How to Paint Door Jambs?

A door jamb is the vertical portion of the frame onto which a door is secured. Painting door jambs is not so difficult task but it needs specific preparation and application techniques based on the condition of the surface you are working with.

 Materials Required:

• Palm sander
• Masking paper
• Blue painter's tape
• 2- to 3-inch oil-based paintbrush
• Oil-based primer
• Mineral spirits
• Oil-based paint
• 2- to 3-inch latex paintbrush
• Acrylic latex primer
• Acrylic latex paint
• 200-grit sandpaper
• Tackcloth

Instructions:

a) Steps for Stained or Varnished Jams

1.) Remove the glossy coat of varnish by sanding it with a palm sander stocked with 200-grit sandpaper. Keep sanding until the door jamb appears dull.

Note: Skip this step if the stained door jamb is unvarnished.

2.)  Now, wipe away saw dust, using a tackcloth.

3.)  Cover hardware on the door jamb with painter's tape. Cover flooring beneath the jam with masking paper. Tape the masking paper to the floor to prevent it from blowing up.

4.)  Apply a coat of oil-based primer, using a 2- to 3-inch oil-based paintbrush. Allow the primer to dry for two hours.

5.)  Clean the brush with mineral spirits.

6.)  Apply a coat of oil-based paint, using a 2- to 3-inch oil-based paintbrush. Allow the primer to dry for
two hours.

b) Unfinished Wood Jambs

1.) Cover hardware on the door jamb with painter's tape. Cover flooring beneath the jamb with masking paper. Tape the masking paper to the floor to prevent it from blowing up.

2.) Apply a coat of acrylic latex primer, using a 2- to 3-inch latex paintbrush. Allow the primer to dry for two hours.

3.) Clean the brush with plain water.

4.) Now, apply a coat of acrylic latex paint, using a 2- to 3-inch latex.

Allow the primer to dry for two hours.

Tips:

• It is not required to remove the door to paint a door jamb. Swing the door in and out to as needed during the application process.
• Do not use an acrylic latex paint to coat a stained door jamb, or finish will peel.
• Do not paint directly over a raw wood door jam, or the paint will eventually flake.
• To paint a door jamb which is already been painted,  apply a coat of acrylic latex paint with a 2- to 3-inch latex paintbrush.

Resources

• Popular Mechanics: 5 Pro Painting Tips Every Amateur Should Know
• Photo Credit: sandpapier image by Thomas Aumann from Fotolia.com;
• e-How home: How to Paint Door Jambs By Ryan Lawrence, eHow Contributor