Paint door frames and architrave cleanly, from prep and filling to masking, undercoat and two neat finish coats.
PA-01Clear and protect the areaMove any nearby furniture out of the way. Lay dust sheets over the floor and skirting either side of the door, tucking them right up to the frame.
PA-02Clean the frame and architraveWipe down the whole frame and architrave with sugar soap solution to lift grease, dust and cobwebs. Rinse with a damp cloth and let it dry fully before you touch it again.
PA-03Fill cracks, dents and old fixing holesPress a multi-purpose or flexible filler into any gaps, nail holes or dents with a small filling knife. Leave a slight overfill, since filler shrinks a little as it dries.
PA-04Sand the whole frameOnce the filler is fully dry, sand it flush using fine sandpaper (120-180 grit). Give the rest of the frame a light sand too, to key old gloss paint so the new coat grips. Wipe away all dust with a tack cloth or slightly damp rag.
PA-05Mask off the edgesRun low-tack masking tape along the wall where it meets the architrave, along the floor covering, and around any glass or door furniture you're not painting. Press it down firmly so paint can't creep underneath.
PA-06Apply primer or undercoat if neededIf any part of the frame is bare wood, or you're covering a much darker colour, brush on a coat of wood primer or undercoat first. Follow the tin for drying time before moving on.
PA-07Apply the first coat of finish paintUsing an angled sash brush, paint the frame first, then the architrave, working in the direction of the wood grain. Do the top edges and mouldings first, then the flat faces, to avoid drips running back over finished areas.
PA-08Let the first coat dry and check for flawsLeave the paint to dry fully - check the tin, as this can be anywhere from 4 to 16 hours depending on whether it's water- or oil-based. Once dry, lightly sand any drips, brush marks or dust specks with fine sandpaper before the next coat.
PA-09Apply the second coatPaint the second coat the same way as the first. This is usually the coat that gives full, even colour, so take your time and check for any thin patches as you go.
PA-10Remove the masking tapePeel off the masking tape while the paint is still slightly tacky, pulling it away at a shallow angle. This gives a crisp edge and stops it pulling off dried paint with it.
PA-11Clean up and let the paint cureClean brushes according to the paint type - water for water-based paint, white spirit for oil-based. Dispose of dust sheets, rags and any leftover filler or paint responsibly, and open a window to help the paint cure fully over the next few days before heavy use.