14 Garage Door Painting Tips

Garage door painting, plus other considerations (like the type of garage entry door to install), can impact your home’s function and curb appeal. Many garage doors need a fresh coat of paint every few years. It not only looks good but can also protect the door. Whether you’ve never painted a garage door or it’s been a while since you last did, here are 14 garage door painting tips to help you along.

  1. Move Your Vehicle Outside: It doesn’t directly affect the paint job, but you should move your car and other items out of the garage. Decluttering the space protects valuables from stray paint droplets and gives you more room to work.
  2. Wait Until a Cool Day: When planning to paint your garage door, check the weather forecast. A temperature between 50℉ and 75℉ is best for painting. Also, plan the project for a three-day window when there’s low humidity, and try to time it for when you can work out of direct sunlight.
  3. Prep the Garage Door: Wear work gloves, safety goggles, and a dust mask. Use a wire brush to remove any rust. Then use fine-grit sandpaper to sand any rough areas. This will create a smooth base to work with when you start garage door painting.
  4. Clean the Garage Door: The best paint job is on a clean, smooth surface. To clean your garage door, use a sponge or cloth that’s been soaked in warm soapy water. You can then rinse the surface clean with a garden hose. Avoid using a pressure washer. Using clean towels or rags, dry the garage door and wait an hour for it to air dry.
  5. Protect Anything You Don’t Want Paint On: Place drop cloths under the door to avoid getting paint on the floor or your driveway. To protect doors, you can use masking tape and paper to create a type of awning. To protect windows, trims, locks, and handles, you can use heavy-duty painter’s tape.
  6. Set the Garage Door in Manual Mode: Disconnect the door from the electric garage door opener. You can then move the door manually, raising and lowering it as needed to avoid straining yourself while painting. 
  7. Find a Paint Primer Suited for the Material: Check the product label for details on the material it’s suited for. Use an exterior paint primer. When priming inset panels, use a 2-inch paintbrush with nylon bristles. The stiles can then be primed using the brush or a ¾-inch roller. Paint the trim last. 
  8. Work from Bottom to Top: Now that your door is in manual mode, you can start painting it from the bottom, starting with the inner panels and working outward. Lower the door as you go, until you reach the top portion.
  9. Purchase a Protective Paint: A garage door paint that is UV-, rust-, and moisture-resistant will last longer, making your effort worth it.
  10. Consider Using a Spray Paint: Spray painting your garage door is a faster process. It also makes it easier to reach tight areas, which can be more challenging with rollers and brushes. When spray painting a garage door, go from left to right, then up and down. Use a small or medium brush to paint the trim.
  11. Let the Door Dry in the Lifted Position: Once the door is fully coated, lift it so it’s facing toward the ceiling. This protects wet paint from insects and speeds up the drying process. But first, make sure the ceiling is free of dirt and dust.
  12. Fill in the Gaps: To be as thorough as possible, fill in the gaps after the paint dries. To paint the gaps between each section, lower the door section by section to access one space at a time. When the seam is open, you can paint between the segments and leave the door partially open until these areas dry.
  13. Wait at Least 12 Hours to Apply a Second Coat: If the paint is uneven or the old color is showing through, let the first coat dry for 12 hours and then apply a second coat. Remove any tape you applied and let the paint dry overnight.
  14. Use an Oil-Based Primer and Paint for Aluminum Garage Doors: Wooden garage doors are easier to paint. Since steel and aluminum doors are already coated, paint jobs need to be redone every few years. An oil-based primer and paint should be used. While more difficult to clean up, the paint can help match a repainting job on your home’s exterior, add a contrasting color, or replace a worn baked enamel or powder coat.

Schedule Garage Door Repair or a Free Estimate

Mesa Garage Doors installs and repairs garage doors in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Factory-trained, our technicians can provide any garage door service you need. For a free repair estimate, advice, or more information on garage door painting, call (800) 893-1107 or email us at info@mesagaragedoors.com. 

