How Do I Paint My Garage Door?

Are you unsatisfied with the color of your garage door? Is the paint chipping off? Are you wondering whether or not you can repaint your garage door safely, and in the color you desire? Now is as good a time as ever to repaint your garage door and upgrade the face of your home. Wondering where to start? Check out the guide below!

In this guide, you’ll learn how to paint metal doors, but for wooden doors you may need to contact a professional painter. Whether your metal door is insulated or non-insulated, you should be able to follow the instructions here to paint it.

Before you begin:

Remember that you cannot buy oil‑based paints in any hardware or large store. Alkyd paints are toxic and there are laws against the use of lead in paint. Now, you will find water‑based paints, or latex paints that are available in the store. Only professionals can use oil‑based paints for different projects.

Some of the most popular paint brands include SICO, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, DULUX, Behr, and much more!

The tools you’ll need:

Some of the important tools you’ll need include:

• A tray for your paint drippings
• Cloth to clean the door and wipe up paint splatters
• A 4" (or 10 cm) paintbrush made of polyester or nylon, with a good synthetic feel
• A woven fabric roller with a short‑pile of 3⁄16" or 6 cm, and a roller about 5" or 15 cm wide
• A 220‑grit sandpaper sheet to work with any impressions or designs that are on the garage door
• Masking tape to cover windows and all areas near the door that you don’t want to get paint on

The tools you’ll need:

How much paint you’ll need in your situation depends on the size of your door as well as the size and surface area you’re painting. Other factors of consideration include:

• The size of the door itself; for instance, a double‑wide garage door will require 1 gallon of paint
• The age of the door; primer may be required if your door is older
• Whether you want a matte or semi‑gloss top coat for your door

Remember: Your door will be constantly exposed to sunlight and the elements. Hours of exposure means that color can fade quickly. This is why it is recommended to stay away from darker colors for your garage door. It’s easier for dark colors to attract ultraviolet sun rays, which can heat up the metal and warp the door itself. If your garage door is heavily shaded, though, then you do not need to worry about this warning.

Preparing for the project:

Here’s what you need to do to prepare for this project:

• Carefully and thoroughly wash each section of your door with a TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) cleaner. This will remove all dirt, grease, oil, and chalky residue from the door.
• Rinse with water and let it dry completely before beginning.
• Avoid using steel wool to clean the door, as this can cause a lot of damage.
• You can use sandpaper to roughen up some of the indentations or embossments on the door, as this will help the paint adhere more easily.
• Clean the PVC window frames or PVC decorations as well.
• Use a cloth or a hand vacuum to get rid of remaining dust and dirt.

Applying the base coat:

Think about these methods while preparing to apply the base coat:

• You should only have to apply a primer before your base coat if the enamel of your garage door has worn or peeled off, or if any steel or rust is visible. It is recommended to use a zinc phosphate primer.
• Dry the base coat for at least 16 hours or more before applying the top coat on top of it.

Applying the top coat:

Here’s how you can go about applying the top coat:

• Once your base coat is dry, carefully apply one or two layers of your top coat.
• Remember to let the first layer dry completely before applying the second layer, as this helps it to adhere better.

Having your door painted by a specialist – is it possible?

You can absolutely have your door painted by a specialist instead. A qualified painter should come from a company who is specialized in painting to guarantee the best quality of work. This work usually entails paint from an industrial sprayer.

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in learning more about this procedure, you can contact us at 905-569-9133 for Mississauga and 905-873-4848 for Georgetown at any time. When we work with you, we will find the best products and services to best serve your needs. If you get in touch with us, we can send you a quote by email, too.

Want to see us in person? Come and visit our showroom! Use our Design Centre online to design your own colorful garage door for your own home! Lastly, you can see what others have done by looking at our image gallery for more inspiration.