Painting Interior Door Frames

Painting interior door frames can be an easy project.....if you know how. Setting up the job properly & having the right painting materials is key. Painting interior (or exterior) door frames is a project you can do yourself......if you know the steps. Here's what you need to know:

* Before you start painting the door frames, remove the door from the door frame. This will give you a better overall finished job. Don't forget to remove the hinges from the door frame & the door strike that the door latches into: be careful when removing so you don't chip the paint or pull up any bits of wood.

* Caulk the door trim edges of your door frames (if this is a first time painting). Caulk any & all edges of trim, casings, door stops, door jamb connections, etc.. Do not leave any line uncaulked (no matter how tight it looks). Before you start your painting, also caulk the top of the header trim (this will prevent any unwanted "guests") & the side trim that connects to the sheetrock.

* Fill all nail holes on door frames (jambs) & casing trim. This can be done two ways: you can caulk these holes....or....use wood putty then sand when dry. Most people caulk the holes then wipe off with finger....this is a quick way to do it if you have lots of door frames to do....but the overall paint finish of the door frames will not come out as nice-looking as using the wood putty process as you can see very small impressions of where the nail holes are since the caulking has a tendency to push into the nail holes when you wipe it off.

* Using wood putty takes longer (for covering the nail holes) but your project will look way better. Make sure you sand the wood putty before painting though. You could also use "spackle" but I would not recommend this as spackle dries rough & pourous looking & the paint "takes" to the spackle areas different than the rest of the frame/casing areas (meaning....you will see exactly where your spackle areas are when you finish painting.....not good).

* Lightly sand the door frame & wipe down. Now you are ready to apply the primer (if this is a first time painting). Apply one coat of primer & let dry. Be careful around the door hinge cut-outs & the strike plate cut out as you do not want any primer overage to run down the frame.

* You're ready to apply the first coat of finish paint to the door frames but......there's one thing I want you to do first. Have you ever heard of "flotrol" before? I didn't think so. Flotrol is a product you put in your finish paint before painting the door frames. Flotrol will make your paint "blend" in better & not show the paint "strokes" as much. I've used this product for years & it makes the door frames look better when you're painting them.

* Put a little "flotrol" in your finish paint (make sure the flotrol is conducive to/with whatever type of finish paint you are using....if you have questions, ask). There's directions on how much to use on the container. Mix it in & apply your first coat of finish paint (if this is a first time painting) to the door frames. Let dry.

* Lightly sand this first coat of finish paint with very fine sand paper. Now apply the second coat of finish paint. Make sure you use a nice tapered paint brush for applying the paint. Be careful around the door hinges & strike plate area as previously explained.

* If you are just re-painting your door frames, you will only need to apply one coat of finish paint (if you are using the same color as the old paint finish) but use the flotrol OK? Do a quick check on the overall condition of the door frames/trim, & caulk or putty as needed. Lightly sand door frame & trim before painting.

* Make sure you remove the existing door from the door frame (if you are re-painting) & remove the hinges & strike plate. You could leave the door up without removing it but then you have to paint around the hinges/strike plate (or mask off the hinges/strike plate) & it's very difficult to apply the paint without hitting the door or properly finishing off the hinge side of the door frame. Your painting project will turn out better if you remove the door etc. especially if you are not a pro.

* Take your time, do a good job, have a game plan for your project, & you are set to go. Painting interior (or exterior) door frames can be fun & easy to complete....if you know how.....and now you do!

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