How To Paint A Garage Door? An Easy Instruction

Your home’s exterior can be completely transformed at a relatively low cost and with very little work by simply painting your old garage door. Furthermore, painting is the ideal solution for hiding oxidized, chipped doors that are detracting from the curb appeal of your house. When preparing and painting a garage door, there are a few essential steps to follow for a high-quality appearance that will last for years.

To paint a garage door: you need to make a preparation, such as buying the right paint, checking the weather, and preparing the tools and materials. During the painting process, you need to wash the garage door, tape off areas you don’t want to paint, prime the garage door, paint the recesses, paint the stiles, and keep it clean. After the process, you need to maintain a painted garage door.

Continue reading to find out more.

Before You Begin

One of the most common mistakes people make when painting a garage door is purchasing the wrong paint. It’s crucial to purchase the proper exterior paint for the job because garage doors can be made of a variety of materials, including vinyl, aluminum, wood, and more. Make sure you find the best paint and primer for the job by carefully reading the manufacturer’s label before making a purchase.

Before painting, check the weather. Two to three days of moderate temperatures, no rain, and low humidity are what you should prepare for. It’s best to check the label on your particular paint for the precise ideal painting conditions. Keep in mind that flat surfaces like garage doors, especially metal ones, will frequently be hotter than the outside temperature.

Safety Considerations

Whenever you use paint and painting products such as brush cleaner, mineral spirits, and other similar chemicals, you should always wear a mask rated for fumes. When painting, especially on surfaces above eye level, it’s a good idea to wear eye protection as well as when chipping or sanding old paint.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

Scraper
Stiff wire brush
Sanding pad
Hose with sprayer
Bucket
Sponge
Handheld paint pail
Roller pan
6-inch roller frame
Fume-rated mask
Safety glasses

Materials

Exterior paint
Exterior primer
Painter’s tape
3/8-inch roller heads
Paintbrush
Paint stirrers
Rags

How To Paint A Garage Door?

Wash The Garage Door

Your garage door and home’s exterior may get particularly dirty if it’s close to a street. Make sure to thoroughly wash your garage door because you don’t want the dust to contaminate the fresh paint. It only requires a bucket of water, a washcloth, and possibly a hose if it is nearby. You might want to rent a power washer if your garage doors are particularly filthy.

Pro tip: After cleaning the door and before painting, spread out a drop cloth to catch any drips that may fall onto the cement.

Tape Off Areas You Don’t Want To Paint

To keep the finished product even and prevent paint from getting into areas you don’t want it to be painted, you’ll need to outline your workspace if your garage door has any design, such as rectangular slits, patterns, or multiple colors. Painter’s tape is inexpensive and simple to use. To make even lines on the door that the paint won’t bleed through, roll it out and stick it there. Only if painting portions of the garage with two different colors and around the edges of the garage door frame are you required to do this.

Prime The Garage Door

The garage door should first be primed using a paintbrush. Just enough to give the paint a base on which to adhere, only one very thin layer is required. To use the brush for painting later, thoroughly wash it after use. If you’re only painting the garage door in a few small spots, you can omit the priming step.

Paint The Recesses

Start painting with a paintbrush once you’re prepared to do so. If the door has any recessed areas, fill them in before carefully painting into the corners and main surfaces. To ensure an even coat when painting these, try to avoid painting the stiles (the raised edges).

Pro tip: Maintain a wet edge when painting with a brush, but avoid dripping!) so that the paint doesn’t run or streak.

Paint The Stiles

following, paint the stiles. It is easiest to do this with a roller and a pan because they are above the recesses. As a result, the job is completed quickly and your paint strokes remain fluid.

To make it look professional, apply a second paint coat if the primer is still visible through the paint. Prior to adding the subsequent coat, let the previous one dry for about 12 hours. Usually, a second coat is not necessary, but it might be if you’re painting your door a shade lighter than the one it was originally.

Keep It Clean

A garage door’s appearance can be greatly improved by regular maintenance. Every now and then, give it a gentle wash to prevent the dirt from damaging your paint.

How To Maintain A Painted Garage Door?

Maintaining a painted garage door in a clean, dust-free state is the best thing you can do for it. The finish will remain spotless and avoid the need for a complete refinish job down the road in areas that receive a lot of sun exposure with regular deep cleaning and repainting with exterior paint.

Suggested reading: One of the best ways to quickly improve the appearance and ambiance of a space where you probably spend a lot of time is by updating your kitchen cabinets. So, how much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

When To Call In A Professional To Paint A Garage Door

It’s common for people to paint their own garage doors, but there’s also the choice to hire a pro. If you have more than one garage door or don’t have enough time to complete the task yourself, you may choose to take this path. If the garage door is old or hasn’t been painted in a while and requires additional preparation before painting, you might also decide to do that.

The benefits of hiring a professional are that the work will be done quickly, with a professional appearance, and with no need for your time. You will have to pay for their time because they are not only bringing the materials but also performing the labor. Costs can range from $200 to $1,000, depending on the scope of the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Time Should Pass Between Paint Applications On A Garage Door?

To ensure that each coat of paint or primer has fully dried and won’t smear, give it at least 12 hours between applications. This is a longer wait than you would typically have to give paint time to dry inside your house.

Is The Garage Door First Required To Be Primed?

Although it is not necessary, the primer will improve the adhesion of the paint. The job looks better for a longer time because of this. Use paint with a built-in primer if you decide against priming the garage door.

Is It Possible To Roller-paint A Garage Door?

If your garage door is flat, all but the edges could be done with a roller. If there are any recesses, only use a roller for the stiles to keep it tidy.

What Is The Price Of Painting A Garage Door?

A garage door will cost between $150 and $200 to paint yourself, depending on the quality of the paint you purchase and the size of the door. Costs may reach $1,000 if you hire a professional.