What type of paint is best for door trim?

When it comes to choosing the right type of paint for door trim, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Durability – You’ll want a hard, durable paint that can withstand plenty of wear and tear from opening/closing doors and hands touching the trim.
• Ease of application – The right paint should go on smoothly and easily either with a brush or paint sprayer.
• Finish – Do you want a glossy look or something more matte? The finish impacts the final look significantly.
• Color options – Will you need to color match existing trim or want lots of color choices? Some paint types come in more limited colors.

In this article, we’ll explore the most popular paint options for door trim and the pros and cons of each type. We’ll also provide tips on preparation, application, and choosing the right finish. Read on to learn what type of paint is best for your next door trim painting project.

Oil-Based Alkyd Paint

Alkyd paint, also known as oil-based paint, has long been a popular choice for painting door trim and other trimwork around the home. Here are some of the benefits of using an alkyd paint:

• Extremely durable and hard – Alkyd paints create an extra tough film once dry that holds up well to frequent use and abuse. The oils allow the paint to expand and contract with the wood.
• Rich, glossy finish – The signature glossy look of nicely painted trim is achieved with oil-based alkyd paints. The finish enhances the beauty of the wood.
• Minimal prep work – Alkyd paints adhere well to existing oil or alkyd paints with only light sanding, allowing for quick recoats.
• Wide range of sheens – Alkyds come in gloss, semi-gloss, satin, and even flat finishes.

However, alkyd paint does have some downsides:

• Strong odor and fumes – The oil base means strong solvent fumes, especially when spraying. Proper ventilation is a must.
• Long dry time – Alkyd paints take up to 24 hours to fully cure and harden.
• Difficult cleanup – Brushes and equipment need mineral spirits or solvents to clean up after using oil-based paints.
• Environmental impact – Oil-based paints are less eco-friendly compared to some modern water-based options.

Overall, alkyd paint is a great choice for durable, classic trim finishes. But the fumes and cleanup hassle may be dealbreakers for some.

Acrylic Latex Paint

Over the past few decades, advancements in acrylic latex technology have made water-based acrylics a viable option for painting trim. Here are some benefits of acrylic latex paint:

• Low odor and fumes – Acrylic latex paints use water as a base, so they have little to no odor.
• Quick dry time – Dries in under an hour in most cases, so recoats are fast.
• Easy soap and water cleanup – No harsh chemicals needed to clean brushes and rollers.
• Environmentally-friendly – Acrylic latex paints comply with VOC regulations and are low in harmful emissions.
• Affordable – Acrylic paints are generally cheaper than oil-based options.

However, acrylic paint has some limitations for trim:

• Less durable finish – Acrylic paints are softer and more prone to chipping and scratching on heavily used trim.
• Difficult adhesion – Acrylics don’t bond as well to existing paints without proper sanding and priming.
• Limitations on gloss – Although some acrylics offer semi-gloss and gloss sheens, the gloss is not as bright as oil-based paint.
• Slow block resistance – Can take weeks to fully cure and resist marks from rubber doorstops and seals.

Acrylic latex paint works best on trim that sees only light use and abuse. Areas with heavy wear may need re-coating more frequently compared to oil-based paints. Proper prep and primer will help acrylics adhere better.

Alkyd Enamel Paint

Alkyd enamel paints offer a nice middle ground option between regular alkyd and acrylic latex paints. As the name suggests, alkyd enamel paints use alkyd oils, so they maintain many of the positive qualities of oil-based paints. However, additional resins give alkyd enamel paints better durability and scratch resistance compared to regular oil-based paints.

Benefits of alkyd enamels include:

• Durability – More durable than both regular alkyd and acrylic latex thanks to tough enamel additives.
• Abrasion-resistant – Enamel paints can withstand scrubbing, rubbing and daily wear better than standard oil-based paint.
• Glossy finish – The alkyd base provides bright, glossy sheens perfect for trim.
• Adhesion – Better adhesion than regular alkyd without extensive prep.

Downsides of alkyd enamel paint include:

• Strong odor – Still has solvent fumes, though not as strong as regular alkyd paint.
• Slower dry time – The alkyd oils mean enamel paints take longer to fully cure than acrylics.
• More difficult cleanup – Still requires mineral spirits for cleanup.

For situations where you want the toughness and gloss of oil-based paint along with added durability, alkyd enamel paints are an excellent choice for trim. The enamel resins make the paint tougher and more flexible. Just be prepared for some fumes and slower drying compared to acrylic.

Polyurethane Paint

Polyurethane paints are an extremely hard, durable coating option well-suited for high-traffic door trim areas. Polyurethane paints contain polymeric isocyanates that form a tough plastic-like film when dry.

Advantages of polyurethane paint include:

• Superior durability – Maintains its hardness and tough outer shell even after years of scrubbing and use.
• Abrasion and scratch-resistant – Polyurethane paint won’t chip, crack, or scratch as easily as other paints.
• Excellent block-resistance – Cures fully to resist marring from rubber bumpers on doors.
• High gloss – Most polyurethane paints dry to an ultra-glossy finish.

