7 Mistakes DIYers Make When Staining and Painting Exterior Doors

Freshening up exterior doors with a new coat of paint or stain makes for a beautiful Ontario home that’ll look as good as new. But while it can be rewarding, common mistakes can ruin the finish or shorten its lifespan.

By understanding these potential pitfalls, you can increase your chances of achieving a professional-looking result. Here’s seven common mistakes to avoid when staining or painting exterior doors.

1.  Skipping the Prep Work 

Proper preparation is the cornerstone of a successful front door painting or staining project. Neglecting this before painting exterior doors can lead to many problems, including peeling paint, uneven finishes, and a shorter lifespan for your project.

For a professional-looking result, follow these essential steps:

• Thorough Cleaning: Remove dirt, grease, and any existing grime from the door’s surface using mild detergent and water. Pay close attention to handles, locks, and other hardware when prepping for painting doors and trim.
• Sanding: Lightly sand the previously painted door to create a smooth surface for the paint or stain to adhere to. Use fine-grit sandpaper to avoid damaging the wood.
• Priming: If switching from stain to paint or vice versa, or if dealing with bare wood, apply a high-quality primer to ensure optimal adhesion and coverage.

By investing time in this step, you’ll set yourself up for success in the subsequent steps when you paint interior doors. 

2.  Using the Wrong Products 

To achieve a long-lasting and attractive finish, select the appropriate paint or stain. Using the wrong product can lead to peeling, cracking, or discoloration.

• For painting exterior doors exposed to the elements – You’ll need high-quality paint formulated to withstand harsh weather conditions like latex paint or oil-based paint. This type of paint is designed to resist fading, peeling, and cracking. 
• When painting interior doors – Opt for interior-grade paint designed for smooth surfaces, not wall paint. These paints typically offer better coverage and durability for indoor environments.

The type of stain you choose should also be compatible with your interior door wood type. For example, oil-based stains work well on hardwoods, while water-based stains are suitable for softer woods.

Image Source: Canva

3.  Ignoring Weather Conditions 

Weather plays a key role in the outcome when painting or staining doors. Unsuitable weather conditions could lead to uneven drying, peeling, or cracking. Here’s what to remember:

• Avoid painting or staining on excessively humid or rainy days. Moisture in the air can interfere with the wet paint and drying process, resulting in a poor finish. 
• Extreme temperatures, weather too hot or too cold can affect the door paint or stain’s performance.
• Always check the weather forecast and adhere to the temperature recommendations provided on your paint or stain product for the best results.

4.  Rushing the Drying Time 

You need proper drying time to achieve a flawless paint or stain finish. Otherwise, your door can have uneven colour, drips, and peeling gloss or semi gloss paint.

Each coat of door and trim paint or stain needs adequate time to dry and cure properly. This process allows the finish to harden and adhere securely to the door’s surface. Rushing this process can lead to uneven colour, drips, and a weakened finish that is more susceptible to chipping or peeling.

To achieve a professional-looking result when painting or staining, strictly follow the drying times specified on the paint or stain product label. They’re specified so you can create a durable and long-lasting finish.

5.  Poor Technique 

One look at a painted or stained door and you know if it’s painted properly or poorly. If you find streaks, drips, and uneven coverage, it’s the latter. Here’s how to avoid this:

• For a polished finish, maintain consistent and even strokes throughout the painting or staining process. Overloading the angled brush or foam roller causes drips and runs, while applying too little paint results in uneven coverage. 
• For a polished staining, follow the wood grain for a natural appearance. Avoid excessive stains to prevent a blotchy finish.

Proper application requires patience and attention to detail. Take your time and avoid rushing the process. With the right technique, you can achieve a professional-looking finish on your door.

Image Source: Canva

6.  Not Removing Hardware 

Forgetting to remove the front door hardware is another mistake that will show itself once your door painting project is finished. Painting or staining around hinges, knobs, and locks results in an unprofessional and messy finish.

To achieve a clean and polished look when painting exterior doors, remove all hardware, including door hinges, before starting. You’ll have complete access to the door’s surface, ensuring even coverage and preventing paint or stain buildup around the hardware. 

If removal is impractical, you’ll have to meticulously tape over it. Use high-quality painter’s tape and apply it carefully to protect the hardware from paint or stain. Still, removing the hardware in the entire door is still your best bet for a cleaner, more professional finish.

7.  Skimping on Quality Tools 

Using low-quality brushes or rollers will show itself on the final look of your door. It’ll appear streaky, clumpy, and unpolished. You’ll need to invest in good-quality tools to get a smooth and even finish.

For painting interior doors, opt for high-quality brushes or rollers designed for smooth surfaces. These achieve a professional-looking finish without obvious streaks or brush marks. 

When staining your door, use a paint brush specifically designed for applying stain to ensure proper absorption and prevent uneven colour. Use a tack cloth or drop cloth to remove dust and don’t cover it up for a clear coat.

Elevate Your Doors with Burano Doors 

Some doors are beyond saving, no matter how many coats of paint you apply. Skip painting exterior doors and replace them instead with reliable entry doors from Burano Doors. 

For over four decades, we’ve been Ontario’s leading provider of high-quality doors. Our 100% Canadian-made products exceed industry standards and are designed to enhance your home’s curb appeal. 

Based in Vaughan, Ontario, we offer factory-direct pricing on our customizable, affordable doors. Our commitment to exceptional customer service, professional installation, and extensive lifetime warranty sets us apart. 

Experience the Burano Doors difference and transform your home with our stylish and durable doors. Contact us today to learn more about our products and schedule a consultation.