Exterior doors, especially front doors, can say a lot about your home from the outside. If your exterior doors have stood the test of time, chances are they’re in need of a fresh coat of paint.
One of the most important things that will help you get your ideal results is to invest in the proper tools. This article will help you find the best brush to paint exterior doors by covering the following:
- 10 best paintbrushes to paint exterior doors
- What’s the best type of paintbrush for exterior doors?
- Best way to paint exterior doors: brush, roller, or spray?
- Best way to paint front doors and exterior doors without marks
Before we explain the qualities to look for in the best types of brushes for exterior doors, let’s start by introducing some options for the best brush to paint front doors and exterior doors. If you’re also painting the trim around your doors, check out the best brushes to paint door trim.
10 best paintbrushes to paint exterior doors
In order to get the best results on your exterior doors, you need the right tools for the job. If you want to reduce your time spent searching, here are our recommendations for the best paintbrushes for exterior doors. We’ve also included a few rollers and sprayers, too!
1. Wooster Softip Angle Sash Paintbrush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 2-inch
Material: Nylon-polyester blend
Best Feature: Quality
The Wooster Softip Angle Sash Paintbrush is a great option for giving your exterior door a beautiful finish. The soft bristles are made with a quality material that will give you a smooth, even coverage. The handle is also specially designed to help you maintain control while painting.
2. FoamPRO Fine Finisher Roller
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Roller
Quantity: 1
Size: 4-inch length
Material: Foam
Best Feature: Smooth finish
If you’d prefer to use a roller on your exterior doors, the FoamPRO Fine Finish Roller is a great option. It’s made with high-density foam that absorbs and releases paint well, giving you great coverage. It also works well with all types of enamel paints.
3. Wagner SprayTech Control Spray Double Duty Paint Sprayer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Sprayer
Quantity: 1
Size: 1.88 kg
Best Feature: Ease of use
If you’re looking to invest in a sprayer for your exterior doors, the Wagner SprayTech Control Spray Double Duty Paint Sprayer is a great option. This sprayer is high volume, low pressure (H.V.L.P.), helping you to obtain a smooth finish in an easy way. It works great both indoors and outdoors, as well as with a variety of paints.
4. Wooster Ultra/Pro Firm Shortcut Angle Sash Paintbrush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 2-inch
Material: Nylon-polyester blend
Best Feature: Comfortable handle
For the perfect brush for cutting-in the outer edges of your door, choose the Wooster Ultra/Pro Firm Shortcut Angle Sash Paintbrush. This brush is made with quality material that will help you achieve a line-free finish. It also has a short, flexible handle that will help you maintain comfort and control.
5. Purdy White Dove Jumbo Mini Roller Covers
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Roller
Quantity: 2
Size: ⅜-inch nap, 4-inch length
Material: Woven Dralon
Best Feature: Versatility
For those preferring fabric rollers, this 2-pack of Purdy White Dove Jumbo Mini Roller Covers offers great value. The roller covers are made of quality fabric that will help you apply a beautiful paint job to your exterior doors. They offer a lint-free finish, and work well with all types of paint.
6. Wooster Silver Tip Angle Sash Paintbrush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 2-inch
Material: CT polyester
Best Feature: Softness
If you’re concerned about leaving brush marks behind, opt for the Wooster Silver Tip Angle Sash Paintbrush. The bristles on this brush are super soft, helping to eliminate marks while you paint. The brush is also made with quality materials that help it last for a long time.
7. Bestt Liebco Master Foam 4 Piece Mini Roller Kit
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Roller
Quantity: 2
Size: 4-inch length
Material: Foam
Best Feature: Value
Another great option for a foam roller is the Bestt Liebco Master Foam 4 Piece Mini Roller Kit. It comes with everything you need to successfully roll paint for the first time. That includes two foam roller covers, which will help you to achieve super smooth coverage.
8. Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Sprayer
Quantity: 1
Size: 6.8 kg
Best Feature: Quality
For those willing to invest in it, the Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer will help you tackle all of your projects. This sprayer is designed to allow you to easily adjust the paint flow, helping you achieve the coverage you desire. It also has a hose that allows you to spray paint directly from the bucket.
