Paint for interior doors: review, recommendations

Selection options

It is necessary to choose the right material, since the appearance of the product depends on the quality of coloring. If the composition is of poor quality, then it is unlikely that you will get a good result. Typically, when using problematic products, coloring occurs unevenly or with smudges.

To choose the right paint for an interior door, you need to consider several nuances:

door leaf material;
functional purpose of the room;
design of other interior details.

To give natural wood a fresh look, various varnishes or impregnations are used. These compositions preserve the natural structure of the surface and renew the appearance of the canvas. If products made from MDF or chipboard panels are installed, then different types of paints are used to change the appearance of the surface.

High-quality products do not smell. There are many odorless interior door paints on the market. They are suitable for use in different rooms. It is advisable to choose water-based paint for the interior door: this composition will make it natural and less harmful. The drying time of the composition is of great importance. Now there are many quick-drying paints for interior doors.

Painting the door

The process of painting MDF doors is a specific procedure consisting of several successive steps:

At the very beginning, the entire surface is primed. This will remove dust from the surface and significantly improve the adhesive properties of the coating.
If the surface has some dents, then they are covered with putty. After this, everything is sanded and coated with primer again.
The next step is tinting the paint. This needs to be done in one container, since getting the same shade in two “buckets” is almost impossible by eye.
At the very end, painting is done. The number of layers is selected individually and depends on the desired appearance of the door.

Doorways are varnished in the same way. If you are using transparent varnish, then you need to putty the door with substances that match the structure of your product.

You can get a better coating using special sprayers that apply paint in an even layer. This not only reduces material consumption, but allows you to get a very high-quality appearance.

How to paint an MDF door - in this video:

How to paint a white door to look like wood? The loss of an old wooden door of its original appearance is not a reason to part with it.

It can not only be restored without resorting to significant costs, but also improve the appearance of the door by applying a pattern imitating a wood structure to its surface. But before painting the door with your own hands to look like wood, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of doing the work that this article suggests.

When painting interior doors in an apartment, the following are taken into account:

Specific wishes of household members.
Availability of materials.
General interior style of the apartment.

Interior doors can be painted using several options:

Same color as the floor.
To match the wall decoration.
For existing furniture:

kitchen set made of MDF;
wardrobe in the bedroom;
wall or upholstered furniture in the living room.

Decorate as antique.
Use the contrast of individual details, which is especially important for the design of paneled models.
Apply a design to the painted surface.
Pay attention to the structure of the tree.

Wherein:

Bright and plain options fit perfectly into modern design, as in the photo.
By highlighting the wood structure or painting the door with an antique effect, you can decorate a classic or country style interior.

Tip: If you have any doubts about doing complex work yourself, you should go for the universal option - painting the door white, which fits perfectly in any room.

What paint to choose for the door

The type and color of paint is selected depending on the type of work being carried out.

It can be:

Highlighting the natural beauty of wood on the door leaf.
In this case you need to use:

clear varnishes;
stain;
oil impregnations;
varnishes for tinting.

Hiding an existing pattern by applying a new one that looks like wood fiber.
To do this, choose wood-like paints such as:

Acrylic.
Oily.
Polyurethane.
Perchlorovinyl.

Tip: When choosing paint for doors, preference should be given to water-based acrylic paints. They are perfect for doing work with a brush and have the most suitable consistency for this.

When painting bath doors or those installed in damp rooms, it is better to purchase alkyd paints that perfectly repel moisture.

Affects the choice of paint and type of coating, for example:

Wooden (see Painting wooden doors: how and with what) and laminated doors can be painted with any composition.
For MDF and veneered surfaces, aggressive components cannot be used.

Water-based

Although the product is usually used for painting walls and ceilings, it is also chosen for painting doors, which can then be treated with clear varnish. Since the enamel is made on a water basis, it has no odors, it dries quickly and has an affordable price.

This paint has the following advantages:

Dries quickly. It only takes a few hours.
The composition is safe for nature and human health. When painting, you do not need to immediately leave the room.
There is no sharp specific odor, which usually persists for 2-3 weeks after completion of finishing.
The composition can be given almost any color if you use special pigments. Construction stores usually sell a colorless tone, and they offer a catalog with pigments for it. The consumer can choose the option he likes.
The paint is easy to apply and the tools are very easy to clean afterwards.

