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Step 1
Prepare the surface. Preparation involves all of the final steps prior to painting/refinishing, including cleaning, sanding, stripping, masking, priming, and other related tasks.
Keep in mind that it is foolish to apply any kind of finish to a surface that is NOT properly prepared. The paint work will look bad or not hold up. Thorough preparation pays off in material savings, job quality, and satisfaction.
If the original finish is in good condition, it should be lightly sanded or scuffed after washing to remove old debris and to smooth out small imperfections. If the paint surface is in poor condition, the paint should be removed down to the bare metal. In this way, a good foundation for the new finish is achieved. Before refinishing can begin, the surface must be properly prepared.
You Must:
1. Wash the surface with soap and water. All surfaces!
2. Clean the area to be refinished with wax and grease remover.
3. Mask off what's not going to be painted
4. Using a tack rag, tack off surfaces to be painted
5. Check that all surface preparation has been completed -
Step 2
If the surface is bare metal, get an self-etching primer and spray the door first. If all you had to do is scuff the old paint and changing the color of the door, you should spray a sealer before painting.
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Step 3
You now should be ready to paint, I prefer a single stage urethane enamel. The paint choice is yours. Automotive paints hold up to the environment very well in most circumstances.
