So you’ve done all the prep (if not, check out our PREP post here) - your surface is looking good, the sun is shining and you’re ready to paint. Let’s take a look at how to paint exterior wood, metal, masonry and more! Pop the lid, give your paint a good stir and let the transformation commence.

What do I need to paint exterior surfaces?

• Exterior Roller and Sleeve (for big projects) and the paint tray
• 1”, 2” and 3” paint brushes (for larger areas and the fiddly detail bits)
• Decorating tape (to cover detail)
• Your COAT paint and stirrer

How To Paint A Front Door

First thing’s first, make sure you’ve followed our prep advice depending on whether it’s a wooden door or composite. Once you’ve nailed this first step and you have a stable surface, any glazing taped and door furniture removed or covered then you’re good to start.

Beat the Joneses, with David Rose and Below Deck up on the doors

We’d recommend a 2” brush for the job and to kick off with any panels if you have them. Use a fair amount of paint and work with confident brushstrokes. Once the panels are filled you can then paint the rest of the door top to bottom, from one side to the other so you blend the edges as you go and finish with the outside edge. Get the brush into every nook and cranny and try to steer clear of where you’ve already painted as the drying process will already start.

Leave the first coat to dry, usually touch dry within an hour depending on the temperature, but ready for a re-coat after four. It’s really important that it’s properly dry before you add your next coat to ensure the paint sticks properly. Ideally you’ll leave the door open while it’s drying otherwise you may smudge the paint or your door will stick, so pick the right day to do the job! You can try folding up some cardboard to wedge underneath the door so it doesn’t move when it’s drying, just re-use some of the packaging the paint arrives in.

Wooden fences are usually rougher than doors, but COAT exterior paint works wonders.

Apply the same approach for the second coat, it will level, flatten and become more matt as it dries and hardens. If you’re happy with the finished result then remove the tape while the paint is still wet. If you’re able to, leave it overnight before putting any door furniture back on, or at least give it a chance to dry up. There is no need for a sealing top coat so it’s job done, that door should now look fresh, and you’ve just upped your kerb appeal.

How To Paint A Garage Door

If you’ve followed our prep advice on painting exterior metal then a garage door should be a breeze to paint. Make sure it’s slightly ajar and held in place so you can get to the edges, then with stepladder in tow, work from top to bottom in whichever direction your garage door panels flow, either horizontal or vertical strips. 

We dare you. Get the look with Ciao, Sofia exterior paint

Use a good amount of paint and confident brush strokes with a 2” or 3” brush, blending edges as you move across the door. Avoid heading back where you’ve been as it will already start to dry being outdoors. COAT Exterior Eggshell will flatten and matt down as it cures and hardens. After you’ve let the first coat dry (4 hours), finish up the second with the same technique, ending up at the outside edge. Let it fully dry before closing the door et voila your garage door transformation is complete.

How To Paint Masonry & Brickwork

Same deal as before, make sure your exterior walls are prepped properly according to our guidance. If this has been done then grab your 3” brush or masonry roller depending on how big your project is and get painting. 

Our exterior paint for masonry is available in the full COAT palette. Nice.

Make sure you apply plenty of paint, working it in to the brickwork and watching for the different depths of surface so you don’t miss anything. If this is the first coating on the brick then it may act as a sealing coat depending on how porous the brick is.

Make sure you get into all the gaps and crannies when painting brickwork. Adulting, Dark Teal.

Work in a logical pattern, top to bottom, left to right, blending the edges and working with pace using a good amount of paint and confident application. Leave the first coat to dry, we recommend four hours, then apply the second coat in the same way to achieve a neat and uniform finish. 

It’s that simple, you should have a rich off matt finish and a totally upgraded space.

What Else Can I Paint Outside?

The possibilities are endless. We’ve just given you a few painting tips for exterior doors and walls, but if you follow our prep advice for the surface you’re working with then there’s no stopping you. It’s really easy to paint sheds and fences, update furniture and planters, level up your pergola or give those railings a spruce. Try out our colours with a peel and stick swatch today and drop us a line if you need any support or advice on your next exterior project.

With all COAT colours at your fingertips, the garden never looked so good

How Best To Clean Up After Painting

As all COAT paints are water-based it’s super simple to clean up. Just wash your brushes or rollers in warm soapy water and let them dry naturally. Likewise if you have any drips or spillages, just wipe them up with a sponge and warm water before they start to dry and you won’t have an issues.

So that's that. If you made it this far, bravo - your Blue Peter badge is en route. So either crack on with that painting, or have a browse of COAT exterior paint colours here.