There will come a time where your doors just aren’t looking that great anymore. Instead of replacing the whole door, you should just consider painting it. Painting your doors will save you money because you can extend their life. It is also a great way to quickly give your home an upgrade.
So, can you use acrylic paint on a door? Yes! Acrylic paint is a great option for painting your doors. You can use regular acrylic paint inside and exterior acrylic paint outside. Acrylic paint sticks to most surfaces, including wood, plastic, and metal. This means you can use it on any kind of door you might have and not worry about the adhesion.
Painting your doors is a quick and easy process. You can typically have it done in a day or less, depending on how many doors you are painting. Acrylic paint dries quickly, so you will have fresh looking doors in no time.
How to Paint a Door with Acrylic Paint
Painting a door with acrylic is simple and shouldn’t take you very long. If you are painting the outside of your front door, you will need to make sure that you are painting on a day that it’s not going to rain. Rain can ruin your paint job before you even finish, so you want to make sure there’s no rain in the forecast.
You also want to make sure the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results. You will also benefit from painting during a time of day where the sun is not shining on your door directly. The sunlight and heat can cause the paint to bubble.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
Remove the locks, doorknob, and kick plate from your front door with a screwdriver and cover the floor to catch any potential paint drops. Clean the door with bleach and water or a mildew cleaner and follow that with some soapy water. Let the door completely dry before you continue.
Tape all of the parts of the door where you don’t want paint. This can include the door knocker, the peephole, and the weatherstrip at the bottom. If there is any paint peeling, you will want to remove that with a knife. If there is any visible rust, clean it with a wire brush.
You will want to sand doors that have flaking paint to smooth the surface and prevent dents in the new paint. With a damp cloth, wipe the door to remove any dust from sanding. If your door is in good condition, you can skip this step.
Sargent Art is a great primer to use with acrylic paints, and it can also be used with gouache paints too!
When your front door is smooth and dry, you can start with your primer. It is highly recommended that you use a primer that can block stains. Apply a thin coat of the primer and let it dry for the amount of time listed on the container. When the first coat has dried, sand it slightly and remove the dust. Apply a second coat of primer and let it dry.
When you are ready to apply the paint to your door, use a roller and roll it back and forth evenly across the door with long strokes. Let the paint dry for the amount of time listed on the container, then add a second coat. Wait about 24 hours before replacing the hardware on the door.
If you are painting an interior door, you will not have to worry about rain and temperature. Remove the door from the hinges and clean it with a household cleaner. Remove all of the hardware and fill any dents you see with a filler than can be sanded.
Sand the door with a light sandpaper to level out and even the surface. Wipe off any dust from sanding with a damp cloth or a vacuum with brush attachment. Apply one thin coat of primer to the door and let it dry.
Then, sand the surface of the door and apply a second coat of primer. When the second coat of primer is dry, you can start applying the acrylic paint. You will also want to use thin coats and let each dry before you apply the next.
For the best results, you will want to add a sealant on your door for extra protection of your paint. A sealant will protect the door from scratches and dents in the paint.
Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Interior Doors?
Acrylic paint is one of the best options to use on an interior door. It applies incredibly easy and is permanent when it’s dry. This means that it is highly unlikely that the paint will crack or chip, requiring a new paint job.
Just like the steps above, make sure to prime, paint and seal your door. Sealing acrylic paint is a must, in order to avoid flaking, chipping and fading of the paint.
How to Seal Acrylic Paint on Wooden Doors
When you seal acrylic paint on a wooden door, you will first need to make sure that the paint is completely dry. The sealant can be a brush-on formula or spray-on formula, but you need to make sure it is an acrylic sealer.
Apply the first coat of sealant as you did the primer and the paint. Thin layers are best because it will help the sealant cure faster. Let the first coat dry for a minimum of six hours before you add a second coat. Two coats should be enough, but if you feel like you want to add a third coat you can.
Tips for Painting Your Bedroom Door with Acrylics
If you want to get the most out of your new paint job, there are a few things you can do to ensure the longevity. The biggest tip for painting your bedroom door with acrylics is to apply a primer first. This will help the acrylic paint adhere to the surface no matter what the previous paint was.
I like to use Sargent Art Primer because it offers great protection, and it’s super affordable!
It will also be beneficial to sand your door before priming and painting. Even if you think your door is in good condition, sanding will help ensure a smooth surface for the best paint job possible.
The way you paint the door is also important for making sure the paint job lasts as long as possible. You will start by painting the edges, then move to the panels. Next, you will paint vertically down the center followed by horizontally between the panels.
Finally, you will paint vertically on the outside of the panels. This will give you a clean looking paint job in the quickest time.
Final Thoughts
If it is time for your doors to get a makeover, you will want to make sure you are using the right type of paint. The best paint you can use is acrylic paint for interior and exterior doors. For exterior doors, use an outdoor acrylic paint and for interior doors you can use regular acrylic paint.
Acrylic paint is the best because it is versatile and can adhere to several different surfaces. Whatever material your door is made out of, you will be able to use acrylic paint on it. When it dries, it is permanent and highly unlikely to peel or crack.
It will be extremely beneficial to seal your doors after you paint them. The paint will be protected from scratches and dents, meaning it will last longer. Sealants can also make your paint look brighter and shinier, improving the look of your home.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your acrylic painted door turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
