Here’s a common question we get about entry doors: “Can I paint fiberglass doors?” The reasons vary from one customer to the next. Some customers get their finished doors and realize that the look is ever so slightly off from what they wanted.
Others might choose to paint (or repaint) their doors because their preferred color wasn’t available as a pre-finish option for their door.
CAN I Paint Fiberglass Doors?
The short answer is: “Yes.” You CAN paint fiberglass doors to change their appearance and bring them more in line with your preferences.
However, it’s not as simple as slapping paint on a roller and slathering it across your door. There’s a process to follow if you want to achieve optimal results.
Does Karoly Windows & Doors Paint Fiberglass Doors?
No. We do not paint doors as part of our installation process. Painting is not a service that Karoly Windows & Doors offers.
It would add a lot of time to a door installation to provide this service, which would naturally mean increased costs and installation delays for our customers. So, we don’t do full-on painting (we may do some touch-up for pre-finished doors to fix minor paint chips or scuffs from shipping).
However, since we know that some homeowners might want painted fiberglass doors, we thought it would be a good idea to share some of the basics about how to paint fiberglass doors and some common pitfalls to avoid.
How to Paint Fiberglass Doors
Step 1: Take the Door Down
For optimal results, you should take the door down so you can perform the following steps more easily. It also allows you to bring the door inside so you can paint it without having to worry too much about bugs, dirt, and debris sticking to your freshly-painted door before it dries.
If you’re worried about leaving the doorway open for a long period of time, you could leave the door on its hinges up to the point where you start sanding or priming it. Alternatively, you can erect a temporary barrier. If you have a secondary screen door, you can also leave it shut and locked while you work on the main door.
You CAN just leave the door on its hinges, but be aware that could make it more difficult to achieve a smooth, consistent finish.
Step 2: Remove the Door’s Hardware
Start removing the door hardware: Locks, handles, chains, and (if you took the door down) hinges. This helps get your door hardware out of the way so that you can more easily sand, prime, and paint your door completely. It also helps avoid getting grit and paint stains on the hardware.
Step 3: Cover Any Glass Panels
If your door has a glass insert in it, be sure to cover the glass completely with tarps, thick newspaper, or other materials. This will help to keep sanding dust or accidental paint droplets and spills from staining the glass.
Securing the glass covering with painter’s tape can help you avoid leaving excessive adhesive on the glass or the fiberglass when you remove it.
Step 4: Sand the Door Down
To ensure that the primer (and the subsequent layers of paint) stick to the surface of your door, you should sand the door very lightly with a 400-grit piece of sandpaper or a sanding sponge. This fine grit lets you roughen the door’s surface, but makes the roughening slight enough to not be noticeable once you’ve painted your door.
Once you’re done sanding the door, take a dampened cloth or rag and wipe away any remaining dust particles.
Step 5: Apply Your Primer
Choose a primer for your door and apply it in a smooth, even coat. This underlays your future paints and helps their colors come through more clearly regardless of the base color of the door.
Here, you’ll want a water-based bonding primer that is formulated to stick to hard-to-paint surfaces. While latex-based primers can work, they sometimes fail to adhere properly and may peel.
When selecting a primer, be sure to ask an expert which primers work best for fiberglass and what paints pair well with the primer you plan to use. This can help ensure you get better results from your DIY door painting project.
Advice on how to actually apply primer will vary depending on who you ask, but the typical recommendation is to use a high-density foam roller. Start with a thin coat, let it dry, then apply another coat until you have a smooth finish.
Be sure to get all sides of the door to get a consistent look. The same goes for when you want to paint the door later.
After putting on the second or third coat of primer and letting it cure, use a 220 grit sanding block to lightly pass over the primer. The goal isn’t to rub away the primer, but to eliminate any bumps or brush marks that might have been left by the priming process.
Step 6: Apply Your Paint
Here’s the meat and potatoes of the process: the actual painting of your fiberglass door!
Take your paint, preferably an acrylic latex or urethane enamel that pairs well with whichever primer you used, and stir the paint thoroughly. You want to ensure that it’s well mixed to avoid color differences in the paint being applied to your door.
If your door has recessed details or panels, paint the recessed portions first. Use a paint brush lightly coated with paint if your roller cannot fit the recesses. Then, paint the raised panels and the vertical stiles.
Here, using a roller can help ensure that your paint is applied evenly. Once you’ve finished the first coat, put any excess paint in your paint tray back in the paint can and seal it, clean your brushes/rollers, and let the first coat dry.
Once the first coat has dried, inspect your results and get ready to apply the second coat. Having two thin coats of paint helps ensure a more consistent finish and reduces the susceptibility to damage.
Step 7: Let It Dry
Give the door extra time to dry fully before attempting to reattach the door hardware. This way, your paint is less likely to scrape off against the door frame.
Step 8: Re-Hang and Inspect
Once dry and re-hanged, check the door for any areas that might need a touch up: fingerprint marks, missed or discolored spots, etc. You might find it easier to notice these issues when the door’s back up in its frame.
If you spot any issues, this is your chance to touch them up for a door that looks as close to perfect as possible.
Once you’re done your inspection, reattach the hardware you removed earlier.
You should now have a beautifully-painted new front door!
Can I Get a Pre-Painted Front Door?
Yes. Some manufacturers offer ‘prefinished’ entry doors for your home so you don’t even have to paint them yourself! Instead, you can just order the pre-finished door and get it professionally installed without the hours of work and waiting for paint to dry.
One of the brands we frequently use for pre-finished doors is ProVia, a company based in Sugarcreek, Ohio. They create hand-crafted fiberglass doors featuring real Amish craftsmanship and ship out their products pre-finished.
Getting your door pre-finished takes out a lot of the guesswork from getting the perfect door for your home. However, it is important to note that pre-finished doors may be at a risk of having small paint defects that occur during shipping. It’s one of the reasons why some manufacturers ship their pre-finished doors with a paint touch-up kit to ensure that any minor imperfections can be filled in on inspection.
Want a Pre-Finished or Plain Fiberglass Entry Door?
If you’d like to get a pre-finished door that you don’t need to paint or even a standard fiberglass door that you do want to paint, reach out to Karoly Windows & Doors!
We’ll send out a window and door installation expert to consult with you about your needs and preferences to pick out the perfect door for your home. Whether you want pre-finished or plain, we can help!
