Exterior Painting · Jun 2020
Front double door with leaded glass painted black
Front double door with leaded glass painted black. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Jun 2020. This exterior painting project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Weathered Wood Front Door and Sidelight With Leaded Glass Painted Gloss Black
This front entry sits in a light brick alcove under two coach lights. It has a wide front door and a matching sidelight, both with large panels of leaded, beveled glass and raised panels below. Before the work, the wood stain had worn badly. The finish was peeling and cracked, the bottom rails and panel edges were bleached and rough, and bare wood showed in many spots. The in-progress photo shows the door and sidelight coated in an even gray primer, with the keypad lock and handle wrapped in yellow tape and drop cloths on the step. In the after photo, the door, sidelight, frame and brick mold are a deep, glossy black. The raised panels look crisp and smooth. The black finish frames the gold-toned leaded glass, and the black keypad deadbolt and handle blend right into the door, with a brass hinge pin showing on the side.
How We Refinished This Front Door in Black
- We laid drop cloths on the step and taped off the light brick, the threshold and both coach lights around the entry before any sanding.
- We wrapped the keypad lock, handle and hinges with tape so they stayed clean and free of primer and paint through every coat.
- We scraped and sanded away the peeling, cracked finish down to sound wood, paying close attention to the raised panels and bottom rails.
- We masked the leaded glass along every edge of the wood frame so primer and paint would not touch the glass or the metal caming.
- We primed all bare and weathered wood with an exterior primer, which seals the wood and gives the black paint a smooth, even base.
- We brushed two coats of gloss black on the door, sidelight, frame and brick mold, then removed the tape and cleaned the glass.
Black Paint Colors Similar to This Front Door
If you want a black front door like this one, these are similar colors to consider. They are not the exact color used on this door.
Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black SW 6258
A true black close to this door. It looks sharp in gloss next to light brick and gold-toned leaded glass.
Sherwin-Williams Caviar SW 6990
A slightly softer black. It still reads as black on a front door but feels a little warmer beside tan or cream brick.
Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore SW 7069
A deep charcoal for owners who want a dark door without pure black. It pairs well with dark hardware and coach lights.
Questions About Painting a Front Door Black
Can a stained wood front door be painted?
Yes. The old finish needs to be cleaned, scraped where it is loose and sanded so primer can bond. Bare or weathered wood should be primed with an exterior primer. A wood door that is peeling, like this one, often looks better painted than restained, because paint covers sun damage and uneven color.
What sheen is best for a black front door?
Many owners pick gloss or semi-gloss for front doors. A higher sheen looks rich, highlights raised panels and wipes clean easily. It also shows brush marks and dents more, so careful prep matters. Satin is a softer option if you want less shine.
Will a black door get too hot in the sun?
Dark colors absorb more heat, which can matter on doors facing strong afternoon sun. A covered entry, like this brick alcove, helps a lot. Some door makers list limits on dark colors, so it is smart to check, especially for fiberglass or doors with large glass panels.
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