Tired of white doors that look dirty five minutes after you clean them? Painting patio doors black fixed that problem at my house, and it only took one coat and one easy afternoon.
Today I’m showing you exactly how I did it, so you can give your own doors a classic look that stays pretty.
I teamed up with Lowe’s for this sponsored project, and I’m so glad I did. They sent me everything I needed to finally fix our dirty white doors.
Painting Patio Doors Black: Why I Finally Did It
White Doors That Never Looked Clean
Our back French doors lead right out to my herb garden. On top of that, my husband Marty goes in and out all day while gardening.
So no matter how often I wiped them down, those white doors always looked dirty. My patio also needed something to make it pop.
Why I Chose Tricorn Black (SW 6258)
Tricorn Black is one of the most popular black paint colors for doors, and for good reason. It’s a neutral black with no undertones, so it looks clean and classic next to white trim.
It also has a light reflectance value (LRV) of about 3, which means it’s about as dark as paint gets. Honestly, it’s the blackest black I’ve ever used. You can find the exact Tricorn Black door and trim paint I used at Lowe’s.
Supplies You Need
You can order almost everything for this door makeover online from Lowe’s, and it ships right to your door. You’ll find it all in my Lowe’s Storefront.
- HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Door & Trim, Semi-Gloss, Tricorn Black (SW 6258), 1 quart
- Purdy Clearcut Cub angled brush
- Canvas drop cloth
- A broom or handheld brush
- A flathead screwdriver or paint can opener
- A hammer
- A step stool and a paper towel
- Damp paper towels for quick cleanup
- Painter’s tape (optional)
One quart went a long way. I only used about a quarter of the can for both doors.
Safety Tip: Always read and follow the directions on the paint label, and wear the protective gear it recommends. If your home was built before 1978, your door may have lead paint, so have it tested before you sand or scrape anything.
How to Paint French Patio Doors Black
The best part? I didn’t sand, and I didn’t prime. I painted right over the existing white paint, and it covered beautifully.
I also only painted the outside face of the doors. I left the hardware on, painted carefully around it, and kept all the trim white.
Step 1: Clean the Door
My doors were pressure washed a few months ago, so they were in pretty good shape. Right before painting, I simply dusted them off with a broom to knock off the cobwebs, dust, and bugs.
If your doors are dirtier than mine, wash them with a bucket of warm, soapy water and rinse them well. Then let them dry completely before you paint.
Step 2: Shake the Paint and Set Up a Stool
Before you open the can, tap the lid with a hammer to make sure it’s on tight. Then give the can a good shake for a couple of minutes.
Next, lay down a drop cloth and add painter’s tape anywhere you want extra protection. After that, set a step stool next to the door, lay a paper towel on top, and set your paint can on it.
Pro Tip: A stool keeps your paint right at hand level, so you aren’t bending down every time you dip your brush. Your back will thank you.
Step 3: Load Only the Bottom Quarter of Your Brush
Open the can with a flathead screwdriver or a paint can opener. Then dip just the bottom quarter of your brush into the paint.
I learned this from a wise old painter back in my twenties, and I still do it every time. Less paint on the brush means fewer drips and a smoother finish.
Step 4: Cut In First, Then Work Top to Bottom
I like to open the door and paint away from the trim. That gives me a little more room to work and helps keep the white trim crisp.
Start in an upper corner and cut in along the glass and edges first. Then work your way down the sides and across the bottom, saving the easy flat areas for last.
Step 5: Let It Dry, Then Touch Up
Once the whole door is painted, let it dry. Then step back and look for any thin spots.
I only found a few areas that looked a little gray. A quick touch-up with the same light-loaded brush fixed them.
Pro Tip: If you need a full second coat, follow the recoat time on the paint label.
How Long Before You Can Close the Door
Since my doors swing outward and I only painted the outside face, I could close them right away. The wet paint never touched the frame.
However, if your door swings inward or you painted the edges, follow the label’s dry time before closing it. Then lightly touch the paint, and if it doesn’t feel tacky, you’re good to go.
Why I Kept the Trim White on My Black French Doors
My French doors have white mullions sealed inside the glass. Since I couldn’t paint them, I needed a way to tie that white into the design.
So I kept all the trim white, including the center piece down the middle and the trim around the glass. I was honestly worried it might not work, but I was so surprised by how beautiful it turned out.
