As such an important part of our homes, doors can add to the aesthetic of each room and the house in general. This is why it’s important to keep them looking good as new. If your doors are starting to show their age, you might be thinking of painting them on your own.
Painting doors might seem simple enough, but it’s important to have the right tools for the job. This article will help you find the best brush for painting doors by covering the following:
- How to choose the best brush for painting doors
- Best way to paint doors without marks
- Best way to paint doors: brush, roller, or spray?
- 10 best paintbrushes for doors
Before we get into the best paintbrushes for doors, let’s dive into how to find the best brush for your doors. If you’re working specifically with metal doors, check out our guide to paintbrushes for metal doors.
How to choose the best brush for painting doors
With so many brushes and paint tools to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your choices. If you’re unsure where to begin, here are some guidelines to help you find the best paintbrush for doors.
What’s the best paintbrush material for doors?
Most doors contain little to no texture and can be made from wood, metal, or another material. These are the types of materials that work best on doors:
- Foam: Super absorbent and great at releasing paint. Ideal for smooth surfaces.
- Nylon-Polyester: Long-lasting blend that helps deliver high quality coverage.
- Polyester: Great option for softness and obtaining a smooth finish.
- Microfiber: A good choice for rollers if your door contains little to no texture.
What’s the best paintbrush size for doors?
Paint and roller brushes come in a variety of sizes. Having a brush that’s too big or too small can greatly impact your project. If you’ve been wondering what size paintbrush to use for doors, these are the best:
- 2-inch to 2.5-inch brushes: This will give you the best control when cutting-in or painting the edges of your doors.
- 3-inch brushes: Great for painting door panels or working with larger edges.
- 4-inch brushes: Only ideal if you’re choosing to fully paint a flat door.
- 4-inch mini rollers: The best option for painting the main surface(s) of your doors, given the standard sizes.
- ⅜-inch or less roller nap: This size of nap is best for smooth doors with little to no texture.
What’s the best paintbrush style for doors?
Brushes are also available in multiple styles that could impact the quality of your project. Here are the different styles of brushes to look for:
- Angle sash: Paintbrushes with slanted bristles. This is perfect for cutting-in and painting edges.
- Trim: Sometimes combined with angle sash, these bristles will have a flat appearance. This is great for painting flat surfaces.
- Flat sash: Brushes with bristles that are straight across. Ideal for painting larger, flat surfaces.
What’s the best paintbrush end type for doors?
In addition to the style, different paint and roller brushes will have different end types. Here’s what to look for to help you paint your doors:
- Angled bristles: Brushes with angled bristles are ideal for cutting-in, painting edges, and maintaining control.
- Angled foam: If you’re using a foam brush, look for one with a square shape that has an angled tip. This will make your application smoother.
- Round-ended rollers: Rollers with rounded ends are unlikely to leave lines as you paint, making them ideal for the main surface of your doors.
Best way to paint doors without marks
If you’re DIY painting for the first time, you might be concerned about how everything will turn out. If you want to get it right the first time, follow these tips to help you paint doors without marks.
Determine the previous paint type
When painting over an old layer of paint, you’ll want to use the same type as what was previously used. This will help ensure that the new layer of paint goes on smoothly. If you’re unsure what was used, take a cloth with rubbing alcohol and rub it on the door. If the paint transfers to the cloth, the paint has a latex base. If the paint doesn’t transfer, it has an oil base.
Use the right tools
The quality of your paintbrushes, rollers, and/or sprayers will determine the quality of your work. Spend time researching your options and what brushes work best to ensure you’re using tools that are best suited to your doors and paint.
Detach your doors and remove the knobs
If you can, remove your doors from their hinges and uninstall anything that could get in the way, such as the doorknobs. This will give you better access to all parts of your doors and give you better control and focus on applying your paint.
Complete any repairs
If there are any holes or cracks in your door, this will need to be dealt with. You can use wood filler or spackle to correct these issues. Having a smooth surface to work on will allow you to have more control and better focus on the task at hand.
Sand, clean, and prime the doors
Your doors need to be properly prepped before you begin painting. Use sandpaper to remove any imperfections, a damp cloth to remove any dirt and debris, and a primer of your choice to prime your doors. This will ensure that your doors are super smooth and ready for your paint.
Get comfortable
Make sure your door is properly elevated on your workstation and stand fairly close to it while you paint. Working in a comfortable position will keep you painting for longer and give you more control as you go.
Plan to finish before it dries
Make sure each surface of your door (edges, panels, etc.) is able to be completed before the paint dries. This will prevent any layering from appearing in your paint. If you can, paint the entire door in one go.
Use only what you need
If using a paintbrush, dip the bristles ⅓ of the way into the paint. If using a roller, use a paint tray to remove excess paint. This will eliminate any blotches or uneven coverage that could be caused by using too much paint.
Use the right techniques
Paintbrushes should be held on an angle, while rollers should be used in an up and down motion and using the M technique. This will give you more control while you’re painting and help you achieve a smoother finish.
Check the weather beforehand
If you’re going to be working outside, make sure to check the forecast and plan accordingly. Rain and humidity can ruin any paint jobs if they haven’t finished drying.
