Tips for Painting Interior Doors

How to Get a Smooth Finish Without a Paint Sprayer

I shared a little while ago about updating Mary Helen’s nursery into a shared kids room for her and Gus. One thing that wasn’t exactly on the mood board I shared was about painting their closet door. And it’s complete!

I know I’ve been showing my paint sprayer on several projects lately, but I know not everyone has access to one! So today I’m sharing how to get a sprayer-smooth finish with a paint roller!

Materials

• (3) 3-inch screws
• sawhorses
• semi-gloss interior paint
• 6″ high-density foam roller
• paint brush
• painter’s tape

Lay it Flat-Tip #1

I’ve always found it easier to lay a door flat to paint it. You don’t have to worry about drips and I feel like it’s just easier to see it and work something rather than under it.

But the trick to laying it flat is to use (3) 3″ screws and sawhorses. 2 in the top of the door and 1 centered in the bottom. Then you lay the screws on the sawhorses. Once you’re done with the first coat on one side, pick up the door by the 2 top screws and rotate it on the bottom screw. Then you’re ready to paint the second side, no more waiting for the first side to dry!

When it’s all said and done, you’ll never see the small holes left behind from the screws…until the next time you go to paint your door.?

Paint with Foam-Tip #2

Paint any creases, intricate molding, and corners with a regular paint brush before rolling surrounding areas with your foam roller.

Other than using the foam roller cover, the action is the same as a regular roller! I like to slap the paint on one section of the door and then smooth it out with one long stroke of the roller. To make sure you don’t leave any lap lines behind, lightly roll over them when you don’t have much paint left on the roller.

Let It Dry-Tip #3

A lot of times, people will rush after they’ve finished painting to re-install hinges and hardware. But I beg you to wait an hour or so! If you do it too soon, the hardware will indent in the paint and become stuck. While this really isn’t that big of a deal if you’re not changing out your hardware anytime soon, it can peel the paint when you do remove them next!

Painter’s Tape-Tip #4

After your door is dry and you’ve re-installed the hardware, carefully hang your door back up! But before you close it, add some painter’s tape to the face of your door jamb. So when the door is closed, the fresh paint is not touching the door frame anywhere. If it does touch and it’s not fully cured, the old paint on the door frame can pull off the new paint on the door itself. Not cool, bro!

So what are your thoughts on painted closet doors? I know they aren’t for everyone! Are you a all-doors-have-to-be-the-same purist? I’ll admit I used to be one, but now I’m living the navy blue door life and loving it!☺️Ha!

Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea