Oh how I wish I could have sound effects for that title. Think echoes. Anyway, I’ve been asked about the back garage door by several, so I guess it’s time to share my wealth of knowledge (again, echoes here).
The #1 piece of advice I can give you is to get the paint I used. The paint store lady swore by this, and boy was she right! I guess she works there for a reason. I did nothing to this door but wipe it down with some light soap and water. No prep, no sanding, no priming. As a matter of fact, there is no priming needed for this paint.
I only bought a quart of it, and it has lasted through the back door, my barstools, and most of my bathroom cabinets. I still have about 1/4 left!
As you can see, I did not paint the interior. I taped off the deadbolt and door handle. For the cut in grooves, I used a cheapo sponge brush (see below). For the flat parts, I used a sponge roller. I SWEAR by sponge rollers. They give such a smooth finish, and there’s no marks left behind.
Just a little note…I did sand the chairs down. I did it before I knew about this paint, but I still would have (just not as much). I wouldn’t necessarily recommend never sanding. I just don’t think this paint needs much of it.
Good luck with the black doors, ladies!
Magic Brush says
We use that paint on all of our black kitchen cabinets, islands and furniture pieces. It is so wonderful!!!!!! They do have the same product in 2 really nice red shades also that we love!!!!
Kim says
I am coming out of lurkdom to post a big thank you! Our front door is already black, but it really needs to be re-painted. I'm all over this!
And hey, if you want to do a how-to on patching extra holes one may make when trying to play Bob The Builder and install shelves, I won't hold it against you :O).
DESJ and Company says
YAY!
My door is supposed to be black. It's gray. Silly "black" paint from Lowes. It makes me sad. This will make me happy.
Thank you!
BTW is it pricey?
Mrs. E says
Is it right that your door leading in from the garage is so awesome looking?! (Frankly, I'm not sure my front door looks THAT good!) I love it!
Kristen says
Everyday I walk into my yuck grey primed door in my garage. I'm painting it. Shhh…don't tell my husband.
Kristen says
ps…the white in the bathroom looks TERRIBLE!!! Total rental – I hate it. I'm going to get the turquoise and have the store 1/2 the color. I think it'll be fun with the orange rugs. THEN the baseboards had to be torn out too…grrr! So much for my quick weekend project!
Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says
This is my next project actually! I'm going to use paint I already have — I hope it holds up!!
Chris says
Oh gosh…I can't remember the price. Maybe around $15.00? Sorry. It's worth every penny.
Traci says
Hey,
I love the black door. I just painted the door in my garage black too, and I love it. I used a Valspar paint, and it worked great for me. I like the numbers on your door. I was thinking of stenciling "welcome" or something on mine since everyone enters through my garage instead of my front door! I hope to post pictures of mine soon.
Blessings,
Traci
~Amy says
Thanks for sharing! Love your door and barstools!! My front door is black and in need of repainting….and I want to order the address #'s too.
Jodee Leader says
That turned out great!
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says
I so don't need another project in my life, but I so want to do this!
Karli @ RockyBella says
Is your garage really that organized? Oh geez, you put me to major shame. I love the door. I've got to get some of that paint!
Rhonda says
Hi Chris, I just found your blog and have enjoyed browsing your projects, bargain finds, and had me laughing out loud a few times 🙂
I love how the door turned out; I'd love to paint my front door a luscious black or red, but the ol' HOA is fond of the beautiful blue door they hung…LOL…think they'll notice??
Kari says
Just what I needed to read. I have 2 bar stools that I want to paint black and was trying to figure out the 'easiest' way to do it. Great!!!
Amy@TheLemonCottage says
Okay… do you know how many people are going to paint their doors black now! LOL… I AM ONE OF THEM!!! Wonder how loudly hubby will sigh when he learns of the newest project…
Thanks!!
~Amy
Melissa Miller says
Very nice Chris! 🙂
Everything looks so crisp and classic painted black. Love it!
Jill says
I think I'm ready to take the plunge!
FOR THE SAKE OF TIME says
Your door looks just perfect. Eveyone comes in our garage door too. I just can't seem to get my husband to keep them closed. LOL. Another blogger mentioned that they have it in red too. Think I'll check that out.
Charla
Tracey says
Thanks for the great advice!! I'm going to buy a can and do my door!!
slip4 says
Thanks so much!! The door that came with our house is a sick orangey-red (with a yellow house, bleh). Can't wait to pick up a quart of this and get to work.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Thanks for sharing the paint you used, Chris. I'm going to want a black paint for furniture I want to change up for my future home office, and your door and chairs have the look I want.
Sandy Toes says
Your door looks just amazing.
sandy toe
Jodi@SimplyThisThat n.. says
Is your door metal or wood? Thanks for the info. I saw the post before and your garage door is fabulous! simplythisandthat@verizon.net
Jessica says
they painted my interior and exterior front door yesterday black! i love it. i read on gardenweb where someone said they would never paint a door black because it looks like a deep dark hole, but i love it!
i'll hopefully post more pics of the house soon. our cabinets are suppose to be finished today!
hip hip horray!
Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam says
I needed your paint lady. Last year, I painted my door this amazing green. It obviously wasn't the right kind as it dripped and ran and then began to peel the next day. UGH!
Courtney Baker says
You totally inspired me to paint our garage door. Our front door is already black and it just gave it a finished look! Thanks for the inspiration: http://courtbaker.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-craft-mojo.html
Valencia says
I have a rollaway kitchen island, that would really look great with this black paint. Thanks so much for posting this.
Laura says
Even better than the black door are the awesome numbers on the door!
To The Moon and Back says
thanks for the info! Now I just need a door to paint:)
Ms Perfect says
OMG I love it. Nice work. I'm feeling inspired. lol
Danielle (Life with the Hewitt Family) says
I love that black door! It makes your garage so inviting…I never thought a garage could be inviting – but yours is!
Momma to Bug says
I absolutely love your garage door entry! Do you recommend painting a front porch door black or is that too bold? Our house is a light sage green and the front door is a very boring darker shade of green.
By the way, check out our nursery room {on a small budget} if you have time:
http://mommatobug.blogspot.com/2009/07/nursery-room-on-small-budget.html
Thanks!
-Desiree
Anne says
Quick question on your garage walls – did you prime over the drywall/taping before you painted? Did you use an interior paint? Any advice would be appreciated!
Carmen says
Ahhhh yes the black door! I love it and I'm totally copying you for my front door. At least all the nasty fingerprints and dust won't show up as much. Thanks for the paint idea!!! 🙂
Amberly says
You’re a real deep theinkr. Thanks for sharing.
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage says
How divine! And those numbers — soooooooo vintagey cool.
Chris says
Dear Anne…
There's no access to your profile, and your comment doesn't provide an e-mail address. I hope you see this! As for the garage walls, I just used leftover paint from my living room and mudroom (Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore). I took a broom to wipe away the cobwebs and painted!! No prep at ALL, but it's one of the best things I've done! I encourage others! 🙂 Hope that helps!
Kara says
Thanks so much for sharing this tip! I've been wanting to paint my door for awhile, but just wasn't sure what to use.
One Craft Girl's Corner says
I love it! I'm inspired to paint mine! The garage door gets so dirty! Black is the perfect color!
Kelsey says
Do you know if they have this in white? Has anyone re-done a baby crib with it by chance? Is it safe for babies that might "chew" on the crib later.
Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful says
I have had the paint sitting in my garage waiting for me for AGES! I am dying to have a black front door, so what is my freakin problem? Yours looks amazing…love the house number! I need to stop making tissue paper pom poms for 2 seconds and paint my stinkin door.
Kimm at Reinvented says
LOVE the door and the chairs. I do have to say, though, that it's just UNNATURAL for anyone's garage to be that clean! Good grief, mine is disgusting. 🙂
Kristen says
I absolutely love that door & the decal!
Farmgirl Paints says
So glad you reposted on this. It is on My List and this will help me know exactly what to do. LOVE IT!!
Vintage Modern Girl says
absolutely amazing!!! and i simply adore the numbers 🙂
Jill says
Looks amazing…thanks for sharing…I am working up the nerve to try my laundry room cabinets!! I think I can…I think I can…
Blessings!
Jill
Denise @ Life on Stepping Stone Lane says
This is exactly how my front door looks! Black with similar style numbers! Love it!!
Manic Mom says
We are moving to a new house next week. I'm so going to paint my door black. What a great idea, love the look.
Laurie says
This is the only black paint I use. I have painted wood cubbies in my garage, bookcases, and tons of other furniture with it. The best part, with this paint there are NO FINGERPRINTS! It does smell a bit odd, and of course it looks dark green when it is applied, but it is the most durable, true black paint I have found yet. Love your door!
UPrinting says
Oh, how I love your black-painted furnitures. I wish it would also look amazing in our own homes. Thanks for sharing the tips. 🙂
Maureen says
Since reading this post, I can't enter my house through the garage without thinking of when I am going to do this. I just love it. Fabulous!
ohhollyf says
I did it, please see my post 🙂
Holly
ohhollyf says
Chris, no sorry not exact can, but close. I'll post a pic on the same blog post, and yes feel free to shared it. I <3 this result !
Psalm 127:5 says
I haven't been able to find Benjamin Moore Ironclad paint…can you help me?
Katie says
Can you please tell me where you found the numbers? Thank you! I love this project!
bkjohnson24@tx.rr.com
holly says
I LOVE, LOVE your door! Can you tell me where you got the numbers??? LOVE THEM.
Karen@StrictlySimpleStyle says
I've been wanting to repaint my already black-but-faded front door. So glad for the paint tip. Yours looks great!
