How to Stain or Paint a Composite Door Frame

If you plan to stain or paint a composite door frame, you need to know the proper preparation steps and the appropriate application techniques or you may end up with a messy, disappointing result.

Staining a Composite Door Frame

1. Wipe down the composite door frame with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Allow 15 minutes for the mineral spirits to evaporate.

2. Cover the flooring with masking paper. Tape the paper down to prevent it from blowing up and sticking to the wet stain.

3. Apply blue painter's tape to any areas you want protected from stain. Frame the walls surrounding the composite door frame with blue painter's tape if you are an inexperienced painter and believe you may have problems with brush control.

4. Pour the stain into the 5-gallon bucket. Fill it to about two-thirds capacity.

5. Apply stain to the composite door frame using the 3- to 4-inch oil-based paintbrush. Brush vertically. Do not overapply as stain is thin in density and can easily splatter and drip.

6. Allow the stain to dry for two hours. Apply additional coats for a darker finish.

Painting a Composite Door Frame

1. Cover the flooring with masking paper. Tape the paper down to prevent it from blowing up and sticking to the wet paint.

2. Apply blue painter's tape to any areas you want protected from paint. Frame the walls surrounding the composite door frame with blue painter's tape if you are an inexperienced painter and believe you may have problems with brush control.

3. Pour the primer into the 5-gallon bucket. Fill it about halfway.

4. Apply primer to the composite door frame using a 3- to 4-inch latex-based paintbrush. Brush vertically, being careful to smooth any runs or drips.

5. Allow the primer to dry for two hours.

6. Clean the paintbrush with warm water. Shake the brush vigorously to remove excess primer.

7. Apply paint to the composite door frame in the same manner in which you applied primer.

8. Allow the paint to dry for two hours. Apply additional coats if necessary.

Tip

Although you may use plastic drop cloths en lieu of masking paper, it is not advised. Masking paper slips easily beneath the door and fits more accurately around the door frame, while plastic drop cloths tend to bunch up and can interfere with the painting process. It is not necessary to remove the door from the frame when staining or painting as it is generally quite simple to work around. However, if you'd prefer to remove it, you can do so by using a flathead screwdriver to slip the bolts from the hinges.

Warning

Never paint over raw wood without priming it first or you will have problems with adhesion.