Vivid Doors In this guide we are going to show the correct way in which to paint a glass panel door including everything from the tools you will need to the step-by-step process, leaving you with the perfect painted glass panel door.
Tools Required
- Paint Brushes of different sizes; small for cutting in and bigger for the panels.
- Dust sheet
- Undercoat
- Primer
- Knotting
- Cleaning cloth
- Wire tool
- Masking Tape
- Sandpaper
A 10 point Step By Step Guide
It is important to note that the time required to paint your door will depend on its size, the material it is made from and the number of coats of paint that your door needs. Since some doors come to you as a bare wooden door, then it will need a primer as well as an undercoat and at least two topcoats. For the purposes of this guide we will assume that the door we are painting is ‘in the white’ meaning it needs priming and painting.
- Start off by laying out your dust sheet and lay your glazed internal door down as flat as possible to prevent warping.
- When inspecting the door make sure you fill in any knots or blemishes before painting and then dust the door to make sure it is completely clean.
- Gently sand your door to prepare it to accept the primer and then use a vacuum to clear up all the dust. Wipe your door down with a wet cloth and allow to dry.
- Make sure to cover the glass panels on your door with masking tape to protect from splashes. Run the tape down the length of the glass and secure it firmly. Carefully cut the tape at the point where the glass meets the wood and peel off the tape that is covering the wood, leaving it to cover just the glass.
- Next, carefully paint the door using a thin brush to ‘cut in’ the thin areas near the glass and use the bigger brush for the larger sections of the door. Always follow the grain and use consistent, firm strokes.
- After painting the large parts of the door, fill in the mouldings. Lightly load the brush with paint and top up frequently to avoid the paint dripping and running.
- After priming your door, allow the primer to dry and then lightly sand the primed wood, wipe it clean and add an undercoat. Once that has dried, repeat again with the topcoat.
- Make sure you check the instructions on your paint to see how many coats of paint you will need for your door.
- Once you finish painting one side of the door and it has dried, turn it over and repeat the process.
- If you need to re-paint the door in the future make sure you strip all of the original paint and smooth the wood before painting again.
Conclusion
Painting a glass panel door can be a time-consuming but ultimately simple task if done correctly. Make sure you give each coat time to dry before moving on. Doors should be repainted every two to three years to keep them looking at their best.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stained-glass-glasgow/
