How to Repaint Metal Doors

Stand the stepladder by the door if required. Scrape the exterior surface of the metal door with the stiff putty knife to remove loose paint and debris from the surface of the door. Start at the top of the door and work your way down. Remove the door hardware from the door with the Phillips screwdriver.

Sand the entire surface of the door with the 200-grit sandpaper to scuff the paint to allow the primer to stick properly to the surface of the door. Open the door and sand the interior surface of the door, if you are going to paint the inside of the door. Wipe down the entire door with a clean rag to remove the sanding dust from the door's surface.

Apply masking tape to the door's hinges, windows and trim to keep them clear of paint. Trim the masking tape with the utility knife if the masking tape covers any of the door's metal surfaces.

Open the can of primer with the flathead screwdriver. Stir the primer thoroughly. Use the 2-inch paintbrush to paint around the exterior edges of the door and any windows. Clean the paintbrush and set it aside. Pour primer in the paint roller pan.

Place a roller cover on the paint roller handle. Roll the paint roller in the paint roller pan to load the roller with primer. Roll the primer onto the surface of the door. Keep the coats of primer thin to reduce runs from forming on the surface of the door. Pour the excess primer back into the primer can. Clean the roller pan, roller cover and roller handle with soapy water. Allow the primer to fully dry before proceeding.

Use the same procedure to open and stir the paint as you used in Step 4 for the primer. Cut in the edges of the door and window with the 2-inch brush. Repeat the process of pouring paint into the roller pan, attaching the roller cover to the paint roller handle and painting the door. Apply a second coat of paint to the door after the first coat of paint has been allowed to dry. Apply additional coats of paint as needed until the door has a thick even coat of paint.

Pour the excess paint back into the paint can. Clean the 2-inch paintbrush, roller pan, roller cover and roller handle with soapy water.

Remove the masking tape from the areas you protected from the paint. Find the edge of the masking tape that is covered by paint. Lightly score the edge of the masking tape covered by the paint with the utility knife to avoid damaging the new paint. Pull the tape gently away from the door. Replace the door hardware.