Exterior Metal Doors: How to Prime and Paint

LESLIE: Going to Florida to talk paint with Jeff. How can we help you?

JEFF: Yes, I’m having a little bit of trouble getting paint to stick to wood frames around the windows.

TOM: OK.

JEFF: And also on some of the steel doors on the outside. The sun’s really harsh on our house.

TOM: OK. If you’re having an adhesion issue, it normally starts with surface preparation. And so, what you’re going to have to do is get off all of the old paint and you’re also going to have to prime. When it comes to a metal door, it’s best to use an oil-based primer; something specialized, like Rust-Oleum, I would recommend for a metal door. For the wood inside you can use KILZ or a product similar to that. And for the best results on the inside I’d also use the oil-based KILZ versus the latex KILZ. Both of them work well but if you have a really difficult surface you’re always better using the oil-based product.

LESLIE: And there are actually additives, Jeff. If you’re looking to get rid of any brush strokes or roller marks that you might see from as you’re applying the paint or especially on trim work, there are additives called Floetrol or Penetrol – one is for interiors; one is for exteriors – which helps to sort of extend to the wet edge on the brush or roller so you don’t get those markations.

JEFF: OK. Sounds great. Thank you.