skip to main content

painting steel front door

14 years ago

My primed steel front door was installed late fall and wasn't painted for a couple years. Then I slapped a coat of white on it, not removing the brass hardware (because I didn't know how to!). another year and small dots of rust started showing at the bottom edge. also, the magnetic hook for the door decoration pulled off the paint, leaving rough edges.

I finally saved enough $$ to hire a professional to get it done properly. (the new color is DARK green)

I expected they would remove the hardware since it was never painted underneath. when the first coat was done and I saw the hardware wasn't removed, I called the owner and he told me they 'don't usually' remove it but paint around the hardware and asked me if the painter got any paint on the hardware.

also, the area of pulled paint where the magnet was doesn't look like it was sanded; still bumpy. which makes me wonder if the door was sanded at ALL, especially the dots of rust at the bottom. Is it normal procedure to sand the surface first?(I was at work when it was done.)

there isn't any paint on the handle, but i wanted it to look crisp and fresh and it doesn't. at one corner of the lockset you can see the smallest bit of white and there is a very thin line of white showing at the bottom of the door adjacent to the rubber thing under the door. also, in two places the 2nd coat looks thin.....kind of a brush stroke mark.

And they didn't leave me the can of leftover paint.

when I chose the color, the owner said it's a popular color and they 'keep it on the shelf' so it is definitely available. does that mean he used an open can from another job so had nothing to leave me?

At the least, I think the door's going to need another coat of paint to correct the 'thin' spots and the white line.

any feedback is appreciated from the true painting pros out there! many thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

paintguy22
14 years ago
All your complaints really sound legit and the painters should address all of them to make you happy. I prefer to remove hardware but I guess some guys don't. It doesn't really matter....getting the door to look good no matter how you get there is what is important. The door should be clean and any rough spots smooth by sanding. Also, rusty areas should be treated with a primer designed for rust or those spots will just come back. They should also leave you touch up paint at your request.
kayakluv
Original Author
14 years ago
paintguy, thanks so much for your input.
now I feel I have a leg to stand on when I point out what I'm unhappy with. hopefully they will be truthful about the prep they performed. certainly if the 'pulled paint' area had been sanded it would be smooth, correct?
Related Discussions
Painting a pre-primed steel exterior door
Q
Comments (2)
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.
...See More
painting a steel entry door; recommend removing window frame?
Q
Comments (2)
I have painted several steel doors and never removed the moulding and glass. Why ask for problems? A steady hand keeps the paint where it is supposed to go, and a quick rag or your clean finger removes any that may go astray.
...See More
Replacing Exterior Windows & Painting Front Door.
Q
Comments (5)
@Windows on WashingtonLtd and @grafefruit1_ar Ideas on layout of new windows? Stick with casements? Double hung? The large front window is one large framed opening with a double casement, a picture window, a double casement. The sections on either side of the fixed section look different because of window screens. Here's a close up: Altogether it's about 10.5' x 5' of single pane steel casement loveliness *insert eye roll*. You both make a good point about vinyl. When we bought our home 21 years ago, there was no vinyl that would have looked nice enough to use on the front of the house. The choices were pretty much Anderson or Marvin wood windows. Vinyl has come such a long way in terms of both quality and looks. The contractor that did all the windows also built our great deck, and helped us remodel our family room: contacted him about our current kitchen remodel. We had a good conversation about it and asked me to email him the plans. I did. Never heard back. Called and texted again, never heard back :-( Very disappointed. Thank you for your feedback
...See More
Painting door step and front door
Q
Comments (15)
The colour 'milkyway' in the below link isn't too far from my vinyl colour. Perhaps the green for the door and the brownish colour for the treads? I'll do the back in white as that is a good idea, but I appreciate the green is rather bold. I personally don't mind, but ideally a few other people would like it too! Benjamin Moore
...See More
paintguy22
14 years ago
Well, it depends on how rough that area was. Usually, I just sand with a sanding block...any real rough areas may require actual sandpaper or an orbital sander...sometimes you may even need to patch the area to get it to blend in. They may tell you that the door was sanded, but that area needed special attention which wasn't included in the bid or something.
kayakluv
Original Author
14 years ago
right. I certainly won't use that magnetic hook again..tho I can't think of many options to hang a seasonal decoration. can a door knocker be attached to a steel door or only to wood? I've seen a suction type hook but again, I don't want to ruin the paint.
paintguy22
14 years ago
I have seen people use big plastic hooks to hang wreaths and stuff on. I'm not sure where you get them, but they hang perfectly over the top of the door so that the door will still close. It depends on what the core of the door is made of if you want to actually screw something onto the door....most have a styrofoam core or something, so that wouldn't work.
sofaspud
14 years ago
Agree with paintguy. Even if the painter comes back and thoroughly sands those rust spots to where no rust is visible, if he/she doesn't prime with a good rust preventative primer, the spots will come back fairly quickly.
bl_pickle
14 years ago
Do not use the suction cups things to hang a wreath. I used one on my dark green steel door, and it left a light green ring where it had pulled a little paint off. I used a metal knocker and it went on just fine on my steel door. Good luck with getting the painters to make the job right.

Related Stories

CURB APPEAL 5 Bright Palettes for Front Doors

By Jennifer Ott Design

Splash bold green, blue, orange or red on your front door, then balance it with a more restrained hue on the rest of the house

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Black

By Jennifer Ott Design

Love the idea of a black front door? Here are 8 exterior palettes to make it work

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Green

By Jennifer Ott Design

Fresh, fun and a pleasant surprise on a front door, green in subtle to strong shades brings energy to home exteriors

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Orange

By Jennifer Ott Design

Bring high energy and spirit to your home's entryway with a vibrant shade of orange on the front door

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Bright Red

By Jennifer Ott Design

Welcoming and intense, a red front door kicks up a home's entryway and is impossible to miss

CURB APPEAL Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Yellow

By Jennifer Ott Design

Bring a burst of eternal sunshine to your home's entryway with an invigorating yellow front door

COLOR Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Purple

By Jennifer Ott Design

From grapelicious to lavender, a front door cloaked in the color of royalty might just reign supreme in the neighborhood

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Blue

By Jennifer Ott Design

Who knew having the blues could be so fun? These 8 exterior color palettes celebrate sunny-day skies to electric nights

MOST POPULAR How to Choose a Front Door Color

By Vanessa Brunner

If choosing a door paint isn't an open-and-shut case for you, here's help

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Planning: How to Choose a Front Door

By Vanessa Brunner

Wood, Fiberglass or Steel? Find the Right Material for Your Entry Door

Sponsored

Castle Wood Carpentry, Inc

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

Bedroom makeover - help please!

15

What color should we paint an adjoining bedroom to coordinate?

3

Help! Need advice

1

new build: Paint dilemma

2

living room accent wall color.

0