{"id":2338,"date":"2022-02-09T20:51:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T01:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/?p=2338"},"modified":"2024-02-28T10:56:23","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T15:56:23","slug":"how-to-paint-metal-front-door-without-removing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/how-to-paint-metal-front-door-without-removing\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Paint A Metal Front Door Without Removing It (With Pictures!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wondering how to paint your front door without removing it? Well, look no further because I have your answer! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To easily paint a front door without removing it, remove the door handle and tape the hinges with painter’s tape prior to painting. The benefits of painting while the door is still hung are that both sides can be painted in the same session and clean up is faster (just remove the tape and you are done).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that we have the basics covered, let\u2019s go over some more details so you can paint your front door with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Navigation: How To Paint A Metal Door Without Removing It<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Remove Flaking Or Peeling Paint From Door & Clean Door<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Repair Dents, Dings, Or Scratches On Door<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Remove Door Handle & Tape Hinges \/ Trim<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Apply 1-2 Coats Of Primer (SAND Between Coats)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Apply 2-3 Coats Of Paint (SAND Between Coats)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Remove Tape & Re-Install Door Handle<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Other FAQs About Painting A Metal Door Without Removing It<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Level Of Difficulty<\/th>Time To Complete<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Medium<\/td>2-3 Days<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Material List<\/th>Tool List<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Bondo Repair Kit<\/a><\/td>Flexible Putty Knife (Comes With Bondo Repair Kit)<\/td><\/tr>
    Rustoleum Metal Primer<\/a><\/td>Clean, Flat Mixing Surface (Drywall Hawk<\/a> Works Well)<\/td><\/tr>
    Rustoleum Front Door Paint<\/a><\/td>Mechanical Sander<\/a> (If Repairing Using Bondo Or Removing Old, Flaking Paint)<\/td><\/tr>
    80 Grit Sandpaper (Comes With Bondo Repair Kit)<\/td>Fine-Texture Foam Roller<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    180 Grit Sandpaper (Comes With Bondo Repair Kit)<\/td>Paintbrush<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    320 Grit Sandpaper (Comes With Bondo Repair Kit)<\/td>Paint Tray<\/td><\/tr>
    Painter’s Tape (Delicate)<\/a><\/td>Clean Microfiber Rags<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    Dawn Dish Soap<\/td>Screwdriver (If Removing The Handle)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step One: Remove Flaking Or Peeling Paint From Door & Clean Door<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The first step to painting a metal front door without removing it is to prep the door for paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Door prep is going to look different for you based on the level of disrepair that your door is currently in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If your door is in excellent shape (i.e. no dents, scratches, or flaking paint), then all you need to do in this step is clean the door using soap, water, and a clean microfiber rag.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This microfiber rag set found at Amazon<\/a> is awesome because it prevents scratches while cleaning and easily picks up dust particles to make sure you have the cleanest door before painting.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Make sure to remove any dirt thoroughly and rinse off all soap before moving to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, if your door has flaking paint, then your first step will be to sand off all of the flakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To accomplish this, use a mechanical sander and 80 grit sandpaper. Sand the entire door and remove the large chunks of paint that are peeling off with the sander and\/or a putty knife.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once the door is relatively smooth and flake-free, clean the door with soap, water, and a clean microfiber rag to remove any dust left behind while sanding.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"
    We did not have flaking paint, so I just wiped the door down thoroughly and move to the next step.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are also painting the inside of your door, then be sure to sand and clean that side as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once the door is clean and dry, it\u2019s time to move on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step Two: Repair Dents, Dings, Or Scratches On Door<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The next step to painting a metal front door without removing it is to repair any damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If your door is in good shape, then skip to step three<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, if your door has major scratches or dents in it (as ours did), then you need to repair them now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To accomplish this step, you will need <\/strong>this Bondo Repair Kit found at Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This kit will supply you with all of the materials you will need to fix dents or scratches in metal or wood doors.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How To Repair A Dent\/Scratch In A Metal Or Wood Front Door<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Mix Bondo body filler with red cream hardener<\/strong> on a flat, clean surface using the Bondo speader tool<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Spread the mixed Bondo filler<\/strong> across the dent or scratch (go wider than the dent so you can sand evenly)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Wait for the filler to dry<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Sand the filler using 80 grit sandpaper until smooth<\/strong> with the surrounding door<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Sand a little more using 180 grit sandpaper to smooth<\/strong> out the entire area<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Wipe down the entire area<\/strong> with a clean microfiber rag<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. If there are tiny imperfections, spread the Bondo red glazing and spot putty<\/strong> over the imperfections<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Wait for the red glazing and spot putty to dry<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    9. Sand the red spot glaze with 320 grit sandpaper<\/strong> until the entire area is smooth<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    10. Wipe down the entire area<\/strong> with a clean microfiber rag<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      For a more detailed tutorial on how to fix a dent in a front door, check out my article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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      \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Once all of the damaged areas are repaired, it\u2019s time to prep for primer!
      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Step Three: Remove Door Handle & Tape Hinges \/ Trim<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The next step to painting a metal front door without removing it is to remove the door handle and tape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Save yourself some time and just paint your front door while it\u2019s still hanging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This method of painting is beneficial for a few reasons:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n