What Kind of Paint to Use on Exterior Metal Door in 2023

The exterior door is one of the major parts of the house. This can boost the look and appearance of the house. Painting a steel door, especially if it’s your main door, can give your home’s outside a much-needed facelift. Applying metal door paint, on the other hand, necessitates extra caution because the paint is not absorbed into the material like it is with wood. Usually, painting doors is not tough, but when it comes to steel doors, you have to keep several things in mind.

But the main challenge is to select the right paint for the door, there are some important criteria that exterior paint must include. Here we would mention all those criteria and some basic steps briefly to paint the exterior metal door.

What Kind of Paint to Use On Exterior Metal Door

Satin or Semi-Gloss Finish

Satin and semi-gloss paint sheens are similar and can be used on the same front door. Satin is most commonly used outside as an exterior paint sheen, and semi-gloss is used inside as an interior paint sheen.

It is better to go for a semi-gloss finish because this is both durable and appealing. Exterior paints are available in a variety of sheens, ranging from flat/matte to eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Semi-gloss is suitable for front doors because it is more resistant to wear and staining than flatter sheens.

Acrylic resin or latex-based exterior door paint with a semi-gloss finish is the most prevalent. Latex-based exterior paint is the most adaptable and widely used. It fills in major flaws on the surface of a door and prevents cracking and chipping.

When selecting a color, consider the gloss of the front door. This is the first thing people notice when they arrive at your house. All front doors draw attention to themselves, whether they are showy or neutral. Most visitors who accept your offer to enter your home want to put their best foot forward and make a positive first impression.

Water Based Formula

The paints have different kinds of formulas, water-based is one of them. When it comes to achieving a long-lasting finish, its water-based latex paint is the best. You will find it to be long-lasting and resistant to harsh elements and weather. There is no odor or toxicity confirmed.

A great all-purpose water-based paint for practically any external surface. No matter which material the wood is made of, you can use a water based formula. It provides exceptional long-term protection for external wood, lasting up to 15 years, and has all of the benefits of water-based paint, such as quick recoating and easy cleanup. This is an excellent tool for experimenting with your outside surfaces which can be tinted to any color.

Resist Corrosion

One of the most important characteristics that distinguish it as the best paint for metal garage doors is its resilience to weather. As a result, your steel gate will withstand corrosion, abrasion, and chipping with ease. And the exterior gates have to face all kinds of natural disasters, rain, sun. so if the paint is not corrosion-free, the gate will be damaged.

Drying Time

When pressed for time, revitalizing ancient and new metal doors appears difficult. However, while your hand is occupied with a rapidly drying pain, your efforts quickly lose their hue.

You may now be faced with the decision of which paint forms to use. Let us sift through your doubts. Water-based latex paints, on the other hand, are a huge time saver. It may clap for a few hours to come into contact and dry shape.

In the opposite direction is the oil-based paint. They have a thicker consistency and take longer to dry. You’d have to wait days or weeks for the fresh paint to cure completely.

Steps to Paint the Exterior Door

Step 1: Remove the Door if Possible

Remove the door from its frame for the best effects. This is optional, but it will make it easier to obtain the greatest possible finish.

Step 2: Remove the Dust and Old Paint from the Door

Make sure the surface is clean before applying the paint for a smooth finish. Clean the surface of your door thoroughly with a degreaser and a rag to remove any dirt, oil, or grime. Removing paint is optional/ If it has flaky paint on it, you’ll need to remove it with a paint stripper or a heat gun.

Step 3: Apply Primer

Even the greatest metal door paint can only go you so far if you don’t take the time to prime beforehand. A multi-surface primer will work with both water-based and oil-based paints and will provide a nice basis to work from—just follow the recommendations on the package and apply enough coats.

Step 4: Apply the Paint

Apply one coat of exterior paint to the flat portions of the door with a paint roller, and use an angular sash brush on any paneled areas or corners. Use external paint, such as exterior satin or semi-gloss paint. It is better to apply at least two coats for having a better color texture and smooth finish.

Final Words

Painting the exterior door is an easy job but it takes patience. Because it is a very time-consuming task. Once you are done applying the paint on the surface, you have to wait at least 7-8 hours to recoat the door. To start the work keeping time on hand. Always try to buy the finish for the exterior door.