How to Paint a Metal Security Door
- 1). Take off all the stripping and hardware from the door, including the strike plates. Take off the hinges as well with a screwdriver if you are painting the door while it is off the door frame.
- 2). Carefully remove the weather stripping. It should pull right out of the groove of the door. Store it somewhere safe because you will re-insert it once you are finished. If you cannot remove the stripping, apply masking tape over it to protect it while painting.
- 3). Use a single-edge razor blade to remove any excess window glazing from around the window frame of the door if it has one. Do not cut the door frame.
- 4). Clean the door with a rag and either a mild cleaner or rubbing alcohol. Protect any areas you are not painting with masking tape.
- 5). Repair any dents by sanding them with 80- to 100-grit sandpaper and then fill them in with a filling substance such as Bondo, in accordance with the substance's instructions. Use a finer sandpaper to smooth out the edges after the filler dries.
- 6). Use a medium-fine sanding sponge to sand down the entire door in preparation for painting to give it a smoother surface.
- 7). Apply a universal, quick-drying, oil-based primer to the door. An aerosol primer works best and is faster. You need just one coat of primer.
- 8). Use a roller to apply a smooth coat of paint. If the door has raised panels, you will probably need to use a brush. Once the first coat is smooth and dried, apply a second coat. Two coats should suffice but apply more coats as needed. Reattach the stripping and hardware once the door is fully painted and dried.
