How to paint interior doors without removing old paint

After prolonged use, the paint on wooden doors becomes dull or cracked, and also loses its attractive shine. The solution to this problem is simple: you just need to paint the canvas again. However, if the old layer of paint has not peeled off, it is not worth removing it completely. It is difficult to do this with sandpaper; there is always a risk that you will simply ruin the surface and leave dents and scratches on it. Therefore, it is better to paint the door with a second layer, following several important rules.

Painting wooden doors over old paint: features of painting over an old layer

• Don't forget about preparation. Under the first coat of paint, the surface of the door leaf may appear perfectly smooth. However, it probably has dents or other defects. Therefore, before applying the second layer, the door must be treated with a primer.
• Be careful when choosing materials. Some paints simply do not combine with each other and therefore it will not work to apply one of them on top of the previous one.
• Use proper painting technique. Interior doors have a rather complex structure, so you will have to work by combining different techniques and painting tools.

Paste over

Film

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to update the appearance of a door is with self-adhesive film. It is easily applied to smooth, non-relief surfaces, hiding most minor imperfections. The range of colors and patterns is huge, you will definitely find exactly what you need. The film can even be marker or slate, instead of paint.

You don’t have to cover the entire door with film, but rather cut out various details and shapes, as in the photo below. Children will really like this kind of creativity, which means it’s an excellent solution for decorating a nursery on their own.

Wallpaper

You can cover the door with regular wallpaper, especially if you want to “hide” it in the wall, and you just have a roll left. A door covered with wallpaper with a contrasting pattern can become an interesting accent. The only negative is the fragility of this coating.

Photo wallpaper

Photorealistic images can be sold both on wallpaper paper and in the form of self-adhesive film. Separately, it is worth noting here images with perspective, which make you believe that behind the door is a picturesque road to the mountains or a cozy street with a cafe. Such wallpapers also visually increase the space of the room.

Interior stickers

Vinyl stickers will help hide minor surface imperfections - dents, scratches, stains. They have a structure dense enough for this. Another advantage of interior stickers over the same self-adhesive is the possibility of reusable use: the sticker will not leave a mark and can move with you from one rented apartment to another.

What paint to paint interior doors over old paint

The answer to this question is especially important, because the quality of the paint and varnish materials will determine how good the wooden door will ultimately look. The following options are considered the most common.

• Acrylic enamels. They are made on a water basis, do not have an unpleasant odor and dry instantly. The palette comes in hundreds of shades, so you can even use exotic colors. However, it is important to consider: to prevent the paint from wearing out over time, it will need to be covered with a layer of parquet varnish.
• Alkyd enamels. This option is the cheapest and is suitable not only for wood, but also for fiberboard and chipboard. Among the main disadvantages of the coating are the average strength of the film, long drying time and a rather strong unpleasant odor. But enamels have a wide variety of colors and are suitable for creating glossy surfaces.
• Tinting paints. They are of excellent quality and give the wood pleasant shades, but they can only be used if the doors are painted as the first layer.

You can also use colored glazes and varnishes when painting yourself. They are suitable for painting varnished surfaces that do not accept other types of paint. It is important to remember that glazes should only be used if there are no chips or serious damage to the surface of the door.

Select or draw moldings

This classic element makes the door more elegant. If yours already has moldings, paint them a color different from the base one. However, if there are no moldings, you can stick them on or even paint them.

Painting interior doors: choosing a color

The palette of modern paints and varnishes is so wide that it includes a variety of shades. So the apartment owner can decide for himself what color to paint the interior doors. However, before starting work, it is worth considering that:

• when applying several layers, the shade can vary greatly;
• some colors do not match each other;
• It is worth choosing a specific color based on the design features of the apartment.

If you decide to paint the interior door yourself, choose a shade based on the manufacturer’s catalog. There the options will be presented in the most accurate form.

How to achieve the effect of aging canvas

To achieve the effect of aging the canvas, it is necessary to resort to a special complex technology, described in detail below:

• The prepared door leaf is subjected to rough mechanical action using metal brushes with hard, sharp bristles. It is recommended to use a tool to remove rust from steel parts.
• The plane of the canvas is primed for better adhesion of the paint and varnish composition to the wood.

• It is almost impossible to paint every groove of such a door after brushing using standard brushes. In this regard, the substance is applied using a spray gun. To avoid damage to adjacent surfaces, it is recommended to carry out this work outdoors or in a technical room.
• When the paint has polymerized, the surface is primed again, and the artist applies a layer of patina with a brush, most often a gray metallic color.

