Fiberglass doors are preferred by both homeowners and builders because of their strength, thermal efficiency, and resistance to decay, corrosion, and termite attacks. However, a general complaint that people have with fiberglass doors is their aesthetics. Most people prefer the aesthetic appeal of natural wooden grain appearing on their doors, and that is not visible in fiberglass doors. Fortunately, it is always possible to paint fiberglass doors in the color of your choice. Now, let’s get to the details of how to paint fiberglass doors – what you should know and more.
Preparation
Usually, people prefer painting their fiberglass doors, and before so doing, they need to have the door prepared. This will means your new paint job will last longer and also come out looking much better.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing your door for painting:
1. Clean the door: To clean the exterior of a door, begin by detaching the door and any of the accessories that connected to it, like handles and kick plates. Wash your door with warm water and mild washing solution, making sure to remove all dirt from the surface of the door. Then rinse the door using water, and ensure that the surface is dry.
2. Sand the door: Sand the front door lightly, so that the entire glossy surface of the door is removed. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand it along the grain of the door. Then, remove the dust or debris on the surface with a wet cloth and allow to fully dry.
3. Repair any damage: Fill up any gaps or holes with an ideal fiberglass fixing material following the manufacturer’s guide on how best to do it. Wait for the repair material to dry.
4. Apply primer: Using a brush or roller, cover your door with a high-quality, oil-based primer. This will give your paint much better adhesion, and it will last longer. At this step, wait until the primer fully dries so that we can move on to the next step.
Choosing the Right Paint
Now it’s time to decide which type of paint you want on your door.
Here are some factors to consider when selecting a paint for your fiberglass door:
1. Type of paint: When it comes to painting fiberglass doors, there are two categories of paint: oil-based paint and water-based (latex) paint. The use of oil-based paint gives a better hue and better adhesion and is more resistant, but it takes longer to dry and is more challenging to wash off. Water-based paint, however, is easier to apply as well as clean but may not last as long as oil-based paint.
2. Color: When selecting the color of the paint for your door, choose one that will closely blend with the exterior of your home and the surrounding vegetation. Subtle and plain colorations will make your door standout in comparison to deep and dark ones. When choosing a color for your front door, pay attention to the trim and siding of your home.
3. Finish: When choosing the paint for your fiberglass door, there are a number of different finishes that you can use, which include matte, satin, and also semi-gloss.
Painting the Door
To paint your door, follow these steps to achieve a smooth, even finish:
1. Cover the surrounding area: Make sure to cover your floors, walls, and any other surfaces with drop clothes or plastic sheets.
2. Apply painter’s tape: To remain protected from areas of the home that are off limits for painting, use painter’s tape.
3. Paint the door: Don’t use thick brush strokes. Instead, use a good brush or a roller and make sure this is done smoothly, not applying too much pressure. When painting, it is advisable to do it along the direction of the grain of the door. The first layer has to dry up completely before you can put the next and subsequent layers. To a paint a door so that it’s smooth and even, you should paint it at least twice.
4. Allow the paint to dry: Adhere to guidelines on dry time for the best results This may take several hours or through the night, depending on the type of paint you are using.
5. Reattach hardware: After you paint, replace any doorknob handles, kick plates, or any other hardware that you removed prior to painting.
The good news is that the process of painting your fiberglass door is very economical and practical, and it provides you with the look you desire for the exterior of your home. If you are able to follow these steps, you should be able to keep your paint job looking good for many years. So why not try it now and see how effective it is to have the new coat of paint to your already existing door!