Pro Tip: When part of your door can’t be painted, repeat that color somewhere else. The white trim makes the white mullions look like they belong.
My Honest Review of the Door and Trim Paint
I’ve been painting for 40 years, and this is one of the best one-coat door paints I’ve ever used. Here’s what stood out:
- Thick and drip-free. It never dripped on me, not once.
- Smooth as silk. It went on beautifully and didn’t leave streaks.
- Self-leveling. Brush marks smoothed right out as it dried.
- One coat. It covered white in one coat, with only a few small touch-ups.
- Great coverage. I only used about a quarter of the quart.
All in all, it was a surprisingly easy project. If you’ve been nervous about painting a door, this paint makes it about as easy as it gets.
Styling My Black Patio Doors
Once the doors were dry, I had so much fun dressing up the patio. Black doors are a classic backdrop, so everything in front of them really shines.
Citrus, Daisies, and a Fern
First, I styled around my orange tree in its concrete pot. I bought it at Lowe’s years and years ago, and I recently gave it a good pruning.
Lowe’s sells citrus trees at certain times of the year, so keep an eye out if you’d like one of your own. Around it, I added a big pot of Montauk daisies for a full, happy pop of white.
I also added a maidenhair fern in a pretty terracotta pot I picked up at Lowe’s this year. Finally, a purple flowering plant in an off-white pot finished it all off.
Pro Tip: White flowers and green leaves look extra crisp against black doors. Repeat white in a few spots to pull it all together.
A Scalloped “Hello” Doormat
Then I added this absolutely adorable scalloped “hello” doormat. It has a black scalloped edge with “hello” written across the middle in cursive.
It’s whimsical, cute, and the black edge ties right back to the doors.
Designer Tips for Using Tricorn Black
As a former interior designer, I’ve used a lot of black paint over the years. Here are my favorite tips for using Tricorn Black well.
Where to Use Tricorn Black
Tricorn Black looks gorgeous on more than just doors. Try it on:
- Interior and exterior doors
- Kitchen or bathroom cabinets
- Shutters
- Exterior trim
- Furniture
- Accent walls or a whole cozy room
Try It in High Gloss
For a real showstopper, try Tricorn Black in a high-gloss finish. It gives you a deep, mirror-like shine that looks so elegant on a front door or a piece of furniture.
Iron Ore vs Tricorn Black
If Tricorn Black feels too bold, Iron Ore (SW 7069) is a softer charcoal black. It’s my pick for interior rooms, and I used it on my daughter’s shutters.
In short, choose Tricorn Black for a true, crisp black. Choose Iron Ore when you want something a little softer.
Skip It on Floors
I don’t recommend very black paint on floors. Every speck of dust and dirt will show, and you’ll be sweeping all day.
Use a Drop Cloth (Even Though I Didn’t)
I’ll be honest, I hardly ever use a drop cloth anymore after 40 years of painting. Plus, this paint was so thick it never dripped.
Still, I highly recommend you put one down. A canvas drop cloth is cheap insurance for your patio.
Painting Patio Doors Black FAQ
Do you have to sand or prime before painting a door black?
I didn’t sand or prime my doors, and the paint covered white in one coat. If your door is clean, dry, and in good shape, you can often paint right over it.
How long before you can close a freshly painted door?
Follow the dry time on your paint label. If your door swings outward and you only paint the outside face like I did, you may be able to close it right away.
Is Tricorn Black a true black?
Yes. Tricorn Black (SW 6258) is a neutral black with no undertones. In fact, its RGB is 47/47/48 and an LRV of about 3, so it reads as true black.
Shop the Look
Everything I used for this project, from the paint and brush to the doormat and terracotta pot, is in my Lowe’s Storefront.
A Classic Look That Stays Pretty
Painting patio doors black solved my dirty-door problem and gave my patio the pop it needed. Best of all, it took one coat, one afternoon, and about a quarter of a quart of paint.
It’s such a classic look, and I just love walking out to my herb garden through these doors now. So grab a quart of Tricorn Black from Lowe’s and give your doors a try.
Thinking about more outdoor color? Here are my favorite Sherwin-Williams exterior paint colors for doors, trim, and siding.
I’d love to hear how yours turn out, so leave me a comment below.
Happy Decorating!
