How to Paint an Interior Door

Locate the hinge pins connecting the door to the frame. Place a thin nail or a flat-tip screwdriver on the bottom of the hinge pin. Tap the nail or screwdriver with a ​hammer to push the hinge pin upwards. Once the pin is sticking out, grab it with a pair of pliers and remove it. Follow the same process to remove all of the pins. Once they're removed, slide out the door. The door could be heavy, so ask someone for help.

Place the door on the two saw horses in your workspace. Use a screwdriver to remove the hinges, doorknob and any other hardware.

Lightly sand the door's surface with a sander or sandpaper. This will ensure that the you have a smooth surface to paint, resulting in the best finish.

Sanding will leave small wood particles on the door. To remove any debris, clean the surface with a vacuum, cloth or soft-bristle brush.

Pour a small amount of paint into a paint tray. Dip your angled brush or high-density foam roller into the paint. Start painting the edges of the door.

If your door has panels, start painting the edges of the panel first. After lining the edges with paint, paint the center of the panels. Follow it by painting the area between each of the panels.

If your door doesn't have panels, start by painting the front of the door. Allow the paint to completely dry. Check your paint can for drying times. Once it's dry, turn it over and place it on the saw horse. Now, paint the back of the door.

You can paint the door casing while your freshly painted door is drying. To protect the wall, first apply painters tape around the door frame. Use a small brush or roller to paint along the door frame. Allow the paint to dry and then remove the painters tape from the wall.

Allow the paint to dry and check the finish. If needed, apply a second coat of paint. Let it completely dry before reattaching the hardware.

Use a screwdriver to install the knob, hinges, handles and any other hardware to your door. If you're looking for a refresh, this is a great time to install new door hardware.

Remove the door from the saw horse and place it upright. Ask someone to help you reinstall the door. Lift the door and slide it back on the hinges attached to the door casing. Replace the hinge pins and hammer them in.

Use painters tape to cover the door hardware. Score the edges around the hardware with a precision knife. Remove any excess tape.

Lightly sand the door to get a smooth surface. Wear safety glasses and a respirator during this process. Remove the debris and dust with a vacuum cleaner.

Pour a small amount of paint into a paint tray. ​​Dip your angled brush or high-density foam roller into the paint​​. Working on a vertical surface will cause the paint to drip, so paint using thin coats. Use a fine brush to paint along the covered hardware.

Allow the door to dry. Follow the paint can's recommended dry times. If needed, add a second coat of paint after the first coat has dried completely.

Once the paint is dry, peel off the painters tape from the hardware. Use a fine brush to paint any gaps that might be visible.