How to Paint Bifold Doors

Bifold doors take up a lot of wall space, and can even dominate the appearance of a room. A fresh coat of bright white paint instantly brighten a room's look, or a subtle color can help closet folding doors blend in with the other décor. The process takes a little time and effort; but at the end of the day you'll have beautiful bifold doors that look brand new. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Painting tarp, preferably cloth
• Open doorway, with room to paint on either side
• Mild soap and water
• Clean rags and dust cloths
• Screwdriver
• Primer/sealer (optional)
• Semi- or high-gloss paint
• 2 1/2- to 3-inch brush
• 4 inch mini paint roller
• Paint roller tray
• Rubber-backed throw rug (optional)

Preparation

1. Gather supplies. (See Things You'll Need list). Lay tarp out in an available doorway.

2. Remove one closet door from track. Bring to tarp area.

3. Lean folding door against doorway. Remove closet knobs with appropriate-sized screwdriver.

4. Dust door surfaces completely, including the top edge.

5. Thoroughly clean the surfaces you'll be painting with soap and water, to remove dirt and smudges. Wipe dry.

Painting

6. 
   Lean door on an angle against the doorframe.

   Fold door in half and lay top edge against the door frame. If tarp is over carpet, the peg on one side should sink into the carpet and balance won't be an issue. If on wood or tile flooring, use some folded up rags under the door to help balance and keep it from sliding. (See Tips section).

7. Pour paint into roller tray. Load roller, then roll on angled section of tray to remove excess paint.

8. 
   Start with edges of the bifold doors.

   Roll paint onto exposed edges of the doors, working from the top down. Apply paint thinly, to avoid drips that might later cause the bifold doors to stick together. Be careful and avoid the newly painted edge when stepping over doors to paint other side. Follow paint manufacturer's instructions for necessary drying time.

9. 
   Rest bifold doors in a V-shape on another door.

   When paint is dry, open door into a V-shape. If possible, lean against a closed room door. (See Tips section).

10. Paint one panel at a time. Start at the top and work down, painting a third of the door at a time.

11. Roller the paint onto the first section. Paint in the direction of the wood grain.

12. If the doors have decorative panels or insets, use the paint brush for the detail work first. Then roller over all the flat areas, and blend in brush marks where possible.

13. Wipe excess paint from brush. Use the paint brush to smooth out any excess paint that may have rolled onto the door edges and hinge areas.

14. Let dry. Repeat all steps for additional doors, or a second coat if necessary.

15. Reattach door knobs and rehang the newly painted bifold doors on the track.

Tips & Warnings

• Leaning the folding door against a painted wall could cause damage to the wall, and any paint splatter would be hard to remove. Leaning the door against a semi-gloss painted or stained room door allows you to easily wipe off any paint splatter with a damp rag, or clean off with an all-purpose cleaner later.
• If working on a wood floor, lay down a rubber-backed throw rug first before putting the painting tarp down. This will help with traction and balance when you set up the door to be painted.
• Semi- or high-gloss paints work well for bifold doors because they are more durable and easier to clean. Check the paint manufacturer's guidelines to make sure you are buying the right paint for the surface you're planning to use it on. See Resources section for additional help.
• If painting the door the same color it was, there's no need to paint the top or back as these areas are rarely visible. However, if painting bare wood or a new color, you should paint the entire door. Using the Painting steps listed, paint in three stages: first the edges of the door, then the top edge and back of the door, then the front of the door.

Resources

• Muralo can help you choose the right paint.
• Get more painting tips and supplies Ace Hardware