What kind of paint for a metal door?

[Reel Northern Bass]

Just wondering if anyone has painted a metal door in their house, and what kind of paint did you use? We just finally got around to finishing up the painting in our house (a year after we moved in.... ) and the door sticks out like a sore thumb. I want to replace the whole thing, but we need a new stove for now, so the door has to wait.

So what kind of paint do you use for a metal door? I know that you can't just use any kind of paint because it won't come out right, and google did nothing to help me out.

[RoadrashPaul]

Just go to sherwin williams (if you have one) or lowes/hd and pick a color and get it in a good exterior grade paint. You will probably only need a quart. I would prime first if not already. Oil based would be best but takes forever to dry and will stink up the whole house. I used Valspar Exterior Latex (from Lowes) on ours and it has held up fine for 2 1/2 years now in direct sunlight.

[brushnjigs]

If it is an interior door any good acrylic will work fine. If I remember correctly Stanley doors require acrylic or will void the warranty. If it is an exterior door with a magnet seal or any other kind of vinyl seal you will have to use an oil based enamel. The vinyl seal will melt into the acrylic paint.

[Reel Northern Bass]

It is an exterior door, the front door leading into the house, gets a pretty good amount of sunshine hitting it. It's well past the warranty period I'm willing to bet, and the previous owners dog scratched it up to hell. Just going to give it a face lift til we get a new door next year.

How do I tell if it's a magnet seal? Probably a dumb question, but I've never heard of that before.

[Reel Northern Bass]

Ended up going with the Valspar 100% latex exterior paint from lowes. Found a sticker on the inside door jam with manufacturers recommendations for paint, and it said 100% latex exterior. One coat of primer, two coats of paint, and the door looks like it's brand new again.

Thanks guys, I'll try to post up some pictures once it's 100% done, only got the inside done on Wednesday, it's been raining non-stop since then. May be able to wrap it up on Sunday when the sun returns.

[201pro]

I paint for a living and we only use latex on steel residential doors. It has enough flex to move with the expansion of the steel door. Plus as you found out, most mfgr's recommend latex. Just let it dry good and don't go too dark on color with lot's of sun on the door. To keep from stick at first, use some dishwashing liquid on your finger and put it on the door seals. let it dry before shutting the door. It will keep it from sticking and not show on the door....

[BassOrBlast]

Russ, that dishwashing liquid tip is Excellent!! It would never have DAWN'ed on me to try that---