Painting a raised-panel wood door presents certain challenges.Among them:(1) Paint applied over the joints between the panel and frame forms a film that often cracks.(2) The flat parts of a door are easy to sand but the moulded portions are not.(3) You must decide whether to remove the door for painting or just paint it in place.(4) The door will absorb moisture from the air and may warp if it is not sealed on all edges. If you follow these instructions you can avoid cracking, warping and other common problems when painting.Tools & Materials:• 2-mil or 4-mil plastic drop cloth.• Paint respirator.• Bucket and soft scrub brush or cloth.• Tack cloths.• Mild detergent solution.• Rags.• 1-in. paint scraper.• Primer.• Metal file.• Paint (interior or exterior, as appropriate).• Electric finishing sander or rubber sanding block.• Paint bucket and stir sticks.• Medium and fine-grit sandpaper.• 2-1/2- or 3-in. angled sash brush.• Chemical deglosser.• Door-bottom pad painter.• Chemical-resistant rubber gloves.• Mineral spirits (paint thinner).• Goggles.• Paintbrush spinner.STEP 1Clean the SurfaceDirt and grease are often responsible when paint fails to adhere, so start this and any painting project with a good cleaning. Use a mild detergent/water solution and a cloth or soft brush, and wipe the door dry immediately as you wash from the top down. Remove any stains, such as crayon.STEP 2Scrape and SandIf the paint film around the edges of the panels has cracked, the finish might have been applied too heavily. Rather than compound the problem by planning to cover the crack with yet another heavy coat of paint, scrape the excess paint away with a 1-in. paint scraper, then sand with sandpaper wrapped over the edge of a block of wood. Scrape off any other loose paint and then sand to smooth the edges between the painted and unpainted areas using medium- and then fine-grit sandpaper.STEP 3De-gloss and PrimeLightly sand the entire door using an electric finishing sander or a rubber sanding block with fine sandpaper. Paint does not adhere well to a glossy surface and sanding will also smooth imperfections for a better-looking result. Rather than sanding detailed areas, which can be difficult without rounding over the crisp edges, brush on a chemical deglosser just before you are ready to apply a primer. Follow the label’s instructions and heed safety advisories about ventilation and wearing respirators. Prime any bared wood with a compatible paint primer.STEP 4Paint PanelsIn general, paint the panels from the inside out, starting with the detailed (moulded) areas around the panels and then the panels. Always paint out of, not into the corners, because drawing your brush across the edge would deposit too much paint. Be careful not to apply too much paint at the panel-frame joints. It helps to tip off these areas with a nearly dry brush before moving on.STEP 5Paint the EdgesPaint the edges of the door next. If the door is a different colour on each side, paint the edges the same colour as the door face that would show if you were to open it against a wall. For example, on a door that swings into a room from a hall, paint the edges the same colour as the hall side of the door.STEP 6Paint Stiles and RailsSave the stiles and rails (the vertical and horizontal pieces that frame the panels) until last. Brush with the wood grain (along a board’s length) and lightly tip off the finish with a dry brush to complete the application. Avoid closing the door for as long as possible (as much as several days) to allow the paint to fully cure.STEP 7Clean UpUse the best paintbrushes you can afford. Clean them well after every use and they will last many years. Clean brushes used for water-based paints in warm soapy water; clean alkyd-based (oil) paint in mineral spirits. Use a paint spinner to spin out the excess into a large bucket or trash can. Repeat washing and spin again.Henry Durham is a director at Gorham’s. Contact him on 441-295-1550.