A fresh coat of paint on your front door can enhance both your mood and your property value.

If your front door is faded and peeling or you are just in the mood for change, a fresh coat of paint is a quick way to improve your home’s curb appeal.

Step 1: Whether you choose to remove the door and place it on a pair of sawhorses or you decide to paint the door where it stands, you will want to cover the ground with a dropcloth or newspaper. For eastern- or western-exposed homes, plan ahead so you will not be painting in direct sunlight.

Step 2: If the door hardware is easily removed, take it off before going any further. Otherwise, cover it completely with blue painters tape.

Step 3: Scrape away the loose paint and fill any holes or cracks with exterior wood putty. If you have a steel door, auto body filler such as Bondo works best.

Step 4: Sand all surfaces to be painted with 100-grit paper. You may need a slightly coarser grit to smooth any rough spots.

Step 5: Wash the door with a nonresidual cleaner such as TSP or Dirtex. Allow the door to dry completely before proceeding.

Step 6: Prime any bare spots with a good exterior primer. For troubled doors, an oil-based primer works best. If red is your color of choice, prime the entire surface area with a gray primer to ensure proper coverage.

Step 7: Once the primer has dried completely, use a good quality brush to apply the paint. Begin with any edges, trim or detailed areas and then move on to the flat surfaces of the door. If you are using a semi-gloss or glossy paint, be sure to stir the paint periodically throughout the process to maintain an even surface sheen.

Step 8: Allow the first coat to dry completely and then apply a second coat in the same manner.

For deep, rich colors a third coat of paint may be necessary. Once the paint has dried completely, remove any tape, re-install any hardware, clean up your tools and close the door on a job well-done.