Fiberglass doors are energy efficient and very tough and can last you a long time, but with this longevity comes the potential for it to become outdated. Additionally, if you’ve given the exterior of your home a facelift with a fresh coat of paint in a different color, added some new landscaping elements, or made some other change, then your old fiberglass door may not fit in with the new design. So, rather than adding more money to the total cost of your renovation by getting a new door, you can paint or stain your old one!

Before you go out and grab the perfect paint color for your new door and remove it from its hinges, there are some steps you’ll want to follow closely and carefully, because just like any other DIY task, it’s best to get things done right the first time. That way you save on time, money, and effort. Read on to find out what you’ll need to do to ensure your new door looks great!

Preparation

To paint a fiberglass door, you’ll need:

  • A water borne, high adhesion primer
  • Masking tape
  • Cloths and sponges
  • Newspaper or a plastic sheet
  • A soft-bristled paintbrush
  • A synthetic paintbrush
  • A paint tray
  • Acrylic, polyester, polyurethane, or epoxy resin paint

Choosing the right kind of paint is essential to the success of your project, not only because it’s what will be giving your door a new life but because the wrong kind of paint can damage the door or make the process far more difficult. Not to worry though, you’ll still have a wide selection of different colors in matte, neutral, or gloss finishes.

The first step is always to take the door off its hinges and lay it on a flat surface. From there, you’ll want to remove things like weather strips and door sweeps along with any hinges or lock hardware. If you find any installation nail screw holes, they should be filled in with a quality painter’s caulking or putty. Before cleaning, apply a small bead of caulking between the brickmold and jamb and allow it to dry.

When cleaning, use a detergent, TSP, or any other water borne product only – never use any kind of industrial type “fast dry” solvents or paint thinning solvents because they will leave a residue on the door’s surface.

Now on to the priming and painting process. Cover the edges of any panes of glass and exposed hardware, and then stir the primer before pouring it into the paint tray. Then, apply the primer to all four edges of the door and the front side. Leave it to dry for a few hours, and then apply your chosen paint to the front side. After letting that dry, flip the door and repeat the process. To get a smooth, professional looking finish, be sure to wipe off any excess paint from your paintbrush before applying it to the door, and always move the paintbrush in the same direction.

Once everything has dried, remove the masking tape, clean things up, and refit the door.

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