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Is it too cold to Frenchic my front door?

8 replies

OnePoliteCat · 10/04/2025 09:15

I'm struggling to sell my house, going on with a new estate agent and having new photos taken probably next week. My front door needs painting, and I'd like to use the exterior Frenchic paint to do this. I'm extremely limited for cash and time, and thought this looked like a good choice in terms of both. On the website, it says temperatures must be above 10 degrees for 48 hours after painting while it cures. The daytime temperatures are predicted well above that, but at night it's forecast between 4-6 degrees. Does anyone have experience using this product and know if this will really matter, and is there a way round it (like if I plug a heater in behind the door or something???). Also any other tips would be appreciated.

I really wanted to get the door done last year but was working three jobs and just didn't have time. I never thought I'd be moving from this house, but due to really difficult circumstances leading to divorce I have no choice. Everything feels too much, and I realise I'm more stressed about a door than I probably should be right now, so any help would be appreciated!

OP posts:
heldinadream · 10/04/2025 13:32

What kind of door @OnePoliteCat ?
UPVC or wood?
Advice different for each.
Try not to stress - I know, easier said than done. I think it's a great idea to paint the front door as a lovely front door makes a cheery and welcoming first impression.
On the other hand, it's not actually going to sell your house so it might be a good idea or it might just be a way to displace your stress into an activity and there might be better things to focus on.
Breathe. 💐You've got a lot going on.

OnePoliteCat · 10/04/2025 15:15

Thank you for the kind words @heldinadream. The door is oak.

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MissAndrey · 10/04/2025 15:23

It might not hold up as well, but if you're selling it, does it matter? I'd do it, you'll give a better first impression to potential buyers even if it isn't a perfect job.

heldinadream · 10/04/2025 15:34

OnePoliteCat · 10/04/2025 15:15

Thank you for the kind words @heldinadream. The door is oak.

Ah OK, much easier than UPVC then. You can just use any good gloss. This will be dry enough for a second coat in two hours, no worries about it being too cold overnight or anything. Colour is just an example but could look really nice? Says it's toy paint but says for wood and outdoors, will be fine for a front door and not expensive. They've got it in more traditional door colours like racing green. And it doesn't need to last so you don't need to do a perfect job, just wash and maybe lightly sand the door first (depending on condition of surface).
Good luck with selling your house!
www.dunelm.com/product/rust-oleum-candy-pink-gloss-painters-touch-toy-safe-paint-250ml-1000185164?defaultSkuId=30729014

BelfastBard · 10/04/2025 15:44

I’ll be honest, I bought into the whole “Frenchic” thing and did both our kitchen and our front door with it. I’m a reasonably experienced painter, prepped well and as per their own guidance. It looked dreadful after a matter of weeks. The colours admittedly are lovely, but there are far better paints out there.

OnePoliteCat · 10/04/2025 17:22

Thanks for the feedback and advice everyone! The estate agent thinks it looks fine, but if i can't leave it alone I'll go with a gloss instead.

OP posts:
springbringshope · 10/04/2025 17:38

BelfastBard · 10/04/2025 15:44

I’ll be honest, I bought into the whole “Frenchic” thing and did both our kitchen and our front door with it. I’m a reasonably experienced painter, prepped well and as per their own guidance. It looked dreadful after a matter of weeks. The colours admittedly are lovely, but there are far better paints out there.

What is it other than matte paint?

BelfastBard · 10/04/2025 18:11

springbringshope · 10/04/2025 17:38

What is it other than matte paint?

Well that’s precisely it. It’s not even a very good Matt paint. But they have a very good marketing department. And during lockdowns they really took off as a result. Good marketing and people having an awful lot more time on their hands for DIY was a dream for them.
But it is poor paint. And anyone I know personally who has used it says the same, but going by social media everyone is getting great and durable results…

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