I just went through the same process with our front entry door. I sanded the door to get the brush marks as flat as possible, primed with an exterior latex primer (SE PrepRite) which was tinted gray because the finish paint was a slate blue.
I sanded the primer, then laid on the finish paint (exterior latex) with a small foam roller, then back brushed with a 2" Chinex brush (angled for the panels and straight edged for the rest). Mine is a six paneled door as well. The small foam roller worked in the panels as well as the flat surfaces.

Paint the panels and the edges first, then wipe off the excess that got outside the panels and around the edges with a damp rag. I let the panels dry, then I did the horizontal rails and lastly did the vertical stiles. That's the recommended procedure for painting a six paneler.

The foam roller helped get the paint on really quickly, then one or two quick brushes evened it out. Once dry, I sanded lightly and repeated the foam roller/back brush routine again. Looks really nice.

A tip - if you want to minimize the brush mark look, use satin paint instead of glossier. It will still clean up well.

You'll need a smooth, clean surface if you want beautiful results.

A Wooster Jumbo Koter on 4" frame in 3/8" nap and a good Chinex brush. Your choice of paint must be good also. For a door, I've been using SW Resilience with XIM Extender for more open time.

Be sure you wrap the roller cover with tape and remove it to pull off the lint prior to painting.

Watch the video and that will help you get it done.

Notice, there's no time for a coffee break or a phone call.:)

Michael

Here is a link that might be useful: Professional Painter/Door

I watched the video - he makes it looks easy. I wonder if I can do it so fast.

What is the purpose of back brushing? I would think it would leave brush marks.

Guess I better get started with the sanding. Ugh.

brushworks, which actual roller cover would you get with that jumbo koter to do this kind of job? I found a link with all of them listed...

Here is a link that might be useful: lots of covers

fly,

Pro-Doo Z in 3/8 nap.

bedelia, backbrushing removes the roller stipple.

Michael

I paint doors the same way except I don't mess with the backbrushing anymore. I just roll em and leave it be. The subtle stipple left behind from a 3/8" roller looks better to me than brushmarks.

Excellent, Michael--thanks!!

I was wondering about those brush marks. I think I'll skip that step also. HD, Lowes or SW do not carry any of the Jumbo koters or Chinex brushes. It's like no one has ever heard of them. I'll have to improvise.

I'm now sanding the old surface trying to get rid of the brush marks. I'm borrowing a palm sander (I think that's what it is). It took me a while to figure how to use it, but I think I got it. It's so hot out, I'm limited to my time outside since we face west.

Back to work.

bedelia, I'm going to try calling a BM store and a Miller paint (local brand) store today. Thanks for letting me know about the HD/Lowe's situation. I got my Chinex brushes at the BM store, btw, if it helps.

Flyleft - it's not to say your HD and Lowes won't have them. We live in a smaller city so they don't carry a lot that I was used to when I lived in Denver.

Good luck.

bedelia, try thepaintstore.com if you're not in a super big rush. They have the Corona Chinex and the Wooster Jumbo Koters. Pretty quick delivery and prices are pretty decent.

Got them at the Miller paint store. Can't wait to try them out :)

I sanded it down pretty smoothly, thanks.