Repainting an external door: steps, paint choices and costs

You can repaint a timber exterior door yourself if the surface is in good condition and you can follow the door and paint instructions. Deep damage, an unknown finish or problems with the door's fit need assessing before painting begins.

This guide's process applies to a painted timber surface. Metal, composite and various veneered constructions may require different treatments. Also check the manufacturer's terms before painting a door under warranty.

How do you repaint a factory-painted exterior door?

Identify the existing finish and check which system the door manufacturer permits. A glossy surface normally needs cleaning and dulling according to instructions, but the need for a special primer depends on the specific combination of surface and new paint.

Alcro's advice for exterior doors covers industrially coated surfaces separately. This is a reason to check the surface, not to use the same primer on every factory-painted door.

Work from a clean, sound surface to a continuous paint film. Complete the preparation before applying topcoat.

1. Clean and protect. Clean according to the cleaning product's instructions, rinse where required and let dry. Protect fittings, glass, seals and adjoining surfaces.
2. Scrape and sand. Remove loose paint and dull surfaces where necessary. Remove sanding dust.
3. Repair and prime where needed. Assess damage and follow the paint system's preparation instructions for bare timber and other affected areas.
4. Apply topcoats. Follow the specified number of coats and recoating time. Two topcoats are included, for example, in Nordsjö's process for exterior doors.
5. Let dry and check operation. Check that the door opens, closes and locks without paint interfering with fittings or seals.

Plan how the entrance will function during work. If the door is removed, the opening must be protected and securable; removing every door is not automatically necessary.

Should you paint an exterior door with a brush or roller?

A small roller can be used on flat sections and a brush on mouldings and edges if the tools suit the paint. Follow the product's advice for levelling and application to avoid working paint that has begun to dry.

Choose paint explicitly suitable for the door material, existing finish and weather exposure. A tin labelled exterior wall paint is not automatically suitable for the door or its sealing surfaces.

The finish is not always semi-gloss. For example, Alcro describes both semi-gloss and dead-matt finishes in its door systems. Choose colour and sheen within a system suited to the door.

Check dark colours against the door manufacturer's conditions. SöderPort specifies particular colour and treatment conditions for its doors. This is one manufacturer's example, not a rule for every brand.

Which paint should be used on the inside of an exterior door?

Choose the inside treatment according to the door construction, existing coating and manufacturer's instructions. Do not decide solely because that side faces a room. Also check how the paint change should finish at edges and rebates.

If a brown door is to become white, establish whether it is painted, varnished or oiled. The colour change alone is not enough to choose a primer or promise a particular number of coats.

NLL's indicative labour price for a door with repairs is 2,500–4,375 SEK per door including VAT, before any applicable ROT deduction. Materials and other costs are excluded from this labour range. The quote should specify which faces, repairs and any frame work are included.

Labour per door at NLL's indicative price, with a conditional ROT example:

The ROT example covers eligible labour only. Materials and other extras are still additional. Skatteverket explains the ROT conditions; the deduction is not automatically available to every customer and every work stage.

See NLL's window and door painting and repairs for the service scope. You can also use the cost calculator for an initial cost estimate before requesting a quote.

Paint when surface, temperature and weather meet the chosen product's requirements. The door's surface temperature may differ from the air temperature. Avoid choosing the working day by the calendar alone.

Jotun's door guide reminds you to let paint dry before closing the door. Paint ready for recoating is not automatically ready to be pressed against a seal. Check the product's usage and drying information.