But coloring can be done at a temperature of +5 degrees. This is the only disadvantage of water-based paint.

What do we need

Explanation. MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard, MDF) is a medium density fiberboard. This material is produced by dry pressing of finely dispersed wood chips. Urea resins modified with melamine serve as a binding component there.

Tools and materials

Note. Manufacturers produce their products already primed, that is, ready for use, so they should not be primed.

Spectrum of acrylic texture paints ZELEST

First of all, you should figure out what to paint MDF doors with, that is, we mean paint and varnish materials. The best, one might even say, the only option for such work is water-based acrylic paints for wood products. Despite such a seemingly “flimsy” base like water, they have an excellent rich color, do not fade, can be washed without any problems with a wet cloth (sponge) and besides, they are practically odorless.
Some people try to use a substance such as Zinga conductive paint for this, but this is more like a cold galvanizing method and is more suitable for metal products than for lumber. But although fire-retardant metal paints Polistil can be used for wood, they are susceptible to active exposure to moisture and are additionally coated with enamels. (See also the article Finishing doorways: features.)

Paint brushes

To apply paint to the surface of the door, it is most convenient and qualitatively effective to use flat, narrow and wide paint brushes. Of course, it is more convenient to paint panels with wide brushes, but if there is glass in the door, then, of course, a narrow brush will be much better. When purchasing them, you should pay attention to the working part and check whether the bristles are sticking out, otherwise you will have to constantly remove hairs from the surface or you may not even notice it, and after drying it (the hair) will leave a mark. (See also the article How to paint a wooden door: options.)

You will need a bath for the paint roller

If you have an ordinary door with two panels, then to speed up painting work and to save paint, you can use a terry or wool roller, and paint the recesses with a brush. Just don’t use a foam roller, as it slips and the coating ends up with bald patches.

Let's start painting

Applying the first layer

The painting process itself is quite simple, but paint for MDF doors is applied in several layers to achieve the desired effect . You should not be upset that you will have to use more material compared to, for example, enamel, and the reason for this is a fairly affordable price and good quality. (See also the article Door finishing: types.)

So, apply the first layer of paint with your own hands using a brush or a paint roller, or using both tools, and do not be afraid to paint the ends. The fact is that poorly painted door ends are a fairly common occurrence, because if there is an extra thin layer there, problems begin to arise after a while - the door stops closing normally and rubs against the frame.

After this, it is often necessary to recess the canopies or break the box with spacers.

When using a water-based acrylic coating, this does not happen, since the liquid is absorbed into the wood and the film is absolutely insignificant. After you have applied the first layer, you can rest for 15 or 20 minutes - during this time the door will be dry, but what you see may upset you - the surface will change little (especially for light colors) and, moreover, they will spots and stains!

But don’t let this bother you - after all, you have to apply the next layer - and you will do it, and besides, such actions are provided for by the instructions that are printed on the packaging (jar, canister).

After the second layer has dried, carefully inspect the surface to ensure that there are no defects in the form of stains or uneven tone. If you don’t notice anything like this, and you are satisfied with everything, then you can use it, but if necessary, it is better to apply a third layer, which will certainly be the last.

But even now the canvas must be inspected after drying, because you could simply have missed any of the areas, and this is no wonder, because at this stage the shades will merge very much and it will be possible to distinguish between fresh and old only by their shine.

You can apply not only your hands to painting work, but also your imagination

When everything is ready and the door is completely dry, you can begin the process of operation and forget about the roller and brushes for several years, and this is quite normal, but there are people who have a creative gyrus hidden somewhere deep in their brains, which always haunts them, even when everything is fine.

Well, then you can add a little variation that won't be too noticeable since it's a pure classic - look at the photo above - it uses regular bronze and a thin brush.

Alkyd

How to paint interior doors to make them look neat? Alkyd paints are used for this. They are water and heat resistant. The compositions retain their shade for a long time and do not fade. There are many colors, and the cost of production is quite affordable.

But the product also has disadvantages. Alkyd enamel should not be chosen for wooden products. This is due to the fact that the paint firmly clogs the pores of the wood, which is why the material does not breathe, which leads to the appearance of cracks. The alkyd composition also smells unpleasant, and the smell does not dissipate for a long time. You need to ventilate the room for about a day.

