Summary: Learn how to paint doors and door frames, remove old paint with a hot air gun, remove old paint with chemical paint stripper and prepare the surface to paint.
Most people at some point have attempted to paint a door. When it comes to painting the most important thing to remember is the quality of the finish will depend on how thoroughly the surface has been prepared.
Remove all door furniture to prevent damage occurring when preparing the door for painting. It is possible to paint over existing paintwork, but only if it's in good condition and the thickness of the old paint doesn't make it difficult to close the door. However, it is still important to provide a key in the existing paintwork using a power sander with a fine abrasive paper.
To remove any grease, grime and even nicotine stains wash the surface with a solution of hot water and sugar soap, which is a non-caustic powder cleaner used by professional decorators as it makes repainting easier.
If removing the paint is necessary there are two ways to strip old paint from woodwork: a hot air gun or paint stripper.
Using a hot air gun softens the paint so a scraper can be used to remove it.
Hold the brush by the ferrule and only dip the brush to about one third of the bristle length.
Address the brush to the frame where the two surfaces come together and draw along the doorframe to create a very small raised line of paint.
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