Garage doors face a lot of wear and tear, whether you’re using them to store lawn care tools, host BBQs, or set up a DIY woodworking shop. If you plan to tackle home maintenance, painting your garage door is an excellent task to add. Follow these six steps to paint your garage door, and find out how Jandres Painting Services, LLC can handle your exterior painting projects.
What Kind of Paint Should You Use on Garage Doors?
One of the most common mistakes people make when painting a garage door is picking the wrong type of paint. What kind of paint for garage door? The right paint for your garage door depends on the material it’s made from. To find out what material your garage door is made of, look for a sticker inside the door.
Different materials need different kinds of paint for the best results. For example, metal doors need specific paint to prevent rust, while wooden doors require paint that can handle moisture and temperature changes.
Below, we’ll cover the three main types of garage door materials and recommend the best paint for each. This will help ensure your paint job looks great and lasts for years.
Vinyl Garage Doors
For vinyl garage doors, the best paint to use is latex exterior paint. Latex paint sticks well to vinyl and provides a durable finish. Oil-based paints are not suitable for vinyl doors because they don’t adhere properly, which can lead to peeling and flaking. If you want your paint job to look good and last, use high-quality latex exterior paint. Additionally, cleaning and preparing the surface before painting will help make sure the paint sticks well and gives you the best results.
Wood Garage Doors
For wooden garage doors, we recommend using latex exterior paint. When painting a wooden door, consider its current color, the new color you want, and whether it has been painted before. If the wood is bare, you’ll need to use a stain-blocking primer if you choose a lighter color than the wood’s natural shade. If the door has been painted before, preparing it for a new coat is an extra step. Don’t worry—we’ll explain this additional step later.
Metal Garage Doors
For metal garage doors, the best choice is acrylic or direct-to-metal exterior paint. If your door has rust spots, prime those areas with a rust-inhibiting primer to ensure better coverage. High-quality paint with a satin finish is also recommended to help maintain the color and provide a durable finish.
What You’ll Need to Paint a Garage Door
Before painting your garage door, ensure you have all the necessary tools and materials. Here’s a helpful list to ensure you have everything you need for a smooth painting process:
Tools Needed:
- Safety glasses
- Mask
- Work gloves
- All-purpose cleaner
- Scraper
- Stiff wire brush
- Palm sander with a sanding pad
- Bucket and sponge
- Hose with spray attachment
- Paintbrush
- Paint roller with roller heads
- Paint stirrers
- Wash rags
Materials Needed:
- Exterior primer (latex or oil-based, depending on your garage door material)
- Exterior paint (latex or oil-based, depending on your garage door material)
- Painter’s tape
- Drop cloth
These tools and materials will help make your garage door painting project more accessible and efficient.
Step 1: Check the Weather
The weather can affect your garage door painting project, so it’s essential to plan accordingly. Aim to paint your garage door on a weekend or over a few days when the weather is favorable. Low humidity, indirect sunlight, and 50-75 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal. These conditions help the paint adhere properly, prevent moisture from getting trapped under the paint, and ensure the paint dries completely.
Avoid painting if it’s raining or if there’s high humidity. Moisture can cause the paint to stick incorrectly, leading to peeling and cracking. Choosing the right weather will give your garage door a smoother, more durable finish.
Step 2: Prep Your Garage Door’s Surface
The second step in painting your garage door is appropriately preparing the surface. A well-prepared surface is crucial for a smooth and long-lasting paint job. How well you prep your garage door will significantly affect the new paint’s appearance.
Start by using a wire brush to remove rust, old paint, dirt, chips, or grime. Then, smooth the surface using a palm sander with a fine-grit sanding pad.
Next, clean the garage door with an all-purpose cleaner and a giant sponge. After cleaning, rinse the door with a hose and sprayer. While power washing can speed up the process, it’s not necessary.
Repeat the cleaning and sanding steps if you find any missed spots until the door is immaculate and smooth. Use rags or towels to wipe away any excess water, and let the garage door dry completely before moving on to painting.
Step 3: Tape Off Areas You Don’t Want to Paint
Taking the time to tape off areas you don’t want to paint will help ensure a neat and professional finish. Use painter’s tape to cover handles, locks, and any trim around the garage door. It will help you achieve clean, precise paint lines and prevent paint from getting on these surfaces.
Additionally, consider placing a drop cloth on your garage floor and driveway to protect them from paint splatters and spills. Properly taping off and protecting these areas will give your garage door a polished look and smooth the entire painting process.
To make painting your garage door easier on your back, turn off the electric opener and lift the door manually to adjust its height as you work. It will help you reach all areas comfortably without straining yourself.
Step 4: Prime the Garage Door
Begin by priming any inset panels on your garage door. Carefully wipe away any excess primer that spills outside the panels to ensure a smooth finish. Next, use a paint roller to apply primer to the rest of the door, starting from the bottom and working your way up.
Let the primer dry for at least 24 hours before you continue with the next step. It will ensure that the primer has fully set and provides a good base for your topcoat of paint. This extra time will help you achieve a more even and professional-looking finish.
Step 5: Now It’s Time to Paint!
Here comes the fun part! While it might be tempting to start painting immediately, following some best practices will give you the best results.
Start by painting any inset panels on the garage door, just like you did with the primer. Make sure to wipe away any extra paint that gets outside the panels to avoid streaks. Once the panels are done, move on to the edges of the door. Paint these areas in 2-inch sections, working your way around the perimeter.
Finally, use a roller to paint the rest of the garage door. This approach will help you achieve a smooth and even finish. Enjoy the process and watch your garage door transform.
Step 6: Add Another Coat of Exterior Paint
Once you’ve finished the first coat of paint, take a moment to check your work. If there are no patches or streaks, you’re on the right track! However, most garage doors need a second coat for the best results.
After allowing the first coat to dry for at least 12 hours, apply the second coat using the same techniques you used before. It will help you achieve a nice, even finish and make your garage door look great.
Get Started on Your Garage Door Painting with Jandres Painting Services, LLC
And just like that—your garage door will look refreshed and new! Although the six steps might seem straightforward, the process can be time-consuming and tedious. The results can be disappointing if the wrong paint or preparation isn’t done.
The professional painters at Jandres Painting Services, LLC can handle this critical project quickly and efficiently, so you don’t have to lift a finger. Start your garage door painting project by getting an estimate or giving one of our local team members a call. Let us take care of everything for you!
