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:

Magic Brush said...

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!!!!

Kim said...

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).

DESJ and Company said...

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?

Mrs. E said...

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!

Kristen said...

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

Kristen said...

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!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

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

Chris said...

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

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

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

~Amy Rose said...

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.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

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

Karli @ RockyBella said...

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!

Rhonda said...

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??

Kari said...

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!!!

Amy@TheLemonCottage said...

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

Melissa Miller said...

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

Jill@Barnes Yard said...

I think I'm ready to take the plunge!

Unknown said...

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

Tracey said...

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

slip4 said...

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.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

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.

Shell in your Pocket said...

Your door looks just amazing.
sandy toe

Jodi Nelson said...

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

The Runyans said...

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!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

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!

Courtney Baker said...

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

Valencia Jones-Edwards said...

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

Laura said...

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

To The Moon and Back said...

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

Ms Perfect said...

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

Danielle (Life with the Hewitt Family) said...

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

Desiree said...

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

Anne said...

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!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

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!!! :)

Unknown said...

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

Chris said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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.

Grace @ One Craft Girl's Corner said...

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

Kelsey said...

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.

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

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.

Unknown said...

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. :)

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love that door & the decal!

Farmgirl Paints said...

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

Bluebird said...

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

Jill said...

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

Denise @ Life on Stepping Stone Lane said...

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

Sheila said...

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.

Laurie said...

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!

UPrinting said...

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

Maureen said...

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!

ohhollyf said...

I did it, please see my post :)
Holly

ohhollyf said...

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 !

Craig and Paulette O'Neal said...

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

The Johnson Family 5 said...

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

bkjohnson24@tx.rr.com

Holly said...

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

Karen said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Jennibell said...

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 :)

Lovely Little Nest said...

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

Amy Bennett said...

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

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

Anonymous said...

Interesting post you got here. It would be great to read something more concerning this theme. Thanks for sharing this material.
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Anonymous said...

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

Jenna
ormegirl3@gmail.com

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