Interior Door Makeover: Pro Tips for Creating a Dramatic Gloss Finish

If you’re bored of standard white interior doors and desire a dramatic makeover, sleek black gloss doors might be just what you need! For years, black interior doors have been trending for their ability to blend well into contemporary, industrial, minimalist, eclectic, and vintage interiors. A black gloss door can elevate a space with modern sophistication or create a stunning focal point.

In this tutorial, Jim shares his pro tips on how to create a custom gloss door finish using Pure Artisan™ Gloss paints. This project includes expert advice on tools, paint application, taping, and color mixing!

Supply List

Micro Brush for Panel Details
Artist Brush for Moulding Details
Painter’s Tape

STEP ONE

Surface Preparation

For this project we’re using a second-hand door Jim found at a thrift store. Salvaged interior doors are a great affordable canvas for creativity when developing a custom look for your doors.

Since this is an old previously painted door, Jim gave the door a good wipe down and sanding prior to painting. Sanding before paint application helps create a nice smooth surface.

Although black paint can help hide flaws, the reflective nature of gloss finishes can sometimes accentuate a surface’s imperfections. When working on previously finished or painted surfaces, always best to do a light sanding and a test spot.

Before applying paint, always make sure surfaces are free of cleaner residue, dust, dirt, and debris.

STEP TWO

Shake & Stir

With the lid firmly secured and closed, shake the container of Pure Artisan™ paints. Open container, then stir from the bottom up before use. Allow all bubbles to settle before application.

STEP THREE

Application – Let’s Get Painting!

Pure Artisan™ Paint can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed. Since he’s creating a single, unique, custom finished door, Jim opted to use a brush for this makeover. If painting several doors, you may want to consider applying the paint with a roller or sprayer to expedite the process.

Using the Artisan Enhancements 37mm Flat Brush™, Jim applied Pure Artisan™ Black Gloss Paint.

Our paint is formulated for excellent flow, coverage, and hide. When painting large surfaces with repetitive strokes, using a paint with great flow helps reduce the occurrence of drag and wrist fatigue. Since our paint is highly pigmented, the salvaged door only needed two coats of Pure Artisan™ paint for full coverage.

If a second coat is needed, make sure the first coat is dry before applying additional coats. For optimal results, allow each coat of paint to dry overnight before applying additional coats of paint.

STEP FOUR

Mix & Apply Custom Dark Grey to Panels

To create a monochromatic focal point, Jim wanted to add a bit more detail and “pop” to our door.

Adding white to a base color (in this case black) can create a range of lighter variations of the base color. By mixing Pure Artisan™ Gloss Paint Black and Pure Artisan™ Gloss White, Jim created two additional colors of Grey gloss paint.

Once the second coat of black gloss paint was completely dry, Jim applied his custom dark grey color to the interior panels of the door using our Micro Brush. The precision cut tapered bristles of the Micro Brush are perfect for cutting the panel edges and clean lines.

The next step, application of the custom light grey color, involves taping aka masking. Always allow ample time for paint layers to dry before adhering painter’s tape. Even the best low tact, easy release painter’s tape can lift paint if the surface isn’t dry enough.

Allow the dark grey paint to dry a minimum of 48 hours before taping.

STEP FIVE

Mix & Apply Custom Light Grey to Panel Mouldings

By adding more white paint to the custom dark grey mixture, Jim made a lighter grey. Using an artist brush, Jim applied the light grey color to the panel mouldings to create a dimensional highlight.

Before the paint is completely dry, remove the painter’s tape. Remember, always pull tape to the side away from the painted edge. Never pull tape in an upwards motion which can risk damaging the layers below and freshly painted areas.

For best results and cure times, let the paint dry for 1 -2 weeks before use.