Materials and tools

Doing the work yourself is not that difficult. But you should purchase the necessary materials and equipment. You can paint a medium-density fiberboard panel (the usual format of an interior door):

Varnishes: glossy, matte, colored, polyurethane, and on the base - polyurethane, alcohol, oil. When restoring an old door, it is not advisable to use varnishes, since wood defects are visible underneath them. The most relevant option due to its resistance to mechanical damage is a polyurethane type of varnish. For example, the company Gjoco Klarlakk (average price - $20).
Paints: glossy, matte, structure-accentuating. Paints can also be oil-based, alcohol-based, or polyurethane. Here the choice depends entirely on the preferences of the owner. The SADOLIN brand ($18 PER 1 liter) is often used.
Oils on wax: colored and transparent. Expensive wax oils visually make the surface silky. OSMO oil has the best quality-price ratio ($30-35 per liter).

The preparation stage also includes the selection of tools. To process the door before painting, you will need a drill and a grinder with an attachment in the form of a circle with Velcro on which sandpaper is placed (you will need three types of grit: 1500, 2000, 2500). You also need alcohol and a regular vacuum cleaner to remove dust. Painting agents are usually applied with rollers (preferably 2 sizes - small and medium) and brushes (in especially difficult places, in bends). This also has its own specifics. Foam rollers are not used when applying nitro enamel, since when the materials come into contact, a chemical reaction occurs that corrodes the surface of the roller. The spray gun is not usually used due to the difficulty of controlling the spray. Moreover, if you are deciding how to paint an interior door in wenge color, where incorrect application worsens the result of the work.

For a more aesthetic appearance, the product needs polishing at the final stage. In addition to the polish itself, you will need a special sponge to apply it.

Painting doors in wenge color

Acrylic

It is also called enamel. Acrylic paint for interior doors comes in many colors. Please note that painted products will have a matte sheen. It is necessary to apply varnish to the painted surface, otherwise it will not be durable and will quickly lose its new appearance.

This paint is quite expensive, and you also need to buy varnish. But the enamel has virtually no odor and dries quickly, which makes it possible to use it in different rooms, including children's rooms. It is advisable to use for doors made of MDF.

What types of MDF doors are there?

Without exaggeration, we can say that today MDF is used in the manufacture of almost all interior doors, with the exception of solid wood ones. The name MDF is a fine fraction of wood, and it differs from the familiar and familiar fiberboard in its density and manufacturing method - the main binder in the manufacture of MDF is paraffin, and this gives this material some moisture resistance. As a rule, an MDF door is a wooden frame to which two MDF boards are glued on both sides - i.e. such a door is hollow inside. It is worth noting that most manufacturers fill this hollow space with corrugated cardboard - like a honeycomb, this is done in order to give the door greater strength. The MDF boards themselves can be either smooth or with a three-dimensional pattern stamped on them. But the coating on such a door can be very diverse.

An interior door made of MDF confidently holds its position in the market thanks to its affordable price and decent appearance.

Acrylic lacquer

This is not paint in the literal sense of the word, but is used to protect natural wood structures. For example, pine doors will look attractive thanks to this composition. The color of the varnish is transparent, which allows you to preserve the color and structure of the surface. After treatment, the door will have a fresh look.

Dust will settle worse on such a surface. Varnishes come in different shades. If you use them skillfully, you will get excellent results. The color of the canvas can vary from light to dark shades.

How to paint a chipboard door

The question that always worries us is: what type of paint is suitable for painting? An easy choice is water-based acrylic paint. Inexpensive, non-toxic. True, it is not very durable. Since the doors are often touched with hands when opening and closing them, the paint in these places will wear off over time (in a year or two).

A good option for painting with a non-aqueous stain or colored (tinted) varnish. It is only important to choose the color.

Painting a door with PF-115 enamel for wood will give an excellent result - the finish will last a long time and look great. It will be difficult to even guess by looking that the doors are made of chipboard.

Painting tool – brush or spray gun. You can take a small roller and paint hard-to-reach places with a brush.

We apply the paint twice, without waiting for it to dry completely, that is, we apply the second layer while the first is still sticky.

The first coat of paint on the chipboard door—the base is visible.

If you think that the doors are painted perfectly, you can stop after two coats of paint have been applied.

