Can I paint a metal screen door?

Question

I have a duplex where the front doors are metal screen doors followed by wooden storm/front doors. The last owner painted the wooden doors green and purple (eew) and then the metal screen doors are white. It looks bad.

I'd like to paint them a nice brick red, but I'm not sure I can paint the screen door. If I only paint the wooden door it won't show much from the street because the screen door is on the outside and really hides the wooden door behind it. I see a lot of houses that paint both the screen door and the storm door the same color and it looks nice, though I can't tell if their screen doors are wooden or metal.

If you know how I can do this and what kind of paint I need, I'd greatly appreciate any advice/info.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Figure out what kind of metal you have.  It will either be steel or aluminum.  get a magnet and hold it against the metal.  If it sticks, its steel, if it won't stick its aluminum.

Then go to the paint store and get something like rustoleum for the steel, or a paint made for aluminum if that's what its made of.

I wouldn't bother with the spray paint, I'd get a good brush and brush paint it.  But you'll need to do at least two coats, and watch your brush strokes and pull stray brush hairs out of the paint before it dries.

Answer 2

Absolutly, you'll get a better job if you remove the door but that is not required. For good coverage you should coat several times - about 2 cans of name brand spray paint. You might want to go with a satin or flat finish instead of gloss - the gloss tends to highlight any nicks and dings.

Answer 3

A metal screen door would be easily painted by some good spray paint.  Tape off the areas you don't want covered and go for it...you get a nice even look to it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You don't have to use a spray paint.  Rustoleum makes a metal paint in a can.  I think it comes in brinck red too.  I saw it at Menards.  

I would personally get a good primer and prime both items with a primer meant for the metal (wouldn't hurt to use it over the wood as well) and then get a good outdoor paint mixed up in whatever color you want and paint both doors with the one gallon of paint.

Make sure you scuff sand the door before you paint it so the paint adheres well.  Just use 220 sandpaper or even a green scotchbrite pad would work.

The paint people probably wouldn't be able to match a spray paint anyway.  They might be able to come close,a dn then there is also the fact that your color choices are so limited...

Answer 5

You would have to use a spray paint that is specific for metal. They sell them at most hardware stores and department stores. I am not sure on how many cans you might need so I would ask someone in the paint department on that. But they should have a brick red spray paint.