How to Paint Internal Doors

Internal doors are subject to a lot of wear and tear, so they’ll naturally need repainting or staining over time.

Discover how to paint interior doors in our guide, including wooden, solid-core, hard-core, composite, metal and glass designs. You’ll also find tips for painting doorways, skirting and trim to ensure the surrounding area looks as fresh as the newly painted door.

What you’ll need

• PPE (goggles, mask, gloves, overalls)

• Dust sheets

• Masking tape

• Screwdriver

• Sugar soap (or mild household detergent)

• Cloth or sponge

• Sandpaper or electric sander

• Paint application equipment (brushes, rollers, trays)

• Primer (optional for most surfaces except laminate)

• Interior trim paint or wood stain in your chosen shade and finish

The best paint for internal doors

Explore the best interior trim paint for internal doors at Dulux Decorator Centre. We stock premium paints from top trade brands with products suitable for wood, solid-core, hollow-core, composite, metal and glass. Each material requires a specialist paint, so it’s essential to choose the right option for the job.

Wooden doors

Solvent-based paint like Dulux Trade Eggshell is the ideal choice for wooden internal doors. These paints are self-undercoating, so there’s no need for primer. Our selection of interior wood paint includes various colours and finishes, from high gloss to satin and eggshell.

Composite doors

Solid-core and hollow-core doors, also known as composite doors, are made of laminated wood veneer, so they require different treatment than natural wood. Solvent-based paint is best for composite internal doors, such as Dulux Trade Satinwood. It’s also recommended that you use a specialist primer for composite doors to help the paint adhere to the surface.

Metal doors

Dulux Trade High Gloss is an excellent option for metal doors, providing a durable, high-shine finish. The self-undercoating formula means no primer is needed, letting you paint straight onto the surface after sanding and cleaning. Find colours to complement any other metal trim in the room.

Choosing interior door colours

When it comes to choosing interior door paint colours, the options are endless. Neutral shades like white and cream will complement most rooms while painting interior doors black makes a dramatic statement.

Bright tones can make the rest of the room’s décor pop, while wood stains are more subtle than paint and enhance the natural wood colour. No matter your chosen colour, we recommend matching the doors to the door frames, skirting and other interior trim for a coherent look throughout the space.

A step-by-step guide to painting interior doors

From preparation to sanding, cleaning, priming and painting, follow these steps to get the best finish on your paint job.

Step 1: Prepare the door and surrounding area

• Lay down dust sheets or old newspapers to protect the flooring while painting.

• Remove any door hardware, such as handles and hooks.

• Apply masking tape to areas you don’t want to paint, such as the hinges and door frame, to protect them from bleeding or splashes.

Step 2: Clean and sand the door

• If the door is already painted, sand off the old paint first.

• For bare wood, a light sanding is required to roughen up the surface.

• Clean the door to remove any dust or debris, using sugar soap or a mild detergent, water and a cloth.

• Rinse with clean water and leave to dry.

Step 3: Prime the door (composite only)

• Priming is an optional step for wood and metal doors, as most interior trim paint is self-undercoating. Always check the label first in case a primer is required, and choose one suitable for the door material.

• To help the paint stick to composite doors, apply a specialist primer, like Dulux Trade Ultra Grip Primer.

• Allow at least 16 hours for the primer to dry before painting.

Step 4: Paint the door

• Start by painting any hard-to-reach areas on the door, such as the edges, corners, and recessed panels, with a small paintbrush.

• Using a roller or large paintbrush, apply the first coat to the rest of the door and leave to dry for 4-6 hours.

Step 5: Apply a second coat

• Once dry, a second coat of paint helps achieve the desired opacity, colour and finish.

• Leave to dry before re-installing any door hardware and removing masking tape.

• Repeat these steps for any other internal doors around the property to refresh them as required.

Now that the internal doors look like new, why not freshen up the skirting and trim? Our guide teaches you how to paint skirting and trim to add the finishing touches to any room.