Monday, July 20, 2009

The Black Door

Oh how I wish I could have sound effects for that title.  Think echoes.  Anyway, I’ve been asked about the back garage door by several, so I guess it’s time to share my wealth of knowledge (again, echoes here).


black door
 
The #1 piece of advice I can give you is to get the paint I used.  The paint store lady swore by this, and boy was she right!  I guess she works there for a reason. I did nothing to this door but wipe it down with some light soap and water.  No prep, no sanding, no priming.  As a matter of fact, there is no priming needed for this paint.
IMG_6290
I only bought a quart of it, and it has lasted through the back door, my barstools, and most of my bathroom cabinets.  I still have about 1/4 left!
painted chairs
As you can see, I did not paint the interior.  I taped off the deadbolt and door handle.  For the cut in grooves, I used a cheapo sponge brush (see below).  For the flat parts, I used a sponge roller.  I SWEAR by sponge rollers.  They give such a smooth finish, and there’s no marks left behind.
IMG_6306
Just a little note…I did sand the chairs down.  I did it before I knew about this paint, but I still would have (just not as much).  I wouldn’t necessarily recommend never sanding.  I just don’t think this paint needs much of it.
IMG_6304 Good luck with the black doors, ladies!

62 comments:

  1. We use that paint on all of our black kitchen cabinets, islands and furniture pieces. It is so wonderful!!!!!! They do have the same product in 2 really nice red shades also that we love!!!!

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  2. I am coming out of lurkdom to post a big thank you! Our front door is already black, but it really needs to be re-painted. I'm all over this!

    And hey, if you want to do a how-to on patching extra holes one may make when trying to play Bob The Builder and install shelves, I won't hold it against you :O).

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  3. YAY!
    My door is supposed to be black. It's gray. Silly "black" paint from Lowes. It makes me sad. This will make me happy.
    Thank you!

    BTW is it pricey?

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  4. Is it right that your door leading in from the garage is so awesome looking?! (Frankly, I'm not sure my front door looks THAT good!) I love it!

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  5. Everyday I walk into my yuck grey primed door in my garage. I'm painting it. Shhh...don't tell my husband.

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  6. ps...the white in the bathroom looks TERRIBLE!!! Total rental - I hate it. I'm going to get the turquoise and have the store 1/2 the color. I think it'll be fun with the orange rugs. THEN the baseboards had to be torn out too...grrr! So much for my quick weekend project!

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  7. This is my next project actually! I'm going to use paint I already have -- I hope it holds up!!

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  8. Oh gosh...I can't remember the price. Maybe around $15.00? Sorry. It's worth every penny.

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  9. Hey,
    I love the black door. I just painted the door in my garage black too, and I love it. I used a Valspar paint, and it worked great for me. I like the numbers on your door. I was thinking of stenciling "welcome" or something on mine since everyone enters through my garage instead of my front door! I hope to post pictures of mine soon.
    Blessings,
    Traci

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  10. Thanks for sharing! Love your door and barstools!! My front door is black and in need of repainting....and I want to order the address #'s too.

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  11. I so don't need another project in my life, but I so want to do this!

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  12. Is your garage really that organized? Oh geez, you put me to major shame. I love the door. I've got to get some of that paint!

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  13. Hi Chris, I just found your blog and have enjoyed browsing your projects, bargain finds, and had me laughing out loud a few times :)

    I love how the door turned out; I'd love to paint my front door a luscious black or red, but the ol' HOA is fond of the beautiful blue door they hung...LOL...think they'll notice??

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  14. Just what I needed to read. I have 2 bar stools that I want to paint black and was trying to figure out the 'easiest' way to do it. Great!!!

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  15. Okay... do you know how many people are going to paint their doors black now! LOL... I AM ONE OF THEM!!! Wonder how loudly hubby will sigh when he learns of the newest project...
    Thanks!!
    ~Amy

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  16. Very nice Chris! :)
    Everything looks so crisp and classic painted black. Love it!

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  17. I think I'm ready to take the plunge!

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  18. Your door looks just perfect. Eveyone comes in our garage door too. I just can't seem to get my husband to keep them closed. LOL. Another blogger mentioned that they have it in red too. Think I'll check that out.

    Charla

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  19. Thanks for the great advice!! I'm going to buy a can and do my door!!

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  20. Thanks so much!! The door that came with our house is a sick orangey-red (with a yellow house, bleh). Can't wait to pick up a quart of this and get to work.

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  21. Thanks for sharing the paint you used, Chris. I'm going to want a black paint for furniture I want to change up for my future home office, and your door and chairs have the look I want.

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  22. Your door looks just amazing.
    sandy toe

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  23. Is your door metal or wood? Thanks for the info. I saw the post before and your garage door is fabulous! simplythisandthat@verizon.net

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  24. they painted my interior and exterior front door yesterday black! i love it. i read on gardenweb where someone said they would never paint a door black because it looks like a deep dark hole, but i love it!

    i'll hopefully post more pics of the house soon. our cabinets are suppose to be finished today!

    hip hip horray!

