In the Winter? Yes, as long as it is not freezing, exterior painting can be done, even in the Winter. I choose to do it now because I had the time and it wasn’t raining.
To start with, it is helpful to know what you are dealing with. This door is a fiberglass door that was stained with a water-based stain. Read, the substrate is stable and the surface had some oxidation, but nothing a quality paint couldn’t cover. I didn’t need to sand or repair anything before I started
To prepare the surface, I brushed off all of the cobwebs. I also masked around the glass with some very flexible tape. I didn’t do this, but you could run a loop of masking tape around the locksets. However a careful paintbrush drawing away from the hardware on each stroke saves masking time.
I used a high grade, hardware store exterior paint and primer in one to paint. I really prefer a well known paint store branded paint, but they do not sell my preferred line in quarts and the sample size paint is not as durable as I would like. Think $80-100/gal for high performance paint.
Why expensive paint and what is the difference? I happen to know a lot about this area so here are some reasons. You want a paint that is performance tested in your climate. Not all major brands test in the Pacific Northwest for our conditions like consistent wetness. More expensive paint is going to have better hide – less recoats to get the final outcome. The additives are more durable, colors are going to stay truer, longer and not fade as quickly. Adhesion to less pure substrates is much better with expensive paint.
This is what it looked like after three coats. I will probably give it a fourth coat (not what I was hoping for) to finish this, but the overall result sure is striking. I like it so much that I am thinking I will pain the back door again this summer.
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