighbour come over and tell me it looked great! Don't be surprised if you do too). 

 (Excuse the vehicle bum's, Ill get a better picture when I complete all my projects outside)

Here is a picture of our house on the day we moved in:
Here it is now with the front door, garage door and deck painted! 


I hope you liked today's tutorial! If you have any questions please leave me a comment and Ill try my best to help. 

Linking up to:
Embracing Change

19 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. I'm seriously lovin' it!! Now back to painting the deck! Lol it never ends :)

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  2. The black paint update is great!
    You are a brave girl! I always say "it's just paint". Easy to change.
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

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    1. Thank you Deb! I totally agree, If I try it and dont like it I can always do another coat!

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  3. Walterine Lukeman26 June 2013 at 12:39

    Looks great. I'm in the process of adding new paint and moldings in my house. I wish I enjoyed painting as much as it seems like you do! lol

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    1. I am definitely the painter in our house, its a lot of work and ill be honest sometimes I get so sick of it that I dont want to see another brush but what keeps me coming back is seeing the before and after shot! I hope you love your results when you are done! Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment!

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  4. Looks awesome! My husband was looking to buy a new "black" garage door - but now will paint it in. Was your garage door metal?

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    1. I actually believe it was plastic but this outdoor paint is good for both metal and plastic, my front door is metal :) hope you try it out!

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  5. just painted the front door and shutters at my house last week! where was this before then? my front door which I thought had turned out pretty well actually looks a mess I the bright afternoon sun. Do you think it would be overkill to try to put on one more coat with the sponge roller, (as I used a brush) to even it out?

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    1. I found a brush is the worst tool to use because it continues to pull the paint off when your trying to apply it. If I were you I would definitely do another coat with a small sponge roller I think it will help even it like you said :) good luck

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  6. Thanks for your painting tips, Christina! The entire repainting job is never easy, from choosing color, kind of paint, to the actual process itself can be physically and mentally draining. Where did you learn to paint, by the way? You sound and work like a professional! Good job!

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    1. Oh thank you very much! I have no professional training just a lot of research and trial and error! Thank you so much for your kind words its great to know people appreciate what I do! Thanks again.

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  7. What is the paint and is it just black metal paint?

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    1. Hi! There is a picture of the can in the post :) its an exterior paint for plastic and trim. Hope this helps!

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  8. There is a way to paint each section of the garage door separately, so there is paint in between each panel as well. Would be silly to see white/other color than new paint color, in between each panel, as the door is being opened/closed.Can find the tutorial on Pinterest.

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  9. What are the outside colors that were used on the house and trim?

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  10. nice article, using great equipment to renovate a house will fasten your work, besides it will produce you with smooth result!

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  11. Did you open the door and paint between the cracks where it opens?

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  12. How has the paint held up to weathering, sun, rain ?

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Thank you for checking out todays post! I would love to hear from you, please leave your comments or questions and I will try my hardest to respond to each one.

Christina