9. Purdy XL Cub Angular Trim Paintbrush
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Brush
Quantity: 1
Size: 2-inch
Material: Nylon-polyester blend
Best Feature: Versatility
Another great brush for cutting in the edges of your exterior doors is the Purdy XL Cub Angular Trim Paintbrush. This brush is made to work well with all paints and provide smooth, full coverage to the surface. It also has a shorter handle designed with comfort in mind.
10. WHIZZ Series Microlon Mini Roller Cover 10-Pack
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Type: Roller
Quantity: 10
Size: ⅜-inch nap, 4-inch length
Material: Microlon fabric
Best Feature: Smooth finish
The WHIZZ Series Microlon Mini Roller Cover 10-Pack is another great option for fabric rollers. These rollers are made with microlon fabric to help you achieve beautiful, smooth coverage. It’s a great deal for those who plan on doing a lot of painting.
What’s the best type of paintbrush for exterior doors?
In order to narrow your search for the right tools, you need to know what type of brush to use to paint front doors or exterior doors. Whether you want to use a brush, roller, or spray, these are the qualities you should look for:
- Brushes — Use a 2-inch angled sash brush with synthetic bristles. This will help you maintain control and achieve a smooth finish while cutting-in or painting the edges of your doors.
- Rollers — Use a mini roller cover (4-inch length) that either has a low nap (⅜-inch) or is made of foam. This will help you achieve even coverage on the surface(s) of your exterior doors in less time.
- Sprayers — Use a high-power, lightweight sprayer that has a long hose and/or is easy to maneuver. This will allow you to comfortably complete your project while distributing a beautiful coat on your exterior doors.
Best way to paint exterior doors: brush, roller, or spray?
The best way to paint your exterior doors is actually to use a brush and a roller together, as each paint tool serves its own purpose. Brushes are ideal when it comes to cutting-in around your door and for painting the edges of the door and any panels. A brush will give you the most control, blend in well with the rest of the door, and help you get anything a roller might miss.
You should then use a roller to cover the main surface(s) of the door. This will help speed up the process and give your doors a smooth, even coverage.
You can opt for a sprayer instead if you want to work quickly and still achieve great coverage. However, be aware that sprayers offer less control, so you might end up making a mess. Sprayers can also be pretty expensive to purchase or rent.
Choose a brush if…
- You’re planning to cut-in or otherwise paint the edges of your door.
- You want to easily achieve full coverage.
- You want to create a brush mark look.
Choose a roller if…
- You’re painting your doors in their entirety.
- You want to speed up the process.
- You want a super-smooth finish.
Choose a spray if…
- You want to paint your doors quickly.
- You have money to spend.
- You’re not concerned about making a mess.
Best way to paint front doors and exterior doors without marks
Once you have your tools of choice, you need to plan ahead to make sure you get the best results on your exterior doors. Here are some tips for how to paint your exterior doors without marks:
- Check the weather — Plan ahead so that you can complete your project without rain or humidity interfering with your painting.
- Sand your doors — Using sandpaper on your doors will eliminate the old paint so that the new paint will stick better.
- Clean your doors — Use a damp cloth to clean your doors. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that could appear in the paint.
- Protect the surrounding area — If you’re painting near anything that you want to avoid getting paint on, cover it with painter’s tape or sheets so you can focus on painting without worry.
- Apply primer — Select an appropriate primer to apply before your paint. This will help your paint appear smooth.
- Use only what you need — Only dip brush bristles into the paint ⅓ of the way, and use a tray for your rollers to skim off excess paint. This will help prevent any unnecessary blotches or uneven areas.
- Use your brushes properly — When painting, stand close to your doors while holding your brushes at an angle and moving your rollers up and down using the “M” technique. This will give you the most control and best application of your paint.
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge you need about painting your exterior doors, it’s time to get started. If you think you might prefer to hire a professional, the City Painters are here to help. Contact us here or give us a call for a quote.