Can you paint gloss doors?

You can paint over most gloss doors with good results, but the level of finish you can achieve depends on a few factors. These include what the door is made from, how old the gloss paint is, and what condition it is in.

Timber doors

It is best practice to sand down timber doors to remove the old gloss paint before repainting. This will give you the best finish. However, old gloss paint can be painted over with new paint if the old paint is in good condition.

UPVC and composite doors

Unlike timber doors, UPVC and composite doors that leave the factory with a gloss finish aren’t designed to be sanded. These doors can be painted over with new paint. Filler can be used to fill scratches and mend surface defects before painting.

General rules and notes

• You will need to use a compatible paint so the old and new paints bond to form a durable finish. When painting over gloss, solvent-based paints work well.
• The biggest consideration you should have when painting over gloss is creating a stable bond between the two paints. This also rings true with kitchen cupboards. It is best practice to use a primer to create this bond. Some paints (such as those we use) act as the primer on the first coat.
• The best finish is achieved with spray painting which should be performed with an electric spray-painting gun, NOT a spray can. This technique eliminates brush lines (as with brush painting) and stippling marks (as with roller painting). You will get the best coverage with a spray-painting gun.
• It is not strictly necessary to remove a door to paint it, but it does make the job easier, especially indoors.
• If you are painting an external door, it’s important to choose a paint with a high level of UV resistance.
• Timber doors nearly always need sanding before they are repainted. This is the result of the old paint not bonding with the timber on a molecular level (which is what happens with UPVC doors at the factory). Timber that is painted over will be prone to durability issues over time.