If necessary, the doors can be coated with a third coat of paint.

After proper painting, the doors look more expensive.

Nitropaint

This is a good wood-look paint for interior doors. The composition will allow you to preserve the canvas for a long time. It provides long lasting and stable color. A special feature of the product is that it is heat-resistant and is not afraid of high humidity.

The disadvantages include the presence of toxic substances, which is why you need to use a respirator during processing. The product also has an unpleasant odor, which is dangerous for allergy sufferers and children.

Oily

Not so long ago, these products were popular for painting wooden surfaces, but a replacement has been found for them. This is due to the following disadvantages of the composition:

rapid loss of attractive appearance;
release of toxins;
long hardening time.

Oil paint is in demand due to its low price and excellent compatibility with coniferous wood. This is due to the proximity of the product to the composition of the resin found in tree trunks.

How to paint interior doors is up to everyone to decide for themselves. But it is important to consider that for structures installed in the bathroom, the product must have special properties. Matte enamels are not suitable for this room; they do not tolerate moisture and are difficult to maintain. It is important to take into account the labeling, which indicates that the paint can be used in rooms with high humidity.

Painting process

When tools, materials, and additional devices are prepared, it is necessary to create a working atmosphere. To avoid staining the floor, you need to cover it with polyethylene. Paper is not suitable for this, as it will become saturated with paint and marks will remain on the surface. When the surface is covered, you can begin to carry out the main work.

Preparatory stage

First of all, you need to remove the door leaf from its hinges. If the door is old, a pry bar is used for this. It needs to be placed on one side under the canvas to create a lever. When pressure is applied to the other side, the canvas will go up and come off the hinges. In new doors, the hinges are fixed to the door with self-tapping screws. You can unscrew them with a screwdriver or screwdriver.

You need two people to remove the canvas. This is due to the large weight of the structure.

You need to clean the door with sandpaper. Sweep away the debris with a brush. Decorative inserts made of metal or glass are sealed with masking tape.

Padding

When the canvas is prepared, it is necessary to apply a primer. It will hide various defects. After applying the composition, you must wait the time indicated on the package. When the first layer has dried, it is necessary to inspect the surface for scratches and cracks. A total of 3-4 layers of primer are needed. This amount will reduce the absorbency rate of MDF.

Painting stage

When the primer has dried, you can begin painting. Hard-to-reach places are painted first. A brush is used for this. The surface is painted with a roller. The first layer must dry before continuing work.

After drying, you need to apply another layer, wait until it dries, and cover the canvas with the outer layer. The finishing layer must be applied carefully. After coating, it is necessary to check the finished surface for defects.

Antique

To age the door, it is necessary to use glaze as a finishing layer. This is a special thinner that can be purchased at the same place where you buy paint. It strengthens the structure of MDF and draws out the structure of the material. The last layer of work will be varnishing.

When the varnish has dried, you need to install the door leaf in place, remove the masking tape and throw out the trash. The varnish will strengthen the paint and protect it from mechanical stress.

To paint an MDF door, you do not need to have any additional skills. It is important to know the features of this material and perform a certain sequence of actions. We must not forget about sanding the canvas with sandpaper and coating it with a primer.

The best manufacturers

What paint to paint interior doors? There are a lot of paint and varnish products on sale now. Many manufacturers produce various enamels - paints for metal and wooden structures. The best brands are:

Dulux. The company is considered a major manufacturer of paints and chemicals. This paint can be used to paint MDF, PVC interior doors, as well as metal or wooden structures. The products are produced in 26 countries, and the company itself is located in Holland, Amsterdam. According to reviews, the products of this brand are of high quality.
Tikkurila. The company has been operating for more than 150 years and is considered a leader in many countries, including Finland, Sweden, Russia, and Poland. Production technologies are improving, the number of factories is increasing. You can use paint to renew doors made of pine or other wood. It is also used for other materials.
"Tex." The company has been operating on the Russian market for over 20 years. During this time, the products fell in love with many people. According to consumer reviews, the products have excellent value for money. Moreover, it is diverse. There are paints for MDF and wooden interior doors.

To update structures, so as not to waste too much, it is the coloring composition that is used. The article presents popular types of funds. Which one is better to choose depends on personal preferences.

