Painting Interior & Pantry Doors Black

For awhile I had been wanting to add some black into our all-white house. And I knew it needed to make a bold statement, yet still appear subtle. So I started with painting our built in bookcase black in our living room, and loved the pop of color! Then it was like an addiction that carried into our kitchen and breakfast area – lol! I couldn’t believe what a difference it made to have black doors, and how easy it was to give these rooms an instant makeover! Let’s get to it! Painting Interior & Pantry Doors Black.

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Painting Interior & Pantry Doors Black

Here are some questions you might have.

Primer, Painting, Hinges Questions:

Do I need primer?

Yes if using Latex Paint (use water-based primer first, then paint).
Optional if using Oil-Based Paint (but if you do prime, use oil-based primer first, then paint).

I did not prime either of my doors, but did notice that the paint didn’t adhere perfectly at first.

It’s probably because I’m very particular about my paint 😉
Our doors were sprayed by the painters during our remodel – so I think that specific paint dries so cleanly, that it might prevent the paint from adhering well.
End result – it still dries perfectly smooth (even without primer).

How do I know if my Interior Doors were previously painted with latex or oil-based paint?

Rubbing Alcohol Test:

Dip cotton ball or paper towel into some rubbing alcohol and rub on your door. If paint comes off or you see the color on your cotton ball/paper towel – it is Latex Paint.
If the paint does not come off or is not on your cotton ball/paper towel – it is Oil-based Paint.

Can I paint only one side of an interior door?

Yes, I painted only one side of our back door and pantry door.
I’ll show you 2 different ways to paint the door edge: (not painted on back door & painted on pantry door)
Click here (bath/linen closet) or here (bedroom/closet doors) to see how to paint both sides of door.

Do I paint the hinges to match?

No do not paint hinges – if keeping the harwdare the same (like if stainless door knob, then keep stainless hinges).
Yes do paint hinges – if the hinges are already painted or if changing the hardware (like if the hinges are stainless, but you’re going to add a new gold knob).

Ok, let’s get to the supplies I used for Painting Interior & Pantry Doors Black.

Painting Interior & Pantry Doors Black

Here are the supplies I used for this project.

Supplies:

1 Quart Oil-Based Satin Paint Sherwin Williams Black Magic (SW 6991)
Angled Paint Brush
small roller brush, handle, & tray
refills small roller brushes
cardboard boxes
canvas drop cloths
painter’s tape
scissors/paper towels – (to cover door handles and/or window in door)
paint brush cleaner
ladder/step stool
*If using latex paint, use water-based primer)

Ok, let’s get to the 3 Easy Steps! Painting Interior & Pantry Doors Black.

Painting Interior & Pantry Doors Black

3 Steps:

Prep & Tape Area
Paint 2 Coats Black
Paint Touchups

*Prime first if using latex paint.

This Post will be broken down into 2 Sections:

Painting Interior Door Black
Painting Pantry Door Black

#1) Painting Interior Door Black

Step #1: Prep & Tape Area

Disclaimer:

I might have been in an “angry painter” mood for these 2 doors LOL – and that meant that I didn’t take the best pics – sorry! So this door has no before picture. 🙁

The first thing you want to do is wipe down and clean your door very well. There’s always dust that you can’t see, and that will prevent your paint from adhering well.
Tape the sides, top, and inside portions (if you happen to have a window like mine).
Tape the door handle and keypad (if you have one).
You will notice that I did tape the hinges on this door – because I am keeping the same hardware.
Then put down your plastic floor covering.

So why did I only tape one side and half of the top trim?

It’s much easier to paint a door when it’s open.

And if your door has a window in it (like mine), just cover it with paper towels.

Step #2: Paint 2 Coats Black

Now you will paint 2 coats of your black paint.

I used Oil-Based Satin Paint Sherwin Williams Black Magic (SW 6991).

I recommend beginning in the top corner by the hinge side first.
That way you can get to the inside edge of the door and inside hinge areas (to catch drips).
This works so much easier with the door slightly opened.

You will use your paint brush to get all of the sides, panel grooves, and areas around the door knob.

Then you will go over those areas with your roller brush – to get rid of the paint brush “brush marks.”

You might want to use a piece of cardboard also – to hold up on the sides so you don’t get paint splatter on the wall.

Let the paint dry overnight and paint second coat.

So, on our back door I chose to tape the door edge & not paint it black.

Couple of reasons:

I knew that it would take too long to dry – which would mean a hot house and a higher electric bill.
It’s not in an area that you see when open (only the breakfast nook area).
And it’s always closed immediately – because it is the back door.

(See pantry door portion f you want to see it painted).

Step #3: Paint Touchups

After you take the tape off, you’ll probably notice that you need to paint some touchups.

Simply tape off the areas that need touchups, and paint them.

And You are Done!

Here is what our door looks like after being painted! I love how it pops against the white trim.

And you can also see the unpainted stainless door hinges – with the stainless door knob and key pad.

Ok, Let’s move on to the painting the pantry door black.

#2) Painting Pantry Door Black

So, I did at least take a before pic of our pantry door – haha!

And did you notice that these hinges were already painted white?

That means that they will need to be painted to match the door.

Step #1: Prep & Tape Area & Step #2: Paint 2 Coats Black

Since I was patting myself on the back for taking a before pic of the pantry door, you’ll notice that I did not take any prepping and taping pics – ugh!!

I used the same method as the back door.

But this time I did NOT tape off the hinges because I will be painting them.

So, you will start off painting in the top corner on the hinge side.
But on this door I DID paint the hinges.

You will use your paint brush to get all of the sides, panel grooves, and areas around the door knob.

Then you will go over those areas with your roller brush – to get rid of the paint brush “brush marks.”

I recommend using a piece of cardboard to hold up on the sides if your door is in a tight corner like mine (just so you don’t get paint splatter on the wall).

Now you will notice that I am painting the door edge on our pantry door (pictured below).

The reasons:

It’s a door that you will see when open (which at our house is a lot – lol), and I wanted it to match the painted outside portion of the door when opened.
It does not immediately need to be closed (like the back door) – so it has time to dry.