Well, for the outside of the door, most likely you want oil based enamel, especially if it's older, since that's probably what's on there already.

about 25% of the outer side of it doesn't have any paint on it... I'll ask Jed what IS actually on it. I'm hoping he'll make it this wkend to do a few things for me.

thx for your input. do you think oil would be best with the AZ sun beating on it? do they make special door paint?

If there is bare metal, you want a metal primer, such as Rustoleum. Remove any loose paint, and if the old paint is shiny, rough it up with sandpaper. Once it is primed, you can paint it with any durable house paint.

We have a metal front door but unfortunately it is white which shows everything. A new roof and roofing dust all over the front door. Don't paint it white....

We paint our door every 4 years or so (when paint from the trim starts coming off). We sand the trim areas where needed, chalk, prim it and then paint it. We had to do it more often until a painter told us with the enamel paint to let the primer set for a week before applying the paint. Such great advice which works wonderfully. Wish we had known this trick years ago.

Oh, if the hot sun beams down on your door you might have to paint it more often.

good to know about the letting the primer set

on my way out with the dog I did take another look at the door. the bare area isn't as big as my eyes/mind 'saw' it. it's about a 4 x 6 spot with a strip about 1 x 6 running down below that.

" a metal primer, such as Rustoleum"
' thx MC! I've seen spray cans of that at W. Is it ok to 'spray' prime it?

would it be the same for metal cabinet handles - primer and then paint? or just scruff/sand them and then paint?

btw MC - how about more pics of your new place?

Spray primer should be fine. Use a hard paint (like spray paint) on handles, as soft paints like latex wall paints won't hold up.

BTW- I updated my build thread.