How to Gesso a Masonite

You can use gesso to prime a Masonite door for painting.

Gesso is an economical primer applied to a surface before the first coat of paint. Priming Masonite doors is a good idea, as a primer protects a surface and gives it texture so that paint holds better and doesn't sink in to a wood surface. While gesso was originally made from rabbit skin, there are many non-animal based varieties available on the market. You can use acrylic gesso to prime for both oil and acrylic paints, but if you're using an oil-based paint, you might consider oil-based gesso, which tends to be higher in quality.

Things You'll Need

• Paint brush
• Fine grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Follow the mixing directions on your can of gesso. Some varieties of gesso can be used straight from the can. If you are using powdered or concentrated gesso, you will need to mix it with water or paint thinner before applying it.

2. Paint a coat of gesso onto one side of your Masonite door and let it dry.

3. Lightly sand your surface before applying a second coat of gesso. Brush the second coat of gesso in the opposite direction from your first coat, so that it crosshatches.

4. Allow your second coat of gesso to dry and lightly sand the surface again. Continue applying coats of gesso, letting them dry and sanding them until the gesso coatings form an opaque surface.

5. Repeat the process with the other side of the door, and the edges of your door. When your gesso coatings form an opaque surface all over the door, you are ready to paint.

References

• Express Yourself: Gesso -- what it is and how to use it

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish