- 1). Prepare your space for painting. An indoor space is best. Painting outside, which seems like a great way to enjoy the weather while doing an 'inside' project, is not recommended. Various particles blowing in the wind may get trapped in your paint job! Use two items about waist high to lay the French door on. Sawhorses are great, but any two items that allow a door to be laid flat will work just fine. Be sure to cover those items with drop clothes if you want to protect them from paint. This also stops scratches from showing on your newly painted French doors.
- 2). Prepare your French door for primer and paint. Remove all French door hardware including hinges and door handles. Use wood filler if needed for any holes or scratches. Quickly run over the surface of the door with sandpaper. This removes surface bumps from the door. Once done with sandpaper, take a damp cloth and run that over the surface of the door. This will pick up any loose particles that may harm your new paint job. Your door is now ready for its first coat.
- 3). Paint one side of the French door with primer. Don't forget the sides of the door too! You will need at least two coats of primer for the best outcome. Allow the primer to dry between coats. Use your judgment here. If you can still easily see the prior color or stain after two coats, a third coat should be applied. When you have finished one side, flip the door over and prime the other side.
French doors have many windows per their design. This creates the dread in people when they think of painting these doors. Pay no attention to the glass when painting. Do not bother laying out endless pieces of painters tape on the glass. Go ahead and paint right on the glass. You will simply scrape the paint off the glass using a razor or similar item when your painting is complete. However, you will need to carefully watch all creases and edges in the window areas. Paint and primer loves to pool in there, which will create a less than professional appearance. Check this often while painting and remove any pooled paint. - 4). Paint the door. Use at least two coats here as well, more as needed. Don't forget the sides! Allow the paint to dry between coats. Once one side is complete, flip the door over and finish the painting.
- 5). Remove the primer and paint from the glass surfaces. Use a razor blade or a small glass scraper to scrape the paint off the glass. The paint actually comes up very easily. You can use a razor blade or even an exacto knife if areas require any detailed paint removal. If you had bothered to lay tape down first, you will still be doing this step because paint will get into the area on the glass between the wood and the tape. If this is a new French door, there is likely a film of plastic over the glass which makes this step very easy.
- 6). Hang your door. Attach all door hardware including the door knob. You may need someone to help get the door back on easily. Now you can enjoy your French door!
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