i would like to know if I can paint my front metal door to look like wood? Since there is no wood grain in the door would I have to use a graining tool?
Thank you
Nancy

Hi Nancy...
Yes, you can paint a metal or fiberglass door to look like wood! Yeah. And no... you don't need a graining tool. I have used a graining tool, but I usually don't like the results.

I would prefer that the door have a subtle grain... I try not to call attention to the fact that it's be "grained".

I have painted and faux wood glazed many doors of the fiberglass or steel type. They have very smooth finish with raised panels but it seems that paint would never stick to the smooth finish.

You must prime! Primer is available for exterior use and it's usually an oil based product. You can't sand the door to give it stickability, so you need to apply a good primer coat to give the paint and glaze something to stick too.

Pick a day that is temperate in climate.

* The primer will have time to cure and the weather must be neither too cold nor too hot.

* The door should not be shut for about 12 hours, or you will risk the primer sticking to the door trim instead of the door.

Zinsser brand makes an excellent primer for just this purpose. Although they state that the primer will be ready for paint within 2 hours, I have not found this to be true on doors that will be closed against a door jam.

If you are unsure or need more training… this video will be a huge help!

Faux Wood Graining Doors

You will need to first base coat the door. You can use Zinsser's 123 Bullseye latex primer as a base coat - tinted to the appropriate color. See Basecoat Matching

Next, you will need to use a glaze to "woodgrain" the door. You don't have to use a rocker tool, you can use a brush to do all the graining.

A good woodgraining glaze is Modern Masters Tintable Glaze.

I would do the woodgraining in two layers. The first layer is a background. This can be done by "flogging" the surface to create wood pores. See: Flogging

Next, you can drag the primary grain over the top of the flogged layer after it has dried. You can drag both straight grain and heart grain with a brush. See: Woodgraining a Six Panel Door

You can find more information on woodgraining here: Faux Finishing Articles

Hope this helps.

thank you for your help, i haven't started to paint the door yet. I think I need a lot of practice before i start the door.
Nancy