What composition to choose for painting MDF doors

The most practical composition for painting interior doors is polyurethane paint and varnish for MDF. These are quick-drying materials that have almost no odor or toxic fumes. Accidental splashes of paint and varnish material can be easily removed not only from your hands, but also from the floor covering. After painting, the surface of the canvas becomes resistant to mechanical damage. The door structure is easy to care for - just wipe with a damp cloth soaked in soapy water.

In addition to varnish and paint, you will need a water-based polyurethane primer, because initially the product is primed and then painted. Applying a primer prevents the paint material from being absorbed into the canvas, as a result of which its consumption will be economical. The primer layer has increased adhesive properties, and the canvas is also easy to sand.

A convenient option for application is a spray bottle. In its absence, a roller or brush will serve as an alternative. Complete drying of the soil composition will take about 10 hours at a temperature of 25 degrees.

To purchase paint and varnish materials, it is necessary to determine the exact amount of material required. It is worth considering that the door leaf, frame and trim will be painted. The average figure for one door structure is 1 kg of paint and varnish composition, and the same amount of primer.

In order to avoid conflicts between layers of paint products, it is worth choosing one manufacturer.

Photo 2 A large shade range of polyurethane paints allows you to choose the most optimal option for painting an MDF door structure, which will create perfect harmony with the overall style of the interior.

In order not to be disappointed in the resulting color of the product, you need to remember several selection rules:

on a voluminous massive surface, warm shades will appear darker;
the color also depends on the lighting of the room;
the finished coloring composition will be lighter than on the label.

It is better to initially purchase the required amount of paint, because... The color of the coloring composition of the same line may differ slightly, which will affect the quality of coloring.

Color

Dyeing allows you to give the canvas any shade. To do this, you should choose a paint color based on the interior. It is advisable to take into account the following rules:

Dark shades (from chocolate to black) can be chosen for English and classic styles.
Light-colored doors (from white to light brown) are more suitable for a child's room as they make the environment pleasant.
Green, red, purple and other tones will be a wonderful choice for pop art, modern, and high-tech styles.
Multi-colored doors are suitable for a children's room or apartments decorated in a single bright style.

Door leaves can contrast with the interior. This solution is original, but an ideal combination of other details is necessary. For example, if there are blue and white tones in the decor, yellow doors look original. In this case, you need to choose a shade that is not too saturated, which is necessary for the harmony of combinations.

The color of the door should match the shade of the frame. If the canvas is multi-colored, then the frame is painted in one tone that is on the door. It is desirable that the color of the canvas be repeated in the decor of the room. Then the situation will be harmonious.

How to paint an MDF door

First you should paint the ends, then move on to painting the upper left corner - the doors are painted a quarter from there. After this, they begin to paint the same rectangular areas from left to right, gradually moving down.

Painting interior doors made of MDF white is considered universal: this color harmoniously combines with almost any color scheme inside the room.

If the MDF doors are paneled, painting begins with the sides of the panel, after which they move on to painting the protruding parts and horizontal cross posts. The vertical parts of the canvas are painted last. The paint must be applied with vertical movements. Often painted in several colors, emphasizing the originality of the felt.

If the MDF door has a wooden structure, it can be painted in such a way that it is practically indistinguishable from an expensive solid wood interior door. To do this, the varnish must be mixed with paint, and the resulting mixture must be coated twice on the surface. The result is a water-repellent surface with the desired “wooden” tint.

The same effect, albeit in a different way, can be achieved if the MDF doors are smooth. First you need to choose a paint color that is close to wood, and the paint should be 2 similar shades. The brighter tone is applied first, and until it has dried, it is necessary to make stains on it using a special brush that will resemble the patterns of a tree cut. It's not as difficult as it might seem: to get the hang of it, you just need to practice a little on an unnecessary piece of MDF. After the first layer has dried, you can apply darker paint.

Painting MDF doors , like any other, should be done in warm weather so that the room can be properly ventilated. The temperature inside the room should be between 19-250C.

Share this post on social services

Rate this post

Preparation

To restore the appearance of an old door or to add aesthetics to a new surface, painting is performed. This procedure is performed for products made from natural wood, chipboard, MDF. Before you paint wooden doors, you need to prepare. The process technology depends on the state of the structure.

