Thinking about making a change to your garage door? Whether it’s old and faded, or you’re repainting your entire home and want the garage door to match, repainting is possible. However, there are a few things that you will need to know. We’ll cover that all below.
Before we start, though, understand that the information provided here is for metal doors (insulated or uninsulated). If you have a wood garage door, you’ll need to speak with a paint specialist.
Know Your Paints
Prior to starting the project, understand that you will not be able to purchase oil-based (alkyd) paints. Those are only available to licensed professionals. You’ll need to use water-based latex paints, due to lead laws. With that being said, there’s a host of high-quality paint brands on the market, including:
The Tools for the Job
Before you can paint the garage door, you’ll need to make sure that you have the right tools on hand. You’ll need a four-inch paint brush with synthetic bristles, as well as a five-inch woven fabric roller (short pile). Make sure to pick up a paint tray, and a couple of drop cloths to protect the cement around the door. You should also pick up some 220-grit fine sandpaper. Garage doors with windows will require some painter’s tape, too.
Paint Considerations
Now that you have your tools, it’s time to buy the paint you’ll need. Don’t over buy. For a double garage door, you’ll only need a single gallon of paint (four liters). If your garage door is older and has taken some abuse, you’ll probably need a good primer, too. We also recommend going with a semi-gloss or matte paint, rather than a high-gloss paint. If your garage door faces south or southwest, avoid dark colors. These will absorb more UV light and that will shorten the lifespan of your paint job, while also causing the garage door to heat up more quickly. Of course, if your door is shaded, you can ignore that warning.
Preparing Your Door
The next step in this project is to prepare your door. You’ll need to thoroughly clean it. Wash the entire door with trisodium phosphate cleaner so that all grease and oil is removed. Then, rinse it with clean water and allow it to dry. You may need to rough up some of the surfaces on the door, particularly indentations and embossed designs. Use your sandpaper for this, and then vacuum up any paint dust (don’t use steel wool for this). If you have PVC window moldings or trim, it will need to be sanded, as well.
Your First Coat
The base coat will usually be primer, but this is only necessary if the enamel has worn off the door in places due to age or abuse. A single layer of zinc phosphate primer is all you need. Make sure to let it dry for at least 16 hours before applying the first coat of paint.
Your Top Coat
Now it’s time to apply the top coat of paint. With primer, you’ll only need one coat. If you did not use primer, you may need two coats. If that’s the case, make sure to allow the first coat to dry completely before applying a second.
Can I Hire a Paint Pro?
Yes, you can definitely hire a painter to handle this project for you. There are plenty of qualified specialistsout there. In most instances, they’ll use industrial-quality paint applied with a sprayer to make the job even faster. They may also erect a screen or tent around the door to prevent bugs, grit and dirt from getting into the drying paint.
Need More Information?
If you’d like to know more, contact us at any time. You can reach us at 724-287-1673, or feel free to visit the showroom in person. We can also send you an email quote. If you are interested in a new garage door rather than repainting your old one, we invite you to check out our Design Centre to view our garage door styles on your home, or check out the image gallery that features examples of our actual work.