At Select Products, we sell a variety of composite doors for your home in an assortment of colours for you to choose from. However, if you are tired of having one colour, then you have the option to paint it. In this article, we will explain how to do it and show you the techniques that you can use.

A composite door is made from Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) which results in a durable finish that lasts for a very long time. The correct paint that you should use for a composite door is a solvent based paint. Even though all paint has solvents in, this specialised paint has higher levels of organic compounds, higher than any other. As a result, it sticks to GRP better than most other paints, resulting in a durable finish.
You will be able to enjoy your composite door for many years, while increasing your home’s kerb appeal. It takes around 10 seconds for a visitor to make an impression on your door, so it is important to get it right.
The first thing you will need to do is to decide what colour you want your composite door to be. This will make a statement in your home. Which colour do you choose? The easiest way to find out is to visualise a colour and test it on the back of old wallpaper. Then, you can hold it up against the existing door colour to see how it compares.

Preparing the composite door is the most important thing when it comes to painting it because you will need the surface to be completely dry. But don’t use hydro carbon solvents to clean the door because it will leave a residue in the long term. Another essential thing to do is tape the door fixtures together so you won’t lose them. Additionally, if your composite door has glass panels, stick newspaper on top of them with decorators tape to avoid getting paint on them.

Next, unscrew the door handles and letterboxes before rinsing the door with clean water. Then, rinse the door with clean water to smoothen out the finish. This will give you an opportunity to clean and prepare the surface for the fresh paint. To do this, you will need a scraper to remove any flaking paint that is falling off. When the surface is dry, sand it with medium grade sandpaper and then use fine sandpaper to smoothen it out even further. Next, clean the door with methylated spirit to get rid of dust and dirt as it will stick and make the new paint flakey and make the surface uneven. Use sugar soap solution for this, and let it dry. If there are any cracks in the wood, repair them with a wood filler, which will make the paint job much easier.

A suitable paint for the door is Frenchic Paint as it dries quickly, resulting in a smooth finish. Another choice is Zinsser All Coat which is available in a range of different colours. The conditions are very important to consider, so you will want to paint on a warm day. Otherwise, the door is more likely to peel if you paint on a cold or overcast day.

Another essential tool to use is a primer. This is an undercoat of paint that will help smoothen the finish of your door, so it gives it a smooth finish. This is ideal if you notice bits of bare wood.
Now it is time to start the paint job on your composite door. Start painting the first coat and the door panels. Once you have done this, focus on the rest of the door. Then, wait for two hours and paint the second coat, and then refit the door furniture. The door will look as good as new. However, it is essential to repaint and freshen up the door every two years because it will get exposed to sunlight and bad conditions. Next, you can apply beeswax because it protects the paint and gives it a durable and sleek finish. To do this, use a soft cloth to enhance it.

We hope that this article has given you a rough guide on how to paint your composite door. Painting the new door will give it a fresh look and a shiny feel that increases its kerb appeal and market value. If you have any questions about our composite doors, our friendly team is on hand to help you. Give us a ring on 01322 578933 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you soon.