Faux Copper Front Door ?

14 years ago

The exterior of the house is almost painted and was going to replace the front door, but budget dictates I keep the one I have. We tried removing the molding on the door (hate the shape of it), but it is part of the door so had to put it back on. The door is metal and swings out for hurricain safety, so replacing the door would have had to have been a special order since they are one inch shorter and the handle is lower than a stock door, which increased the cost significantly.

To jazz the door up a bit I was thinking of giving it a faux copper look. Just finished the outside tile which is a slate look porcelain with some rust/brown, gray and beige colors and the exterior of home is painted a color called Rodeo Tan which has a slight rust tone beige.

I have started to paint the front door a bronze color and thought I'd get some green paint and rub it on the surface.

Another idea I had was to get sheets of copper and patina them with an accelerant and attach them in the three panels.

Here is a couple of photos of the door before paint and one where I have just started to paint the bronze color paint. The bronze photo is a little dark as it's still dark outside and I have a drop cloth covering the tile. I'll take more photos when the sun comes up so you can see those.

The other idea I had was to paint the door a coppery rust color, but that color is so hard to achieve and I don't want orange.

what do you think? Any ideas on how to achieve that copper look, do you think it will look ok. Thanks for your help.

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Comments (7)

paintergirl94
14 years ago
How about just doing the three panels the copper and the rest of the door black or a deep gray?
Or, how about some rosettes in the center of the panels?

If you do the copper, the art store (i.e. Michael's) sells those faux finishes as a kit, so you don't go crazy (and broke) trying to find the right color combo.
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mclarke
14 years ago
This is a very intriguing idea! Would it be possible for you to show us a photo of your house exterior? showing the whole house?
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DLM2000-GW
14 years ago
If you decide a copper finish is the way to go (and I think it's a great idea as long as it works with the rest of the exterior) then contact Modern Masters. They have a few options for metal patina that might work for you. Don't let the amount of patina they show deter you - you don't have to do any and you don't have to allow that much reaction. You can stop it where you want. I've worked with their products and once you practice on some sample pieces of wood (scrap crown molding works well) you get your own technique down and do your door. I was able to get samples from MM of several different finishes before making a decision - they were very helpful. I've used their products on interior and exterior applications with no problems.

Here is a link that might be useful: Modern Masters Metal Effects
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neetsiepie
14 years ago
Oh I think it will be awesome. I paint fountians & statues in a faux bronze/faux copper and it looks great. I always use spray paint, as it works easiest.

I tried a bazillion times to figure out the right mix and what I discovered is to paint the whole piece black first, then add the patina color of your choice. THEN add the aged copper color. If you look at patina'd pieces, the copper/bronze isn't bright it's muddied before it turns that lovely patina color. So add a bit of black to your copper color.

The molding will be a perfect spot to add your patina also. Gosh, I wish I had a door like that that I could paint! You could easily use spray paint on your door...primer first, then add the paint. Spray paint is super easy because it's easy and fast to recover where you don't like the finish. Then use several coats of clear for sealer and it'll last forever. I did a concrete dog statue that we've got in our yard about 7 years ago in this method and it's still looking great.
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bluestarrgallery
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks all, We got back too late to take a photo of the exterior of the house. The front entry has a screen covering it so the front door isn't visible when looking at the front of the house. I'll check out modern masters, the rosettes sound interesting because the top panel has a door knocker so that might balance the other two out, not sure I want rosettes, but perhaps something more geometric in shape for the middle though.

the background color I have is pretty dark so that might act as the black. I will post photos later today of the front of the house.

Thanks again.
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lukajoey
14 years ago
Just wanted to say Wow!!! I absolutely love this look!!! I can't wait to see more photos
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HU-888430803
5 years ago
Wher do get the paint?
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Faux Copper Front Door ?

Comments (7)

paintergirl94

mclarke

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DLM2000-GW

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Faux Copper Front Door ?

Comments (7)

paintergirl94

mclarke

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DLM2000-GW

neetsiepie

bluestarrgalleryOriginal Author

lukajoey

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bluestarrgallery
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