BY ROBERT BROOME, OWNER
Painting your garage door can completely revitalize the curb appeal of your home and will add a protective outer coating for your garage’s entranceway. But this project can quickly go awry if you don’t follow a few simple steps for painting a garage door correctly.
Today, we’ll outline everything you need to know about how to paint a garage door to get the best results possible.
When everything is functioning properly, it can be easy to forget your garage door is even there. However, as time goes on, the appearance of your garage door can begin to lose its luster. Painting your garage door is a quick and easy way to enhance the appearance of your home. You can add a new color for a sharp looking contrast, or even add a textured paint to give it a wood-look.
Beyond giving the front of your home a better look, another benefit you may not have considered is how painting your garage door helps to seal it off for protection against the elements. Small scratches and dents that wear off your garage door’s protective paint can expose the metal beneath over time. When subjected to the elements, metal will rust and corrode. Properly priming and painting any exposed metal adds that protective layer back in, which can extend the life of your garage door.
First and foremost, the garage door surface must be properly prepared for painting. A thorough, deep clean before painting can be performed using common household materials. Below, we’ll outline two options for mixing your own, basic household garage door cleaners.
Option 1: Laundry Detergent Garage Door Cleaner
Option 2: Ammonia Garage Door Cleaner
If you encounter minor imperfections, such as small scratches that have not left the metal substrate exposed, they can be lightly sanded or buffed to create a smoother surface. With your gloves, safety glasses, and mask on, you can carefully sand the area. But be careful not to overbuff the surface—you do not want the metal substrate exposed as this can increase the chance of rusting.
To prevent rusting, any exposed metal must be treated. If there is exposed metal on the garage door, lightly sand the area and apply a primer specifically designed to protect exposed galvanized steel from rust and corrosion.
After the door has been cleaned and all imperfections or exposed metal have been addressed, it’s time to paint. For the best results, painting must be completed within 24 hours using high-quality latex exterior house paint.
Pay close attention to the weather in your area. It’s best to avoid painting when temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The best temperature range is between 50 degrees and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll also want a relatively low humidity, without any rain in the forecast at least for a couple days to really help the paint set in well.
Ensure the paint is mixed well—mechanical mixing is recommended to ensure that no settling on the bottom of the container remains. Use painter’s tape to cover up anything, like windows that you don’t want paint on. Place the painter’s drop cloth on both sides of the door to catch any drips.
Apply a uniform coat of paint at the manufacturer’s recommended dry film thickness range. Generally, one-gallon of paint is more than enough for a two-car garage door. Start at the bottom, then ease over to the middle and continue to work your way up. Use your step ladder to reach the high portion of the door. Save the trim for last. Let the paint dry for at least 12 hours before attempting a second coat. Once completely finished, remove your painters tape and let your new paint dry overnight.
The next day, use the “touch test” to make sure the paint is dry and isn’t sticky. High-humidity like we can get in the North Carolina summers can take longer to dry. Once the paint is dry to the touch, you can open and close your door worry-free.
Garage Door Painting Pro Tips
When it comes to your garage door, it’s easy to push a button and forget about the whole operation until there’s a problem. For any garage door repair questions you may have, our skilled technicians can be a trusted resource to help you understand all your options.
To book a free garage door consultation with one of experienced garage professionals, just give us a call at 704-397-3002, book your appointment right online, or fill out our handy online contact form and we’ll be in touch.
Give Us A Call: (704) 397-3002
