Latex Paint

• One particular paint used on exterior doors is latex. Latex paint is a water-based product that provides a breathable, flexible finish that expands and contracts with the surface that it is painted on.
  
  

Using Latex Paint on Wood Doors

• Latex paint is best used on porous surfaces such as wood. You can use latex on a steel exterior door as long as the door is primed first. Latex paints are favored because of easy water cleanup.
  
  

Oil-Based Paint

• Another paint used for exterior doors is oil-based. This paint literally uses oil as its base component.
  
  

Using Oil-Based Paint for Steel Doors

• Oil-based paint is an excellent product for steel doors. Unlike latex paint, oil base paints are not breathable or flexible. These paints provide a very strong cover for exterior doors that will hold up to extreme weather conditions.
  
  

Cleaning Tools When Using Oil-Based Paint

• Cleanup after using oil-based paints requires paint thinner. Many people do not like oil paints for this reason.
  
  

Longest Lasting Paint

• Exterior doors suffer a lot of abuse from weather and usage. Oil-based paints will last longer than latex paints on wood or steel.