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Do I Need Garage Door Panel Replacement?

When your garage door is damaged, garage door panel replacement can avoid having to replace the entire system. It can be cost-effective if the damage is limited to a single panel. Depending on its design and construction or, for example, the reason the garage door won’t close in the rain, you may not be able to replace individual panels. Consult with the manufacturer or a garage door professional to determine your best option. 

*It costs about $350 to $700 to replace a garage door panel (some jobs can exceed $3,000), so you want to proceed with caution.1

Why Should I Replace a Garage Door Panel?

If the damage is limited and doesn’t compromise the structural integrity of the door, garage door panel replacement is feasible. Some of the reasons to consider this option include:

  • Collisions: Backing your vehicle into the door or an impact by a ball or other object can cause localized damage, such as scratches, dents, and deformities.
  • Wear and Tear: Garage door panels can be stressed by the repeated opening and closing of the door. Hinges can weaken and cracks can form in individual panels.
  • Exposure to the Elements: Rain, snow, wind, ultraviolet light, and more can wear away at garage door panels over time. Fading, discoloration, rust, warping, and general deterioration may warrant replacing panels.
  • Simpler Fixes Aren’t Possible: Depending on the scale of the damage and the material, small dents and scratches can be fixed without replacing the panel. Consult with a professional to determine if panel replacement is the best option.

Whether individual panels can be replaced depends on the garage door model. Some garage doors are designed as single, cohesive units. These must be replaced as a whole. But again, it’s best to consult with a professional who’s familiar with different makes and models and their repair requirements.

Can I Replace More than One Garage Door Panel?

There are different approaches to garage door panel replacement. In many cases, you can save and avoid having to replace the entire door. If a panel can be replaced while maintaining the door’s safety, structural integrity, and functionality, the choices may include:

  • Single-Panel Replacement: If the damage is limited in scale, and you can match a single replacement panel to the rest of the door, one panel can be replaced. Matching the panel allows for seamless integration and helps preserve the door’s original design. It can also resolve issues to avoid more extensive repairs and extend the unit’s life.
  • Multi-Panel Replacement: If your garage door has numerous panels and multiple damaged sections, you can, for example, replace two panels. However, the cost of repairs will be higher than replacing a single panel (sometimes as much as a garage door replacement). If the repair cost is exceedingly high, replacing the entire system makes more sense.
  • Color- and Shade Matching: Whether you’re replacing one or two panels, they must match the other panels on your garage door. Every detail must be considered. The color and shade of your garage door can change over time. Replacing a faded panel won’t have ideal results if you don’t match the color. A garage door professional can help maintain harmony by finding the right panel or properly painting or staining it.

Is DIY Garage Door Panel Replacement Possible?

Replacing a garage door panel requires special skills, tools, and safety precautions. The weight of the door can make it very challenging. There’s also a high risk of additional damage or injury. A professional also knows every factor to consider, including:

  • Your garage door’s/panel’s measurements
  • The manufacturer and model of the door
  • The types of joints and hinges used 
  • How to match the color of a replacement panel with the rest of the garage door 

Therefore, a contractor can ensure a seamless installation process.

When Should I Consider Complete Garage Door Replacement?

Replacing just one or two panels may not resolve the problem if your wooden garage door is sagging and there are gaps when it closes. The issue may be with your automatic garage door opener. Cracked wood, peeling paint, poor performance, or a lack of efficiency can indicate more widespread problems that can only be fully resolved by replacing your entire garage door system.

Call Mesa for Help with Garage Door Panel Replacement

At Mesa Garage Doors, we can fix all types of garage doors, no matter the type of damage. Our technicians can resolve the issue if your garage door won’t close, makes noise, is uneven, or reverses direction. From broken springs to damaged panels, our team can quickly repair and restore your garage door. Get your free repair estimate online or call (800) 893-1107 to get started; we are available 24/7.

Source:

  1. https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-garage-door-panel-replacement-cost.htm  
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