Potential disadvantages include:

• Higher cost – Polyurethane paints typically cost more than other paint options.
• Strong fumes – Isocyanates have very strong odors during application.
• Slow dry time – Can take up to 5-7 days to fully cure and harden.
• Difficult to apply – Polyurethane paints have a narrow application window and are tricky for DIY-ers to work with.

If your door trim takes a true beating, polyurethane paint is the most heavy-duty option to withstand constant friction and abrasion from opening and closing doors. Just be prepared to pay more and properly ventilate during application.

Epoxy Paint

Epoxy paints provide another ultra-tough finish option for heavily used door trim areas. Epoxy paints use a chemical reaction between epoxy resins and polyamide hardeners to create a protective, plastic-like coating.

Key advantages of epoxy paint include:

• Super durable finish – Epoxy paints cure into an extremely hard, inflexible finish.
• Chemical resistant – Protects against oils, solvents, acids, and other corrosive materials.
• High abrasion resistance – Maintains its finish despite constant friction and abrasion.
• Excellent adhesion – Bonds tightly to existing paints and wood trim.

Potential drawbacks of using epoxy paint are:

• Toxic fumes – Mixing the resin and hardener creates hazardous fumes, so ventilation is critical.
• Narrow working time – Epoxy cures quickly, so only small amounts can be mixed at once.
• Difficult to apply – Preparing the correct resin-to-hardener ratio is tricky.
• Expensive – Epoxy paints typically cost more per gallon than other paint types.

Overall, epoxy paint provides the ultimate protective finish for door trim that gets heavy use in commercial, industrial, or other high-traffic applications. The hazardous fumes require careful attention during application.

Choosing Paint Sheen and Finish

Once you select the broad paint type for your door trim, you’ll also need to decide on the exact sheen level and finish. Glossier paint finishes better highlight decorative trim details, while matte finishes hide imperfections better. Consider these common sheen types:

• Gloss – Glossy paints have a highly reflective finish that accentuates the trim profile. Durability and stain resistance are also excellent.
• Semi-gloss – With moderate reflectivity, semi-gloss offers a compromise between durability and visibility of imperfections.
• Satin – Satin finishes have low reflectivity for a smooth, subtle sheen. They resist markings from high-traffic use.
• Matte – Very low surface reflectivity gives matte paint a flat, non-shiny appearance. They excel at hiding surface defects.

For most interior door trim, gloss and semi-gloss finishes provide an attractive shine while also maintaining durability. Satin is also popular for a smooth, understated look. Matte paint works well for situations where you want trim to blend into the wall rather than stand out.

You can also use paint finishes to create contrast between the trim and surrounding walls. For example, gloss white trim helps the trim pop against flatter wall paints. Just keep in mind the durability needs based on the location and use of the trim you are painting.

Preparing Door Trim for Painting

Careful prep work is vital for getting great results from any trim paint job. Follow these steps to properly prepare door trim before painting:

1. Remove any existing loose paint with sandpaper, scrapers, or paint remover. Sand to feather edges smooth.
2. Fill any holes, cracks, or defects with wood filler and sand smooth when dry.
3. Sand entire surface with 120-150 grit sandpaper to remove gloss and roughen the surface.
4. Clean thoroughly with a degreasing solution like TSP substitute to remove any oils or grime.
5. Apply appropriate primer to any bare wood or patched areas per manufacturer instructions.
6. Caulk along seams and joints with a paintable latex caulk.
7. Break or round any sharp corners to create a paintable surface.

Taking time to properly prep ensures paint bonds tightly for a smooth, professional looking finish. Always follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations for required primers, dry time between coats, and surface preparation needs.

Application Tips and Techniques

Follow these best practices during application for great looking, durable paint results on door trim:

• Stir paint thoroughly before and during application for color consistency.
• Use high quality brushes with synthetic bristles for best results.
• Apply paint generously from unpainted surface outward to avoid lap marks.
• Maintain a wet edge when painting continuous surfaces to prevent lap marks.
• Work methodically to prevent drips, sags, or brush marks in the finish.
• Allow proper dry time between coats according to manufacturer guidelines.
• Lightly sand between coats to smooth the surface.
• Apply at least two finish coats for complete coverage and protection.

Applying paint with high quality brushes, rollers, or spray equipment leads to a more even, consistent finish. Remove door hardware, plates, and fixtures prior to painting for full coverage and neater results.

Conclusion

When choosing paint for interior door trim, alkyd enamel or acrylic latex paints offer a nice balance of durability, appearance, and ease of application for most situations. For trim that gets heavy use, ultra-tough epoxy or polyurethane paints provide the most abrasion resistance. Proper surface preparation helps any paint adhere tightly while finish selection impacts visual appeal and visibility of defects. With the right prep work and product selection, you can give your door trim a fresh new look that withstands daily wear and tear.