Preparation is carried out according to the following rules:

The painted product is cleaned of the coating. To do this, use a narrow spatula, a hair dryer, and fine-grained sandpaper. The turned on hair dryer must be kept at a distance of 20 - 30 cm from the surface, heat the paint for a few seconds until it swells, and then remove the layer with a spatula. This way the entire door is processed. Residues are removed using sandpaper or a sander. If the product is treated with varnish, it must be removed with a special remover or sanding. When heated with a hairdryer, the paint swells and is easier to remove.
If the door is new, then it is treated with antiseptic compounds. This will serve as protection against moisture, fungus, mold, and high-quality adhesion of paint to wood or chipboard. For application, a brush is used to evenly distribute the primer over the surface. The product must be intended for wood; it is important that it is compatible with paint. The primer can be transparent or colored.
It is necessary to remove accessories and dust from sanding from the canvas, and place it on a flat surface. The door should not be painted by hand, as this will cause drips. This spoils the appearance of the product. Gaps and small cracks must be covered with putty to match the color of the canvas. This rule applies to structures made of wood, chipboard, MDF. Before painting, fill cracks and cracks with putty.

Preparation involves processing not only the door, but also the workspace. For painting you also need tools - brushes of different sizes and a spray gun. You also need pieces of clean foam rubber, fabric, masking tape, and a stationery knife.

Preparing the surface for painting

The logical conclusion from the above is the need to perform high-quality and thorough preparation of the metal surface before painting the front door with powder coating. First you need to dismantle the sash, and then all the removable fittings. This will protect them from any damage during work.

Then you should clean the surface of the canvas from the old coating. As already noted, this is not at all easy to do, given the strength of the powder-polymer protective layer, as well as its resistance to various influences, including climatic, mechanical and even chemical. Therefore, a set of measures is usually used for cleaning, in particular:

treatment with strong solvents;
use of mechanical abrasive tools;
cleaning the metal surface with special brushes and scrapers.

The choice of a specific method for performing preparatory work depends on the condition of the powder coating, as well as the material used to create it. The best option is sandblasting the surface, however, it also cannot be done at home. Another commonly used option is to use a regular angle grinder, such as an angle grinder, with special attachments. After mechanical cleaning of the surface, it should be prepared for painting. To do this, degreasing is performed using conventional solvents - white spirit or acetone.

Coloring rules

The quality of painting is influenced not only by proper preparation, but also by the choice of suitable paint and compliance with the rules for its use. Therefore, before work you need to familiarize yourself with the steps:

The coloring composition must be prepared according to the instructions specified by the manufacturer. Some compositions do not require thinning with a solvent, but the paint must always be thoroughly mixed until smooth. Then pour a little composition into the container for coloring. If a spray gun is used, it has a special tank. This device is simple, but creates an even and beautiful coating.
The paint is applied with light movements in small quantities. The work must be done evenly, which will help to obtain a layer of the same thickness on any part of the door. When one side of the canvas has been processed, you should wait until it dries. After painting on one side, the product is turned over.
When the first layer has dried on each side, apply the second. The product should be used in small quantities and distributed evenly. The finished structure is left to dry completely, and then the fittings are installed and hung on the hinges. An updated door will make the room more original.

Thus, it is important not only to choose high-quality paint, but also to carry out the preparation and painting procedure. This technology is suitable for products made of chipboard and wood. Depending on the material and type of paint, there may be some nuances of the work. If you take into account all the above points, the result will be excellent.

Wood staining

Almost any interior door leaf can be transformed by painting it to resemble natural wood. How to do it? Quite simple. First of all, the interior panel is removed, all fittings are dismantled, after which the door structure is laid horizontally. To get a wood-like pattern, paint must be applied in two layers of different colors, and then simple patterns must be created with a special device.

To imitate the surface of oak, you can purchase dyes of chocolate and light brown shades, and to get wenge, you need to choose a black and dark red coloring composition. It is necessary to proceed according to the following scheme:

the main color is applied over the entire surface, after which you need to wait until it dries;
artificial abrasions are created using sandpaper;
a second color is applied, after which stains similar to wood texture are created with smooth movements.

After the second color has dried, the wood can be artificially aged; this is easily done with craquelure varnish. When the painted interior fabric has dried, all the fittings are installed and the structure is set in place.