To paint a steel door you ll need exterior paint and an oil based primer designed specifically for metal.
Best paint for exterior steel door.
Then apply 2 coats of the primer letting it dry after each coat.
Before you apply the primer and paint lightly sand the door with 400 grit sandpaper so the primer and paint will stick to it better.
When painting metal always use exterior latex paint latex paint is acrylic paint mixed with a binding agent that completely covers the surface staying.
There are certain kinds of paint that are great at covering metal so you can decorate your home the way you want.
If your door is paneled start with the panels.
Paint a section at a time.
If painting light to moderately used indoor metal surfaces think wall sconces bed frames or guest room night tables go with water based acrylic paint a cheaper 15 to 40 per gallon.
Preparing the door for a fresh coat of paint if your door has old paint on it what you do will depend on the condition of the paint.
For a door made of pine white fir or another wood species that doesn t bleed i e gives off tinted compounds in wood called tannins go with a water based exterior paint such as behr.