We painted our front door when we refreshed the exterior brick of our house in October, and I mentioned then that I used a specialty door paint. The product is Benjamin Moore’s Grand Entrance in the color Tranquility, available in either a satin base or an ultra-high gloss, mirror-like finish. After reading the label’s promise, I decided to try the high-gloss option—and I’m so glad I did.
Photos don’t fully capture the effect. The door looks rich and reflective in person, with a deep sheen that contrasts beautifully with the matte finish on the painted brick. The finish is glossy enough that you can clearly see reflections—definitely a luxe, eye-catching look.
I’ve painted both sides of our front door and then continued around the house, repainting several more exterior doors in the same color and finish. After painting four doors (some double-sided), I have a handful of tips and a video that shows the finish more convincingly than photos do.
Grand Entrance isn’t inexpensive—around $44 a quart—so it’s an investment. There are even more premium high-gloss paints that cost well over $100 a quart, but this Benjamin Moore option delivers a similar high-shine look at a more approachable price. I still had roughly a quarter of a quart left after painting four doors, so I estimate the paint cost around $11 per door in my case.
A big caveat: high-gloss paint magnifies imperfections. If the surface isn’t properly prepped—filled, sanded, and cleaned—the finish will show every flaw. I’ve seen even expensive paints look terrible when applied without careful prep. Sand down bumps, fill cracks, and remove dust and cobwebs. Skipping these steps can result in a glossy surface that looks worse than a semi-gloss finish.
Regarding application method: use a high-quality 2″ angled brush. I painted every part of each door with a brush, not a sprayer or roller. While sprayers and foam rollers can leave stipple or texture, a long, smooth brush stroke produces a more attractive finish with high-gloss paint. A pro painter I know also prefers brushes for high-gloss doors, so that’s my recommendation.
When painting paneled doors, follow a logical sequence to keep brush strokes consistent and minimize lap marks: first paint the recessed areas along their grain, then the raised panels, and finish with the larger horizontal rails and vertical stiles. This order helps you maintain a seamless appearance across the door surface.
One practical tip for doors with glass: I prefer to paint over the glass and then scrape the paint off afterward with a razor. However, this particular high-gloss finish dries extremely hard and can dull blades quickly. If paint ends up on the glass, remove it within a day or two rather than waiting; scraping dried high-gloss paint becomes much harder and more time-consuming.
I painted a kitchen door that faces the garage to match the foyer door. The high-gloss finish ties nicely with the tumbled marble tile nearby and gives the door a refined, modern look. For application, I used an angled brush and worked carefully to keep strokes smooth and consistent.
Overall, the high-gloss finish is dramatic and rewarding if you’re willing to do the prep work and use the right tools. It creates a striking contrast against matte surfaces and adds a touch of polish to any entry. If you decide to try it, take your time prepping the surface, use a quality angled brush, and address any paint on glass promptly. I’m thrilled with our results and happy to show off these glossy doors to neighbors and friends.
*This post contains affiliate links*