The panes in French doors are sometimes called lites.
There's no need to dread painting your French door. Don't let the thought of taping out both sides of all those window panes keep you from freshening up your woodwork. Don't worry about the glass. Go ahead and paint right on the glass. You can simply scrape the paint off the glass using a razor blade or similar item when your painting is complete.
Instructions
1. Prepare your space for painting. Put down a drop cloth on the floor in an area large enough to accomodate your French door or doors. Set up a pair of sawhorses, or any two items that can take the weight of the door and let you work at a comfortable height. Cover these supports, as well, to protect them from paint. This also stops scratches from showing on your newly painted French doors.
2. Remove the pins from the hinges and set them aside. Put the doors up on the supports. Remove all French door hardware including hinges and door handles with a screwdriver.
3. Fill any holes or scratches with wood putty and let dry. Quickly run over the surface of the door with sandpaper. This removes surface bumps from the door. Once done with sandpaper, take a damp cloth and run that over the surface of the door. This picks up any loose particles that may harm your new paint job.
4. Paint one side of the French door with primer. Don't forget the sides of the door too! You will need at least two coats of primer for the best outcome. Allow the primer to dry between coats. Use your judgment here. If you can still easily see the prior color or stain after two coats, a third coat should be applied. When you have finished one side, flip the door over and prime the other side.
5. Paint the door. Use at least two coats here as well, more as needed. Don't forget the sides. Allow the paint to dry between coats. Once one side is complete and dry, flip the door over and finish the painting. Watch all creases and edges in the window areas. Paint and primer loves to pool in there, which creates a less than professional appearance. Check this often while painting and remove any pooled paint.
6. Remove the primer and paint from the glass surfaces with a razor blade or a small glass scraper. The paint actually comes up very easily. You can use a razor blade or a craft knife if areas require any detailed paint removal. If you had bothered to lay tape down first, you will still be doing this step because paint will get into the area on the glass between the wood and the tape. If this is a new French door, there is likely a film of plastic over the glass, which makes this step easy.
7. Rehang your door. Attach all door hardware including the door knob. You may need someone to help get the door back on easily.
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