• After the patina has dried, the surface is re-processed with sandpaper. To avoid complete removal of only the applied paint, it is necessary to do this work by hand.

• When the master achieves the desired effect, grinding stops.
• Excess dust is removed from the plane of the treated canvas.
• The surface is wiped with damp cloths and dried.
• At the final stage, transparent varnish is tightly applied to the door to achieve durability during use of the material.

Aged door designs look ideal in interiors decorated in country or loft style, emphasizing the texture of natural wood, as well as a unique original appearance.

Despite the fact that painting doors yourself is a complex technological process, every property owner can do this work with their own hands. To do this, you only need to follow the technological map, as well as the presence of a small amount of specialized tools.

Is it possible to repaint interior doors in a different color: material compatibility

It is possible to repaint most interior doors made of wood, but you should first check with what material the first layer of coating was applied. This is important because some varnishes and paints are not compatible with each other, so you cannot combine them on the same surface.

• Polyurethane and epoxy dyes contain aggressive components, so they are not recommended to be applied over nitro paints. Before using them, be sure to use a layer of primer.
• Alkyd compounds can be applied over any other coatings, since they do not have toxic properties.
• Vinyl chloride paints (made from chlorinated rubber compounds) can be applied over silicate, epoxy and acrylic coatings.

Silicate paints cannot be combined with any of the coatings. Therefore, they are recommended to be used only separately, and not applied over the old coating. Ideally, for the job you need to choose the same paint that was used when first processing the door leaf.

Pros and cons of the material

Fiberboard is a popular type of raw material from which furniture and interior doors are created. Hardboard is obtained after pressing waste from the wood processing industry. The material is based on environmentally friendly shavings and wood chips. Products are treated with fungicides and antiseptics against insects and fungi.

The surface of door panels made of fiberboard is inconspicuous, so veneering or lamination technology is often used to make it decorative. After the procedure, the structure visually resembles the material from which the top layer was taken. Advantages of raw materials:

• Durability. If you follow the operating rules and timely care, hardboard will last 15-20 years.
• Soundproofing. High noise-reducing properties will protect you from noise.
• Strength. Models marked “ST” were reinforced with special fastening resins and stabilizing mixtures, which were added to the composition.
• Low price. Even the most expensive fiberboard door is cheaper than the solid wood option.

Fiberboards without a protective and decorative coating are afraid of moisture. If properly primed and painted, the structure will withstand direct exposure to water without deformation or cracking. Violation of the application and drying technology will negatively affect the performance of the hardboard door.

Design without decoration Source doorchange.ru

Fiberboard models without veneer or laminate are very porous, which increases the consumption of raw materials. Manufacturers impregnate the front parts of structures with a decorative coating with rosin. The oily film repels water and enamels based on it.

Repainting interior doors: features of working with different surfaces

If you want to update the coating and paint your interior doors yourself, pay attention to the type of surface you will be working with. Previous coverage may be:

• varnished;
• colorful.

Depending on this, you will have to choose a specific option for applying paint as a second layer.

Painted doors

This version of the door leaf will be the easiest to work with. You just need to choose the right paint option that will match the previous coating. You will also need to prime the door before applying a new layer of material to it. For this purpose, it is recommended to use special automotive primers that require less time to harden.

After the surface has become smooth, it should be sanded with fine sandpaper. Then a new layer of paint begins to be applied to the old one. It is better to carry out the work in several stages, after each you will have to wait some time until the material dries.

Lacquered doors

It is more difficult to work with this type of door leaf, since almost any defects remain visible on it. Experts do not recommend that owners of such interior doors re-varnish them. It is better to immediately cover the surface with tinting paint or glaze. The result will only be better, and much less time will be spent.

If you decide to reuse the varnish, pay special attention to the selection of putty. With its help, you will have to try to make the wooden door perfectly smooth and uniform. True, you shouldn’t count on a result close to the factory one. Practice shows that even the use of putties with different shades does not hide all the defects present on the surface of the old coating.

What if the door is made of laminated chipboard (or MDF)?

For doors made of chipboard, MDF and other materials, the technology will be the same. The difference is that you don’t need to use a hairdryer or solvent - you have to use a sander. The only caveat is that you should not carefully sand off the entire coating completely. It is enough to make it rough. Since the laminate is plastic, it is necessary to select a paint (and primer) that is suitable for painting this type of plastic. If the door was covered with thin melamine paper, it will still have to be removed completely.

