How do you paint metal door frames?

[#1]

To paint a metal door frame, start by taking some 240-grit sandpaper. Rub the chipped areas back and blend in their edges with the surrounding paint. When paint chips, it creates a hard edge perimeter where the thickness of paint has been removed. You need to soften these edges, or you'll be able to see the chipped area through your new topcoat.

Next, thoroughly clean the painting surface down with Sugar Soap.

Once clean, wipe down with fresh water to remove the residual Sugar Soap and let dry.

Now you can apply Dulux Precision primer. This is a specialty product designed for hard-to-paint surfaces. 

Once the primer has cured according to the paint can's instructions, apply a water-based enamel topcoat such as Dulux Aquanamel in your choice of colour.

As you are applying a hard-wearing enamel paint, they typically call for a finer nap roller. Something like the UNi-PRO 100mm 4mm Nap Little Ripper Microfibre Mini Roller Set would be suitable for the job. - MitchellMc

It was suggested above to use 240 grit sandpaper. I would also like to recommend using an electric sander when sanding the metal door frame. Using an electric sander will not only make sanding go faster, but it will give you a uniform finish all around. It's also a much more effective way of removing old metal paint.

If you wish to avoid brush strokes, a mini roller such as the UNi-PRO 100mm 4mm Nap Little Ripper Microfibre Mini Roller Set is a great choice. However, for a clean professional finish, the best way to repaint it is by using a paint spray gun.

Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a paint mask when working on your metal door frame.

If you want to use spray cans for the entire project, I suggest having a look at the White Knight Rust Guard 400g Grey SLS Etch Primer Spray Paint. You can use any of the Rust Guard topcoats on this primer. 

If you decide to spray paint the lot, I suggest making sure to mask the areas you want protected from over spay by using drop sheets and masking tape. Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to paint window frames. - EricL

[christopherbmas]

Hi Eric,

Just to confirm. With the electric sander, would you recommend sanding back the whole frame and removing all paint or just doing as the original post and “Rub the chipped areas back and blend in their edges with the surrounding paint.”

Thanks,

Chris - long time listener, first time poster

[EricL]

Hello @christopherbmas 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fabulous to have you join us.

It is always prudent to sand the paint away. Leaving old paint becomes a point of contention as you don't know when the old paint will fail and peel. It would be a shame to waste all that effort by leaving a few spots of old paint. You would then need to sand the surface again to repair the damage.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us now.

Eric

[christopherbmas]

@EricL 🙏 agreed. Thanks for the reply!