Best way to paint doors: brush, roller, or spray?
In terms of what paint tool works best on doors, it’s actually best to use both a brush and a roller. Brushes are really great at cutting-in and painting the edges of your doors, including the panels. They’re also great at helping you paint the areas that rollers are likely to miss. However, rollers are the best at helping you achieve a smooth finish across the main surface(s) of your door. Pairing the two together will ensure that the coverage is full and that the finish is beautiful.
If you’re looking to reduce your effort and speed up the process, sprayers are the way to go. They’ll help you achieve beautiful results and coverage quickly. The downside is that they’re fairly expensive and have been known to cause messes.
Choose a brush if…
- You want to cut in or paint the edges of your doors carefully.
- You want more control while painting.
- You need to paint areas a roller might miss.
Choose a roller if…
- You want to speed up the painting of the main surfaces of your doors.
- You want a smooth finish.
- You want to pair it with a brush.
Choose a spray if…
- You want the process to be easier and faster.
- You have the money to spend.
- You’re not afraid to make a mess.
10 best paintbrushes for doors
Even with a list of qualities, you’ll be surprised at how many options you have for paint tools. To help you narrow your search, here are our recommendations for the best paintbrushes for doors, along with the best sprays and rollers for faster work.
1. Wooster Shortcut Angle Sash Paintbrush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 2-inch
Material: Nylon-Polyester
Best Feature: Flexible handle
Where comfort is a concern, the Wooster Shortcut Angle Sash Paintbrush is the best paintbrush for doors. This brush is made with quality materials to help you achieve smooth lines while cutting-in or doing edgework. It’s also made with a short, flexible handle, which allows you to paint for longer in tight spaces.
2. FoamPRO Fine Finisher Roller
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Roller
Quantity: 1
Size: 4-inch length
Material: High-density foam
Best Feature: Versatility
If you want to speed up the process, the FoamPRO Fine Finisher Roller is a great foam brush for painting doors. This roller is made with high-density foam, which really absorbs and releases paint for great coverage. It works best with glossy paints.
3. Wagner SprayTech Control Spray Max HVLP Paint or Stain Sprayer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Spray
Quantity: 1
Size: 5.08 kg
Best Feature: Multi-usage
For a sprayer that will help you paint in no time, check out the Wagner SprayTech Control Spray Max HVLP Paint or Stain Sprayer. This sprayer is easy to use and maneuver, making it a great choice for interior projects throughout your home. It also uses high volume, low pressure (HVLP) technology that will help you achieve a desirable finish.
4. Purdy XL Dale Angular Trim Brush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 2-inch
Material: Nylon-Polyester
Best Feature: Versatility
The Purdy XL Dale Angular Trim Brush is a great option for cutting-in and edging your doors. This brush is made with quality materials that are guaranteed to give you beautiful results. It works well with oil and latex-based paints and primers.
5. Bestt Liebco Master Foam 4 Piece Mini Roller Kit
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Roller
Quantity: 2
Size: 4-inch length
Material: Foam
Best Feature: Value
The Bestt Liebco Master Foam 4 Piece Mini Roller Kit comes with everything you need to paint your doors. The two roller covers are made of high-density foam, helping you apply paint for a beautiful finish. It works great on smooth surfaces with all paints except for shellac.
6. Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Spray
Quantity: 1
Size: 6.8 kg
Best Feature: Controllability
If you’re looking to make your life easier, opt for the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer. This sprayer allows you to easily control the paint flow, giving you the coverage you want. It also has a hose that lets you spray paint directly from the can.
7. Wooster Softip Angle Sash Paintbrush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 2-inch
Material: Nylon-Polyester
Best Feature: Smooth finish
If you’re looking for a brush that will give your doors a flawless finish, you need the Wooster Softip Angle Sash Paintbrush. This brush is designed to give you a smooth, even finish with various paints. It’s also the perfect design for cutting-in and doing edgework on your doors.
8. Purdy White Dove Wire Mini Roller Covers
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Roller
Quantity: 2
Size: ⅜-inch nap, 4-inch length
Material: Woven Dralon
Best Feature: Smooth coverage
If you’d like to try rolling paint with a fabric roller, these Purdy White Dove Jumbo Mini Roller Covers are one of the best roller brushes for painting doors. These roller covers are made with quality material that will help you get a desirable, lint-free finish. They can be used with oil and latex paints and primers.
9. HomeRight Super Finish Max Sprayer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Spray
Quantity: 1
Size: 1.5 kg
Best Feature: Versatility
The HomeRight Super Finish Max Sprayer is both affordable and customizable. This sprayer is easily adjustable, allowing you to get the perfect amount of output for your doors. It works with various paints and lets you spray from multiple angles.
10. Wooster Silver Tip Angle Sash Paintbrush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 2-inch
Material: CT polyester
Best Feature: Softness
For those most concerned about brush marks, try the Wooster Silver Tip Angle Sash Paintbrush. This brush is made with softer bristles that help keep your brushstrokes light. It’s also made with durable materials that will help it last a long time.
Now that you know everything about selecting the right brush for your doors, it’s time to get started. If you think you might prefer to hire a professional instead, the City Painters are here to help. Contact us here or give us a call for a quote.