How to repaint interior doors with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

If you are interested in how to paint interior doors with your own hands gray or any other shade, use step-by-step instructions from experts. However, do not forget the result of the work will depend on how high-quality tools and paint materials you used.

Tools

One paint brush will not be enough to complete the painting of the doors. You will need at least two options of different sizes. You will also have to stock up on more serious tools:

• roller - ideally polyamide, fur or polyacrylic, perfect for making a new layer over the old paint on panel doors;
• sandpaper (preferably fine);
• putty knife;
• masking tape.

If you have a spray gun or a hair dryer, you will be able to complete the work in a much shorter time. So it’s worth thinking about where to get such equipment, at least for rent.

Painting schemes

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

There are two schemes for painting interior doors. The choice of a specific option depends on which model is installed in your home: panel or panel. Working with the shield version is much easier. In this case, painting the doors takes place in three stages:

• paint is applied from the top corner in the transverse direction;
• the second time the layer is applied in the longitudinal direction;
• The third layer is placed in the same way as the first: from the top corner and in a crosswise direction.

It is more convenient to paint the panel model with a roller. This way you will definitely avoid the appearance of brush marks. It is also important to remember: painting interior doors is done with gradual application of layers. You will have to wait until the first layer has dried, and only then proceed to the next stage of work.

As for paneled doors, they are more difficult to handle due to the presence of decorative elements. In this case, a new layer is first applied over the old paint in all recesses and grooves. This part of the work is done with a brush. After this, the remaining sections of the door leaf are processed with a roller to save time.

Stages of work

In order not to forget anything and not to damage the canvas, do-it-yourself interior door restoration and painting is carried out in strict accordance with generally accepted technology. The work must include the following mandatory steps.

1. The door is removed from its hinges. Only in this case will it be possible to carefully process all parts of the canvas and make the second layer of paint uniform.
2. Handles and other fittings are unscrewed. You can skip this step, but then painting the surface will be more difficult. If you don't want to unscrew the hinges and other metal parts, you may want to apply masking tape to them to avoid getting paint on them.
3. The surface of the door is washed and dried. If necessary, the canvas can also be degreased so that the paint lays on it as evenly as possible.
4. External door defects are eliminated. Cracks, chips, and dents should be removed using fine sandpaper. Try to make the interior door as smooth as possible.
5. A specific type of paint is selected. For indoor work, it is better to use water-based paints and varnishes, then there will definitely not be an unpleasant odor in the room.
6. Primer is applied. This is done to ensure that the finishing layer of paint is extremely even.
7. Final painting. It is performed in several layers according to your desire (usually homeowners opt for the 3-4 layer option). To reduce the waiting time while layers of paint dry, you can speed up the process by using a hair dryer.

Like interior door design, DIY painting gives you a lot of leeway. You can choose a suitable color, varnish the canvas or use other decorative options. The main thing is to follow the technology and not rush, so as not to spoil the final result.

Required Tools

After choosing the color and paint, you need to purchase tools. These include materials that will be needed to prepare the door for painting and directly for the painting procedure.

Necessary tools for work:

• wide brushes;
• thin brushes for hard-to-reach places;
• rollers with a pile of at least 5 mm;
• paint cuvette;
• rubber and metal spatula;
• screwdriver;
• sanding machine or sandpaper;
• construction hair dryer or blowtorch;
• masking tape.

When working with new and old canvas, it is necessary to follow the correct sequence of actions and painting technology.

Useful tips for beginners

When it becomes clear to you where to start painting interior doors with your own hands, you can show a little imagination and try to make the canvas as suitable as possible for the interior of the apartment. Also, to make your work easier, listen to useful recommendations from professionals.

• Before work, soak your brushes in a tray to prevent excess hairs from falling out when painting.
• While working, place the door on four stools: in a horizontal position, you will be able to avoid drips and unsightly stains on the surface.
• If drips do appear during painting, they should be removed with a sponge and then walked over the surface with a roller.

While working, try to protect the door surface from dust and other small particles. Otherwise, unsightly marks will appear on the paint, which will be very difficult to get rid of. To avoid such problems, it is better to carry out painting work in a workshop, and not on the street or in a regular living room, where there is always a possibility of contaminants.

painting

Restoring a door is a great opportunity to show off your artistic talent! Let the door be decorated with landscapes, story scenes or subtle patterns. Handmade always looks expensive and elegant. If you really like this option, but you don’t know how to draw, you can hire a professional.