Painted my awful UPVC front door - before / after pictures

[missfliss]

New front door was going to be £1k ish.

Saw all the Frenchic paint forums and decided 'what the hell' we are mid loft conversion and so no more cash to Chuck around.

Cost: sugar soap, sandpaper, masking tape, paint £19

It looks pretty good ! Certainly much better.

Took 3 coats of Frenchic al fresco paint in 'after midnight'.

Sharing if it helps

That’s beautiful
Sadly my UPvc horror has that classic half moon Window job do nobody will think it’s anything but upvc!!

update

Despite earlier reservations ( new smell etc)

Cat has just exited via cat flap - meaning door is now fully assimilated

@Mawbags

That’s beautiful Sadly my UPvc horror has that classic half moon Window job do nobody will think it’s anything but upvc!!

So do lots of composite & wood doors

I need to replace my wood door /it's WAY beyond paint being able to help! If I could paint it, I'd use Annie Sloan. That stuff goes on any surface and you don't need to faff with primers etc.

@missfliss

it looks Fab & the colour is lovely! It's a bit rude of you to disturb the cat, I suggest you stay home instead!!

OP I meant it as a good thing, glad your DH will agree!

If it’s water based paint you can add floetrol to it and it dries more slowly but evens out on the surface better than before.

Even dh agrees it looks better with than without, grudgingly.

Brilliant job on the door OP, what a difference and your cat is just scrumptious, so sweet.

If you are interested here is the disastrous first coat. It took three.

That’s horrific. Very hard not to panic when it goes south like that.

I have painted my windows in Frenchie Alfresco in Smudge, I'm really happy with them, the finish is great, I only used half a tin so have also painted my banisters in the same colour,

That's lovely OP. I'm just waiting on a delivery of Frenchic for my kitchen cabinets.

@Rosesarere would you mind sharing any pics? Windows and bannisters?

Considering same colour ( smudge) for 2 UPVC windows on first floor rear of house - we have aluminium anthracite windows on the extension and new loft and the white ones sandwiched between look odd.

I also have plans for the new and existing bannisters using a dark colour ( Frenchic panther) so would love to see yours?

Won’t the paint chip if knocked?

Looks like they've pretty much sold out

Couple more pics for you all.

Closeup of dried finish. A lot nicer than the shiny plastic UPVC but I am not claiming to be an especially good decorator so probably not perfect.

Also I have ordered this fox door knocker and a new lock / postbox so will be even nicer soon!

@Mooserp yes the website stock is really depleted.

I used their "find a local stockist" page and then from there contacted local stockists via their Facebook pages - most of them were either delivering or offering contact free collection.

Many of them having cottoned in to the supply issues were helpfully updating their own Facebook pages with which Frenchic colours were available from their stock.

I live in Sussex and there were 3 stockists willing to supply within 5 miles

@Sparklingplasters re paint chipping.

From what I have read, no. Fingers crossed.

It takes two weeks to fully 'cure' and the paint is designed for outdoor use

It's fabulous. Can I ask how much it cost to do your door please.

@MaidenMotherCrone the paint was £19 :-)

I also bought sugar soap and masking tape and a brush for the fiddly bits - so probably £30 all in?

@MaidenMotherCrone the cost is in the OP

@MaidenMotherCrone

It's fabulous. Can I ask how much it cost to do your door please.

I think she said it was £19.

Apologies and many thanks. After seeing the pics I went off to Pinterest and had completely forgotten the wording in the OP.

Sorry again.

Hi, I am about to revamp my front door & have been reading about Frenchic. Can I ask if you used the finishing paint on this or just put the outdoor/indoor stuff on? I'm easily confused & not on Facebook to find out the step by step instructions.

I'm not sure if my pictures attached?

@Letsplough it's the "al fresco" range you need. No primer or finishing coat

I am wanting to paint our front door but keep reading rather confusing guides. Ours is UPVC, what did you have to do from start to finish? I keep reading they have to be stripped but I would imagine that is just for wooden doors?!

@Neverendingweeds

In order:

1. wash down thoroughly with sugar soap
2. rinse
3. thoroughly dry
4. lightly sand all over ( normal sand paper will do)
5. masking tape
6. start painting

Leave 2 hours between coats

The brushes go rock hard if you leave them so rinse between coats and wrap in damp cloth

Try for thin layers that you build up - will take 3 coats at least

If painting in direct sun keep the paint covered as it hardens fast