Julie says
This is fabulous! Where did you get the numbers on the door? They are great.
jennibell says
Thank you!!! I just painted my door last week — it looks great 🙂 Thanks, too, for the picture of the can of paint. . .I printed it up and took it to my Benjamin Moore store so they knew EXACTLY what I was looking for 🙂
Lovely Little Nest says
Um wow…you are officially my hero! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog! 🙂
Amy Bennett says
Finally went for it! I love it! Just need to get the numbers.
http://www.sabennett.com/wp/?p=5231
123 123 says
Interesting post you got here. It would be great to read something more concerning this theme. Thanks for sharing this material.
Sexy Lady
London night life escort
Anonymous says
Can I just use this straight on my wooden chairs without sanding? Your chairs look amazing!!
Jenna
ormegirl3@gmail.com
jennifer says
I can’t seem to find this black paint anywhere. I even called to special order and they said they can’t find it either. do you have other black paint suggestions?
Chris says
Sorry, Jennifer. It’s the only paint I use. Did you go to a Benjamin Moore store? I’ve never had any problems finding it. Sorry!
Brietta says
Would this work for a front door too?? My front door is just terrible and needs to be re-painted but I thought I would need to have someone professionally paint it. Also, this paint comes in other colors I assume?
Thanks!
Donna says
I went to my local BM store and they said they this Wood and Metal Paint has been discontinued.
What are you using now? I want to paint my cabinets black, but not if I cant get that smooth “pottery barn” finish.
Candice says
I LOVE this!! Actually just finished painting my door black as well, now looking for where to get the vinyl lettering…any suggestions??
shaunne says
I want to do the numbers….did you buy those and the “No.” logo or did you paint those and if you painted what did you use please!
jamie says
Where can i get these address #s. They are sooo cute!
Chris says
Here you go, Jamie! http://justagirlblog.com/faqs
Elaine says
I really would like to know where did you purchase the numbers for the door?
Chris says
Here you go, Elaine! Thanks! http://justagirlblog.com/faqs
Cindi @ Frugal New England Kitchen says
Totally glad I found your blog on Pinterest! Re-doing the kitchen now (using BM Aurora that I started earlier this month), and have a dining room chair I need to paint to match the Hitchcock furniture! Then perhaps on to my dining room hutch, and of course, a new black door! Thanks!
Laura says
Hi Chris,
I love your ideas! I’d like to refinish some laminate bookshelves. Do you know if this paint will work on laminate without sanding and priming first? Thanks!
Erin says
I asked about the source for the vinyl number decals and had the link but it has somehow been deleted. Can you please provide the site that you got these from? Thanks and I LOVE your ideas and blog!
Chris says
Hi Erin! I purchased them from Wonderfully Wordy, but she doesn’t do much vinyl lettering anymore. If you can’t find them there, I would just find someone on Etsy. They’re really inexpensive! Good luck!
Cherri says
I cannot find this paint at any Benjamin Moore retailer within 50 miles. Do they still sell it?
Cherri says
I’m sorry to say I bought this paint based on your recommendations but was terribly disappointed. I even traveled out of town to finally find it. I painted my outdoor shutters which are vinyl and they look fine. But my front door which is wood did not fare so well. It looked splotchy and rough and did not spread on very well. I wish I had stuck with my go-to favorite which is Pratt & Lambert. It always covers in one coat and has a beautiful finish.
Chris says
Sorry it didn’t work out for you, Cherri. Everyone I’ve spoken to is in love with it (including me, of course). I wish you loved it as much as we do! Bummer!
Cherri says
Oh well, your furniture looks great. By the way, the reason it’s so hard to find, at least in my area, is that it’s sold under a new name – “DTM Acrylic.”
Lisa says
I just saw two-shelf shoe racks at Costco. They are made of bamboo and metal and are about $24.99 in the Dallas area. They were really cute!
Jill says
Thank you for the paint suggestion.
I just painted 3 dressers and my whole kitchen. The worst part was priming and then having to go back and paint. SOOO MUCH extra work. I will be getting this paint for the the last dresser I have to paint.
I also can’t belive the finish you get with the sponge rollers. I have been using a regula roller and then brushing it out to get a smoother finish. I will be switching to the sponge rollers too.
Thanks again!
Laura says
Hi Kris,
I truly adore your black door. I have been contemplating painting my front doors black for over 6 months. I have a beautiful honey oak 10′ double front doors with etched glass in the doors and side lights and I want to paint inside and outside. I know it would be stunning but I’m araid to try it myself. I wanted to hire a painter but they all say it needs to be sprayed with a satin stain. I don’t want a stain. Any ideas. I live in So California ranch. I wish I could just send you a picture of my front doors but where can I attach it? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Laura says
Sorry Chris I don’t know why I spelled your name wrong. Thanks again!
Kelly says
I must have seen your garage door somewhere…
but it rose from my subconscious mind a couple weeks ago and told me to paint mine.
I love it! Thanks! Although for 3 days my husband just kept saying “black?” 🙂
I just said…shut up, I love it.
Kelly