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Painting a pre-primed steel exterior door

linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)

15 years ago

We installed a steel entrance door last summer. It came pre-painted white (or it might be pre-primed). It has a large leaded glass insert that is held in with 1 1/2" + wide white molding made of polypropylene.

What is the best kind of paint to use on both the primed metal part and the polypropylene? I tend to think oil-based for an exterior door but it would take a long time to dry on a non-porous surfaceÂ. right? How about Alkyd? Latex enamel?

The primed surface is very smooth, does this need deglossing, sanding, or priming?

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Comments (2)

paintguy22
15 years ago
Alkyd and oil based are really the same thing. I would only use an oil based paint on a steel entry door if the color was black. Choose a high quality 100 percent acrylic exterior paint in satin or better sheen. You can paint the plastic trim around the window and the door with the same paint. I would just sand the door well with a new fine or medium grit sanding block before painting. Be careful that you do not sand so hard that you remove the primer and expose bare metal.
Michael
15 years ago
When sanding metal, I suggest a 400 wet or dry block. Sand lightly as paintguy says or you'll create a need for primer.

SuperPaint works well. Roll and back brush for a smoother finish.

Michael
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