Can you paint your garage door? Yes, but there are considerations.
A fresh coat can be the fastest way to restore the door’s shine or create a new look that complements your home’s exterior. Either way, painting your garage door is a small investment in time and money, which rewards you by enhancing your home’s curb appeal. If you want to repaint your garage door, our guide walks you through the considerations and tips for a successful project.
What Types of Garage Doors Can You Paint On?
Garage doors are made from various materials, from fiberglass and metal to solid wood. These materials have different characteristics and different painting needs. As a homeowner, you may have asked yourself, can you paint a metal garage door? What about vinyl?
Metal doors, for instance, need washing with trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution before sanding with fine-grit sandpaper to remove rust and peeling paint. Then, you’ll need to use a primer designed for metal, such as zinc-based primer and top it with oil-based paint. Wooden doors also require specific primers and sealants to cover cracks, prevent moisture and preserve the material.
Since different materials may require different primers and exterior paints, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s recommendation to ensure a quality outcome.
Things to Consider Before Painting Your Garage Door
Applying a new coat of paint to your garage door is one of the many maintenance tips that save you money in the long run. The paint serves as a protective layer that combats damage and degradation, preserving the door’s life span.
Here are things to consider to ensure a proper paint job:
- Type of door: Consider your door’s material to determine which primers and paints are compatible. Getting the right products for your paint job promotes adhesion and longevity.
- Condition of the door: It is crucial to assess the condition of your garage door before repainting. If it has damage or serious signs of wear, you should resolve that before applying a fresh coat. Wooden doors, for example, may have cracks, mold, termite infestation and even rot. Metal doors may have dents or corrosion. In such cases, call a technician for a professional inspection and repair before painting the door.
- Prepping needs: Before painting your garage door, go over the prepping steps. These may include pressure washing or scrubbing the door with a sponge to remove dirt, grime and chipping paint. Rough edges and old paint may need light sanding. Once you prime the door, allow enough time for the coat to dry before applying paint.
- Weather conditions: Extreme temperatures will impact how the paint dries and may cause premature flaking or fading. Watch the weather to choose a dry day that’s neither too cold nor too hot.
- Warranty terms: Check the manufacturer’s warranty before repainting your garage door. The manufacturer may have guidelines for applying cosmetics, and you may have to stick to a specific color range to avoid voiding your warranty.
How to Paint Garage Doors
Painting involves a few critical steps that require care and attention to bring out the door’s original shine. Since painting is one of the various garage door preventive maintenance strategies to ensure top shape, consider doing things right the first time by working with an expert. That said, here are steps to painting your garage door:
- Mix the paint: After your primer has dried, mix the paint in a bucket away from direct sunlight. Mix the paint thoroughly to get the right consistency and prevent separation.
- Paint the door panel: The bulk of the task is painting the panel, which is often split into multiple squares. You can paint with rollers or traditional brushes. Whichever method you use, keep track of the amount of paint that goes into individual squares to ensure the entire panel remains consistent in color.
- Paint the trim: The trim is a key part of your garage door, and painting it the same or a different color allows it to blend or contrast with the door.
- Paint the frame: The door frame can be just as tricky to paint as the stiles and rails. Pay attention to the frame for cohesive blending.
- Add another coat: Your garage door likely won’t need more than two coats of paint. However, make two the minimum so that you can achieve the most durable and seamless finish.
How Long Does a Garage Door Paint Last
A high-quality paint job on a proper surface should last just as long as the original paint. On average, garage door paint can last five to ten years with good maintenance. However, various factors impact the life span of a garage door paint job, such as:
- Surface preparation: A well-prepared surface is necessary for the paint to stick effectively.
- Paint quality: Top-quality paints from recognized brands are well-tested for durability and last longer than low-quality alternatives.
- Expertise: Skill is crucial to doing things properly. Consider professional services for long-term performance.
- Weather condition: Garage doors are exposed to the elements. In areas with severe weather, the paint may deteriorate sooner than usual.
- Maintenance: Proper maintenance is key to preserving the quality of your garage door paint.
Safety Considerations When Painting
Painting tasks like preparing the surface, sanding, filling and applying primer and paint can expose you to hazardous substances that may contribute to health issues. Exposure to substances such as metals, chemicals and fungi depends on the task, product and the level of precaution you take.
Since different products have different safety precautions, paying attention to the label for adequate care is important. Besides exposure to dangerous substances, there are safety measures for preventing physical harm. Review general painting safety measures to use products correctly and consider working with an expert rather than doing it solo.
When to Consider Replacing Your Garage Door
Your garage door is a prominent part of your home that plays a big role in its overall appearance. When should you consider replacing your garage door over repairs and cosmetic upgrades to ensure improved curb appeal?
If your garage door has served you for a decade or more, it may have performance issues and poor looks due to increased wear. While painting the door can restore its brilliance, it does not resolve the level of wear and tear or improve preexisting damage. In this case, a new door offers upgraded features, excellent appearance and the colors you prefer without sacrificing efficiency.
If you’re interested in changing the door’s material, a replacement is also best. For instance, instead of painting a garage door to look like wood, find a solid wood or premium faux wood material for a woodlike finish with much more robust features.
Upgrade Your Garage Door With Continental Door
For homeowners in the greater Spokane area, the warm summers offer the perfect opportunity to repaint their garage doors. Work with industry experts to ensure excellent quality, appearance and longevity. Continental Door is a garage door provider with expert technicians knowledgeable about different brands.
We provide professional painting and other residential maintenance services. We can also inspect the condition of your garage door and advise on quality replacement.
Schedule a service today to learn more!
