How To Paint Louvered Doors (Step-by-Step Guide)

Before You Paint Louvered Doors

Matching Paint Colors

Match the new paint to the original color. You can go to Home Depot or Lowes with a paint sample that they can match for you. This will take hours off the project as you won’t need to sand and prime. It will also help make any missed spots harder to detect.

Using the Right Type of Paint

It is best to cover up old paint with the same type of paint, i.e. latex on top of latex.

Brush Sizes for Painting A Louvered Door

Keep a variety of different brush sizes at hand. This will help with painting the slats and the sides in a uniform way. Make sure one of your brushes is no wider than the slats themselves and angled, that way they can reach all the way to the edge.

Protecting Your Floor from Paint

Protect your floor! Put down newspaper, an old sheet, or a drop cloth that extends several inches around all sides. This will help with any paint dripping that occurs and save you the hassle of having to clean up as you go.

Preparing an Unfinished Wood Door for Painting

If you have a new, unpainted louvered door, these are the steps to prep it for painting:

Step 1: Use Sandpaper

Run sandpaper over the door so that it gives a surface the paint can adhere to. Make sure to wipe clean the door afterward to remove any dust that has accumulated on the surface.

Step 2: Applying a Base Coat

Apply a base coat of primer to the door. This will stop the wood from absorbing the paint and allow for a more even coat.

Step 3: Sand It Down Again

Once the primer is applied and has fully dried, rub-down the door with sandpaper to make sure there aren’t any blemishes and the door is smooth. Using a clean, dry brush, remove any of the dust left from sanding.

Step 4: Apply an Undercoat Layer

This will prevent you from seeing the visible wood grain and give a smoother finish. Once the undercoat is dry, run a hand block over the door, lightly scratching the surface.

Repainting an Old Louvered Door

It is important to wipe down the door before painting so there is a clean surface for the paint to adhere to. Remove or tape over all the hardware and with a cloth and cleaning agent, wipe clean any grease, dirt, and dust.

Skipping this step could cause the paint to flake off and peel away later.

Step 1: Use a Roller

Starting with a roller, use enough paint to coat but not to cause drips. Bring it down over the slats and sides, top to bottom. Do not go up with the roller, only down.

Step 2: Painting the Border

Once the frame and the slats are covered in an even coating, take the 2” brush and use it on the wider areas. Go all the way to the edge, painting one area at a time. Clean up any drips and irregularities as you go along.

Step 3: Painting the Slats

Take your smaller brush and going horizontally along the slats, make sure they have an even coat of paint. Use the angled brush to go all the way to the ends, getting into the corners and any part of the slat that is hidden by the one above it.

Try to use the paint left by the roller and not load the brush itself, as it may create drips. This is why using a small brush the size of each slat is important. Regularly check the other side of the door for drips.

Step 4: Completing Your Louvered Door Paint Project

When the paint has fully dried on your door, look it over for any missed areas or drips and fix those as needed. If everything looks good, reattach or clean up all the hardware and remove the tape and drop cloth from your work area.

Spray Painting a Painted Louvered Door

Spray painting louvered doors is an option that requires a little more prep work but cuts down on the dry time.

Tape (or remove) handles and hinges. You can paint the hinges but if you decide not to, it’s best to remove all hardware that you want to stay clean. Not only does this save you the time of taping and possibly cleaning them afterward, but it takes having to paint around them out of the equation.

Step 1: Remove the Door

Take the door off the hinges and remove, or tape over, any of the hardware. Place the door in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside. Lay down a drop cloth and place the doors on this as painting flat will help reduce drips.

Step 2: Scrape Off the Old Paint

You will need to scrape off the old paint to ensure an even coating and prevent buildup. This is a necessary step even if you are painting it the same color. Take a paint scraper or hand sander and remove the paint from the slats and the border.

Step 3: Spray Painting a Louvered Door

Start by spraying from top to bottom in a quick, even motion. Do not hold the spray can in one place as this will cause pooling. The corners of the slats are more susceptible to this so have a small brush handy.

Light even coats are the way to go here. You will be covering up any unevenness with the second coat of paint.

Happy Painting

If you follow these simple guidelines you can give your Louvered Doors an amazing facelift and save yourself the money of hiring someone else to do it for you!