Painting - painting doors

My question is about the best way to paint doors. I tried using brush, but I still can see the brush marks. I tried using foam rolls which are supposed to be used for doors and trims, but I don't get a smooth glossy surface. I am using semigloss paint called Valspar, from Lowes. Any ideas ?

Brush marks are really a fact of life. first off you should be using a good Purdy brush or something just as good as a professional would use to minimize brush marks. Second your should use a certain method or order for painting doors...certain things need to be done first and you need to keep a nice wet edge as you go. Use 220 grit sandpaper in between coats on most normal wood doors...Double check manufactuers recommendations for prep and painting of this door first before you do anything to it wihich is really important.

There are a few things you can do to help avoid brush marks:

1) Use a top-quality brush. If you aren't using a Purdy, Corona, or Wooster, you are probably going to end up with brush marks.
2) Don't over-work the coat. If you keep brushing an already-applied coat, you will thin it out, and end up with marks. Let the leveling properties of the paint do the work.
3) Before coating, prime, sand the primer, and sand between coats. Of course, you will need to remove any dust after sanding.
4) Work fast. If you lose your "wet edge" you are doomed. You need to never run a brush over paint that has already tacked over. This can be as few as 3 minutes or so for some coatings.

SIrWired

I would add that using quality enamel from a real paint store will produce better results than any coatings you can buy at a big box.

What type of doors are you painting? slick? panels? masonite or real wood?

i've always (if I wasn't spraying them) applied paint to doors with a roller, and then smoothed them out with either a brush or a small foam roller. The reason I did this, is to get the entire door wet with paint before it dries. Once it is coated and wet, smooth it out lightly with the foam roller. Don't apply pressure, you are just smoothing it out. If it's a smooth door, you can use a large 9" foam roller, if it has molding or offset, use a cigar foam roller, but brush the offset areas first, and make sure you watch for runs in the corners.

You can lightly (very lightly, as it is easy may easily peel before it cures) sand with 180-220 and recoat if it doesn't have enough shine. Also, look into a full gloss, instead of semi, if you desire more shine.

I too have a door I want to repaint, a metal core average front door, it's white, and I'd like to paint it red. I can't really sand it, because I'll scratch it, it seems - so I figure I prime it, and then roll the paint on fast? I don't have a sprayer nor the money to get one, and spray paint cans make me nervous with the fact that they never lay paint the right way. Thoughts?

Welcome to the forums Brianbotkiller!

You should sand the door first, use 220 grit. The fine sanding scratches will be filled/covered with the new paint. The scratches help the next paint to adhere to the previous paint.

Purchase your paint at your local paint store [not dept] They can help you choose the correct coating and can make suggestions as to which tools to apply it.

Reds can be troublesome to get coverage. Often a grey primer is used to help. This won't be a 1-2 coat job. Sand lightly between coats.

Is this a flat metal door? or does it have panels?

A 9" roller with a 1/4" nap will do a decent job on a flat door although it will leave a little roller stipple - orange peel. This may be preferable to brush marks = easier for diyers. A smaller roller can be used if it is a panel door. Either taping the edge or removing the door knob will help you to paint the door quicker. I wouldn't even consider using spray cans on a house door.