Monday, May 3, 2010

Painting a flush (unpanelled/trim-free) door


Paint door in alphabetical order as in the diagram.

Wedge door open with two flat sticks; a wooden or rubber wedge; or a rolled up newspaper. If using a wooden wedge be careful not to kick it out afterwards as this can split the bottom edge of the door.

Put cardboard or newspapers under the door to protect floor or carpet.

If possible remove all handles, locks and other fittings (excepting hinges) from the door as this will make painting easier.

When you remove handles and locks dust behind thoroughly and blow out the dust from the lock cavity as this can easily end up in your paint. New doors often have sawdust in the lock cavity
Using a 3" brush start and paint each section in numerical order as in the diagram.
Use a smaller brush for cutting around the door handle and other door furniture if you have not removed it.
As you complete each section leave off the paint with an upward stroke, lightly with the tip of the brush
Keep checking back for runs especially in gloss paint.
Most likely places for runs to develop on a flush door are round the handle or fittings.

Don't apply paint too heavily or wide curtain runs can occur. Such runs should be brushed out and left off with upward strokes of the brush before the paint begins to set.

Always try and remove runs by using an upward motion of the brush
Garage doors come in wood, metal and various synthetic materials construction.
Hinged garage doors are becoming rarer as most doors fitted now are of the up-and-over type.
Designs range from simple vertical or horizontal panelling to more ornate panels and layouts. Usually only wooden doors have windows - more common years ago when the garage had no windows and there was no electric supply for a light.
Paint one complete bar or panel at a time; working from top to bottom or left to right as appropiate.
When you are finished painting, swing it fully open (if it is the up-and-over type) to prevent runs.
Painting Metal garage doors

Metal garage doors are generally galvanized to prevent rust. Normal paints will not adhere to galvanized metal no matter how many coats you apply.

You must first apply an etching (or bonding primer). This can be either a Zinc Phosphate primer or a Calcium Plumbate (not suitable for spray because of lead content) primer. If it is difficult to find these an Acrylic or Latex Metal primer should be sufficient for most jobs. If in doubt, ask for a metal primer for Galvanized metal, when you visit your store or website.

Please note that these primers MUST be applied directly to the bare metal; so any unsuitable paint must be completely removed.

Some metal doors come with a baked-on exopy which will most probably be a zinc-based epoxy paint and is quite a high specification for a normal metal garage door unless you live close to the sea. These doors would normally not require painting or come prefinished in the color of your choice. Assuming a high zinc content in the exopy then it is best to treat it as bare galvanized metal. Use an acrylic/latex metal primer as a tie coat between the exopy and your finish coat.

Painting Wooden garage doors

Bare wood must be knotted first. That is, apply a patent knotting liquid (you can use shellac or french polish if you can't get Knotting liquid), over any knots and areas where resin is bleeding from the wood. Knotting dries very quickly so it is best to keep you brush in the liquid. Special knotting containers are available, incorporating the brush in the lid.

Apply a coat of Wood primer, ensuring that all the edges are covered and paint the door inside as well as the exterior. This can be applied within 20 minutes of knotting. An oil-based wood primer requires at least 48 hours drying time in colder weather.

When the primer is dry, fill any nail holes and damage with a proprietary wood filler or linseed oil putty.

Sand down door and dust off; then apply a good coat of undercoat (preferably two coats). When thoroughly dry, rub down with a fine sandpaper, dust off and apply the finish coat (again, preferably two coats on all exterior woodwork).

Varnishing/staining a wooden garage door

Apply a clear shellac to any knots and resin creases. If you wish the door to be stained a particular color then the stain must be applied to the bare wood before varnishing and before treating the knots with shellac. The first coat of varnish should be slightly thinned with white spirit or turpentine. Sand down the surface when thoroughly dry ; ensure all dust is removed and then apply a second coat of varnish. A third coat of varnish is often required to give an acceptable finish.


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