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  25. I needed your paint lady. Last year, I painted my door this amazing green. It obviously wasn't the right kind as it dripped and ran and then began to peel the next day. UGH!

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  26. You totally inspired me to paint our garage door. Our front door is already black and it just gave it a finished look! Thanks for the inspiration: http://courtbaker.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-craft-mojo.html

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  27. I have a rollaway kitchen island, that would really look great with this black paint. Thanks so much for posting this.

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  28. Even better than the black door are the awesome numbers on the door!

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  29. thanks for the info! Now I just need a door to paint:)

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  30. OMG I love it. Nice work. I'm feeling inspired. lol

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  31. I love that black door! It makes your garage so inviting...I never thought a garage could be inviting - but yours is!

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  32. I absolutely love your garage door entry! Do you recommend painting a front porch door black or is that too bold? Our house is a light sage green and the front door is a very boring darker shade of green.

    By the way, check out our nursery room {on a small budget} if you have time:
    http://mommatobug.blogspot.com/2009/07/nursery-room-on-small-budget.html

    Thanks!

    -Desiree

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  33. Quick question on your garage walls - did you prime over the drywall/taping before you painted? Did you use an interior paint? Any advice would be appreciated!

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  34. Ahhhh yes the black door! I love it and I'm totally copying you for my front door. At least all the nasty fingerprints and dust won't show up as much. Thanks for the paint idea!!! :)

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  35. How divine! And those numbers -- soooooooo vintagey cool.

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  36. Dear Anne...

    There's no access to your profile, and your comment doesn't provide an e-mail address. I hope you see this! As for the garage walls, I just used leftover paint from my living room and mudroom (Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore). I took a broom to wipe away the cobwebs and painted!! No prep at ALL, but it's one of the best things I've done! I encourage others! :) Hope that helps!

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  37. Thanks so much for sharing this tip! I've been wanting to paint my door for awhile, but just wasn't sure what to use.

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  38. I love it! I'm inspired to paint mine! The garage door gets so dirty! Black is the perfect color!

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  39. Do you know if they have this in white? Has anyone re-done a baby crib with it by chance? Is it safe for babies that might "chew" on the crib later.

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  40. I have had the paint sitting in my garage waiting for me for AGES! I am dying to have a black front door, so what is my freakin problem? Yours looks amazing...love the house number! I need to stop making tissue paper pom poms for 2 seconds and paint my stinkin door.

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  41. LOVE the door and the chairs. I do have to say, though, that it's just UNNATURAL for anyone's garage to be that clean! Good grief, mine is disgusting. :)

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  42. I absolutely love that door & the decal!

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  43. So glad you reposted on this. It is on My List and this will help me know exactly what to do. LOVE IT!!

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  44. absolutely amazing!!! and i simply adore the numbers :-)

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  45. Looks amazing...thanks for sharing...I am working up the nerve to try my laundry room cabinets!! I think I can...I think I can...
    Blessings!
    Jill

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  46. This is exactly how my front door looks! Black with similar style numbers! Love it!!

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  47. We are moving to a new house next week. I'm so going to paint my door black. What a great idea, love the look.

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  48. This is the only black paint I use. I have painted wood cubbies in my garage, bookcases, and tons of other furniture with it. The best part, with this paint there are NO FINGERPRINTS! It does smell a bit odd, and of course it looks dark green when it is applied, but it is the most durable, true black paint I have found yet. Love your door!

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  49. Oh, how I love your black-painted furnitures. I wish it would also look amazing in our own homes. Thanks for sharing the tips. :)

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  50. Since reading this post, I can't enter my house through the garage without thinking of when I am going to do this. I just love it. Fabulous!

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  51. I did it, please see my post :)
    Holly

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  52. Chris, no sorry not exact can, but close. I'll post a pic on the same blog post, and yes feel free to shared it. I <3 this result !

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  53. I haven't been able to find Benjamin Moore Ironclad paint...can you help me?

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  54. Can you please tell me where you found the numbers? Thank you! I love this project!

    bkjohnson24@tx.rr.com

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  55. I LOVE, LOVE your door! Can you tell me where you got the numbers??? LOVE THEM.

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  56. I've been wanting to repaint my already black-but-faded front door. So glad for the paint tip. Yours looks great!

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  57. This is fabulous! Where did you get the numbers on the door? They are great.

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  58. Thank you!!! I just painted my door last week -- it looks great :) Thanks, too, for the picture of the can of paint. . .I printed it up and took it to my Benjamin Moore store so they knew EXACTLY what I was looking for :)

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  59. Um wow...you are officially my hero! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog! :)

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  60. Finally went for it! I love it! Just need to get the numbers.

    http://www.sabennett.com/wp/?p=5231

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  61. Interesting post you got here. It would be great to read something more concerning this theme. Thanks for sharing this material.
    Sexy Lady
    London night life escort

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  62. Can I just use this straight on my wooden chairs without sanding? Your chairs look amazing!!

    Jenna
    ormegirl3@gmail.com

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