Metal Doors Exterior gates

Restore your metal door to create a welcoming entrance.

The combination of outdoor moisture, oxygen and carbon dioxide can damage an exterior metal door, resulting in unsightly rusty patches. Sometimes the rust eats completely through the metal, leaving holes in the door. You can restore your metal door by first removing and repairing the rusty areas. Applying a fresh coat of paint will help to protect your door and extend its useful life while increasing your curb appeal.

Lay a plastic dropcloth beneath your exterior door to catch any falling rust debris and paint splatters.

Brush off large pieces of rust with a stiff, wire brush.

Sand off the remaining rust with a coarse, 80- to 150-grit sandpaper. Sand the rusty area so it is smooth to the touch.

Vacuum over the sanded areas and wipe them down with a clean rag dampened with paint thinner to remove sanding dust and rust particles.

Apply an auto-body putty filler with a putty knife to repair dents or holes in your door that were created from removing the rusty patches. Smooth it over with your knife so that it blends evenly with the surrounding door. Allow it to dry completely. Typical drying time is about 30 minutes. Auto-body filler is especially designed to adhere to metal surfaces and dries to a hard, durable patch. Avoid using wood filler on metal doors, as it tends to peel and split.

Wrap a fine, 400-grit sandpaper, around a wooden sanding block and sand down the patched areas. The wrapped, wooden block provides a more even sanding of the repaired spots. Lightly sand the other painted surfaces of your door if the existing paint has a glossy sheen. Wipe down the sanded areas with a damp rag

Clean the painted surfaces of your metal door with an all-purpose degreaser and cleaner to prepare it for priming and painting. Spray the cleaner onto the door and wipe it off with a clean rag.

Cover your doorknob, hinges and other areas that you don't want painted with blue painter's tape.

Apply metal paint primer to your door with a paint roller for the larger areas and a paintbrush for crevices and grooves. Specially formulated metal primers are designed to help prevent future rust. Allow the primer to dry to the touch.

Sand the primed surfaces lightly, using a fine, 400-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the sanded areas with a damp rag

Apply an even coat of exterior paint that's designed for use on metal doors. Use a paint roller for the larger areas and a paintbrush for smaller crevices and corners. Allow the paint to dry before applying a second coat. Typical drying time between paint coats is one to two hours. Complete drying time after the second coat can be up to 24 hours. The humidity level and air temperature tend to affect specific drying times.

Things You Will Need

• Dropcloth
• Wire brush
• Coarse and fine-grit sandpaper
• Vacuum
• Clean rags
• Paint thinner
• Auto-body putty filler
• Putty knife
• Sanding block
• All-purpose cleaner
• Painter's tape
• Paintbrushes
• Paint rollers
• Paint primer
• Paint

Warnings

• Wear a mask to protect yourself from particles in the air when sanding.
• Do not sand paint that was applied before 1978. Such paint may contain lead and pose a health hazard.