How to Paint a Front Door

With the power of paint, you can refresh your front door and give your home a fantastic new look.

A home with a dark red-painted front door adds a pop of color to a gray-black-painted exterior. A home with a dark red-painted front door adds a pop of color to a gray-black-painted exterior.

Painting your front door a different color can completely transform your home’s aesthetic. And with the right preparation and a few key steps, it’s a project you can complete on your own in a weekend.

Follow our guide on how to paint a front door to set yourself up for success and beautify your home with premium exterior paint.

Supply Checklist: Painting a Front Door

Ready to Revamp Your Exterior Door Paint?

Once you have the painting tools and Benjamin Moore exterior paint you’ll need, follow our step-by-step guide to give your front door a fresh new look.

A person removing hardware from an exterior door in preparation for painting. A person removing hardware from an exterior door in preparation for painting.

Step 1: Prepare for Your Exterior Door Paint Project

Before you begin painting your front door, remove as much hardware as possible—just as you would when painting kitchen cabinets.

Doing so creates a flat, even work surface and protects your hardware from paint drips and spatter.

A person cleaning a black door with a white cloth. A person cleaning a black door with a white cloth.

Step 2: Clean the Front Door

Your front door probably sees a lot of traffic as people enter and exit your home, making it susceptible to all kinds of stains, from fingerprints to spilled coffee.

Since paint might not be the only thing coating the surface of your front door, it is important to clean it thoroughly before starting your project. Scrub the surfaces to remove buildup, and make sure your front door is completely dry before moving on.

A person scraping loose paint from a door. A person scraping loose paint from a door.

Step 3: Scrape Away the Old Front Door Paint and Imperfections (Optional)

Doors get a ton of use. Because of this, you may have paint that is peeling or flaking, especially around the doorjamb.

If your front door paint is peeling, you must remove the loose paint before you continue. Use a paint scraper to chip off cracking or peeling paint.

A person sanding a door. A person sanding a door.

Step 4: Sand the Exterior Door Paint

One of the most important preparation steps in this DIY project is sanding all the surfaces of your front door before you begin painting.

But before you start sanding away, be sure to select the sandpaper that will work best with the paint that was last applied to your door.

If you do not know whether your existing front door paint is oil-based or water-based, use this easy trick to find out: Dab some denatured alcohol* onto a cotton ball and then rub it on the door. If the paint comes off, it’s water-based. If it doesn’t, it’s oil-based.

If your front door paint is water-based, give it a good sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper. For oil-based front door paint, a medium-grit sandpaper (100- to 150-grit) will do the trick.

*Note: Denatured alcohol is not the same as rubbing alcohol. Look for it at home-improvement stores.

A person applying painter’s tape around a door deadbolt. A person applying painter’s tape around a door deadbolt.

Step 5: Use Painter’s Tape Before Painting a Front Door

Front doors tend to have components that are not easily removed, such as locksets and glass panes that cannot be simply taken off like a wreath. Carefully apply painter’s tape to protect these parts from paint drips and spatters.

A person rolling blue paint in a paint tray. A person rolling blue paint in a paint tray.

Step 6: Gather the Tools You’ll Need to Paint Your Front Door

To paint a perfect front door, you need the perfect tools, like high-quality Benjamin Moore brushes and rollers. A flat paintbrush is usually ideal for applying a base coat, but because doors can have all kinds of nooks and crannies, you may also need an angled brush to get into some spots.

A person brushing primer onto a door. A person brushing primer onto a door.

Step 7: Apply Primer to Your Exterior Door

A good primer will conceal your front door’s existing paint and give the new paint a surface to stick to.

Choose a primer suited to the type of front door you’re painting. We love using Fresh Start® High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer on non-metal doors to create the ideal base. For metal doors, we recommend using High Performance Acrylic Metal Primer.

Make sure the primer doesn’t pool in any areas; this can cause uneven spots on your finished door. Once you’ve primed, let the surface dry for a minimum of 24 hours.

A person brushing blue paint onto a door. A person brushing blue paint onto a door.

Step 8: Paint Your Front Door

Front door paint can be applied by brush or roller. Use an angled brush to apply paint to detailed areas. If you use a roller for larger surfaces, be sure to go back over any uneven spots with a brush to smooth out the finish.

One paint you can use for your door is Regal® Select Exterior. Trusted by generations of professional painters and homeowners, Regal Select is a durable paint that stands up to outdoor elements such as sunlight, rain, and dirt. It also has advanced alkyd-fortified technology for top-quality application and longevity.

Once the first coat of paint is on the door, let it dry for a minimum of 24 hours before applying a second coat. Again, let it dry for at least 24 hours. We recommend extra drying time if you’re experiencing humidity or other bad weather.

A soft blue-painted front door opens into a home as a woman carrying groceries walks towards it. A soft blue-painted front door opens into a home as a woman carrying groceries walks towards it.

Step 9: Reattach the Hardware to Your Freshly Painted Front Door

Once everything is fully dry, remove the painter’s tape and reattach any removed hardware. It’s time for your freshly repainted door to make its grand entrance!

Have More Questions? Visit your local Benjamin Moore store or contact Customer Support.

Frequently Asked Questions


Q. What type of paint should be used on a front door?

A. Several exterior paints are suitable for painting a front door.

We recommend using Regal® Select Exterior to paint your front door. Trusted by generations of professional painters and homeowners, Regal Select is a durable paint that stands up to outdoor elements such as sunlight, rain, and dirt. It also has advanced alkyd-fortified technology for top-quality application and longevity.



Q. Can I just paint over my front door’s current paint?

A. For best results, do not simply paint over your front door’s existing paint. Sand off any imperfections in the paint, then clean off built-up dirt or grit on the door’s surface.

Next, prime your front door before applying paint.

A good primer will conceal your front door’s old paint and give the new paint a surface to stick to.

Choose a primer suited to the type of front door you’re painting. We love using Fresh Start® High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer on non-metal doors to create the ideal base. For metal doors, we recommend using High Performance Acrylic Metal Primer.

Make sure the primer doesn’t pool in any areas; this can cause uneven spots on your finished door. Once you’ve primed, let the surface dry for at least 24 hours.



Q. How many hours does it take to paint a front door?

A. It can take at least two days to paint a front door.

After preparing your front door for painting (i.e., sanding imperfections, cleaning surfaces, and applying primer), apply two coats of paint. To ensure proper drying, let the first coat dry for 24 hours before applying the second coat.



Q. Are you supposed to paint both sides of a front door?

A. Yes, it is recommended that you paint both sides of your front door.



Q. How many gallons of paint do I need for a front door?

A. The size of the door and the type of paint you are using will determine how much paint is needed to paint your front door.

Please consult your paint product’s technical data sheet to calculate how much paint is required for your door’s square footage.



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