Garage door painting is a practical alternative if you don’t have a budget for a new garage door installation in Los Angeles yet. But while a nice paint job can make your outdated door look as good as new, it’s only possible if you do it right.
So, for this post, we’ll give you some tips for painting a garage door, ideas for the best results, and mistakes to watch out for. Keep reading and see what many homeowners do wrong whenever they are painting their doors!
Why consider garage door painting?
Garage door painting is more than just about enhancing the visual appeal of your home’s exterior. It can also give you the following benefits:
- Preventing rust on metal doors. Painting is a good way to prevent rust on your garage door since it acts as a shield against corrosion-inducing moisture. Painting metal garage doors will also fill small dents and scratches where moisture can penetrate and cause widespread rusting.
- Protecting wood doors from rotting. Moisture and insect pests are two of the biggest factors that will affect the lifespan of a wood garage door. Painting will help block these two elements to keep your wood door in good shape.
- Hiding minor imperfections. Are you frustrated about the scratches, fading, and discoloration on your garage door panels? A nice paint job can hide all these imperfections instead of replacing all the affected panels at once.
- Protecting your door from salty air. Salty air can also increase your need for garage door repair in Los Angeles, especially if you live in coastal Southern California. But by painting your garage door, you’re shielding it against corrosion or wood decay.
- Replacing faded or chipped paint. If your garage door’s old paint is already chipping, peeling, or fading, it’s time to freshen it up. This way, you can restore the aesthetic and improve the durability of your door.
How to choose the right garage door paint
Selecting the right paint is crucial to ensure that it matches the material of your door and your home’s exterior. Here’s what you have to keep in mind:
Choosing the right paint type
If you’ve done a paint job before, you know that not all paints can be used on every surface. The wrong choice of paint will not dry or spread properly, which will create more problems on your door.
So, if you’re new to paint types, here’s a quick rundown of what you should use per garage door material:
- Wood doors. We recommend oil-based or latex-based paints as these stick well on wood surfaces, especially exterior ones like your garage door.
- Metal doors. If you’re painting aluminum garage doors, it’s best to use high-quality urethane or latex paint.
- Vinyl doors. Similar to metal garage doors, vinyl panels are best covered with urethane or latex paint. These paint types are also best for composite and fiberglass doors.
Choosing the right color
Next, you also have to get the right color based on two main aspects: curb appeal and heat absorption.
For the most part, curb appeal is a matter of personal taste. You’re always free to choose the paint color you think matches your home’s exterior.
However, you also have to consider how your choice of color will fare in terms of heat absorption. For example, painting a garage door black may not be wise if your door faces the sun directly. Dark colors absorb a lot of heat, which means your garage will feel scorching, especially on a hot summer day.
On the other hand, light colors like cream, light gray, beige, sky blue, and taupe are effective in reflecting light. It’s a good option to reduce the temperature inside your garage and extend the lifespan of your door and the paint itself.
8 garage door painting tips for the best results
To make sure you’ll get the most out of your garage door painting cost, you should keep the following tips in mind:
1. Take prep work seriously
Before you even open that can of paint, make sure you give your door a deep clean first. You can use a bristle brush, mild soap, and water to scrub away any gunk and dirt. But if you want a faster solution, you can also use a power washer in a low setting to strip any deep-seated dirt on your door panels.
After that, wipe the door and let it bone dry before you start the paint job. While waiting, prepare the surrounding exterior by putting down a tarp to cover the garage floor. Line the edges of the doorway with painter’s tape to prevent the paint from bleeding through as you work on your door.
Overall, do prep work religiously before painting. The last thing you should do is paint over a layer of dirt. When you do this, your new paint will peel off fast, and the finish will look uneven.
2. Watch out for strong winds
Strong winds will block dirt and debris from entering your wet paint, leading to an uneven and dirty finish, which you may have to redo. In addition, strong winds may leave streak marks, and they will cause the paint to land on unwanted surfaces if you’re using a sprayer.
It’s ideal to paint your garage door when the wind is blowing gently at under 8 mph. If it’s anything around 15 mph, you should consider rescheduling your paint job. While a nice wind can help with drying, strong gusts will only cause uneven spots that are time-consuming to fix.
3. Overlap each painting stroke
Whether you’re using a paintbrush, roller, or sprayer, make sure you overlap each stroke for even coverage. It will make your paint blend well instead of leaving visible roller or brush marks.
In addition, overlapping strokes will enhance the adhesion between coats and save you from unnecessary touch-ups to fix ugly spots.
4. Apply coats in alternate directions
Depending on the color and quality of your paint, you’ll need to apply 2 to 3 coats. Make sure to apply the coats in alternate directions to avoid a ‘stripy’ finish on your garage door.
So, if your first coat is horizontal, you should apply the next one vertically. Doing this will also ensure the paint gets to fill crevices and grooves you can’t cover in just one direction. At the same time, painting coats in alternate directions will reduce drips and runs on your garage door.
5. Sand in between coats
Yes, you read that right, first-timers! The secret to a smooth garage door finish is to sand each dried coat before applying the next one.
Fine-grit sandpaper of around 180 to 220 is a good option for removing scratches or coarse spots. It’s also effective for blending in brush strokes that you missed while painting. Take note that you only need to sand lightly; anything too gritty or forceful will strip the layer of paint you’ve just applied.
6. Consider painting inside, too!
If your garage door doesn’t have any insulation, consider painting its interior, too! Painting the inside of garage doors will protect it against wood-eating pests, rust, rotting, and premature damage.
7. Don’t forget to seal after painting
After the final coat, make sure you apply a sealant for an added layer of protection on your garage door. A clear sealant will add further moisture and stain resistance, making the paint last longer.
At the same time, make sure you also apply the sealant on the edges of your door where the paint ends. This way, moisture won’t seep through these spots over time.
8. Leave the door open for faster drying
Lastly, keep your garage door open while waiting for it to dry. This is especially true if you’ve also painted the interior side. Opening the door will keep your garage door ventilated to prevent inhalation of the paint fumes.
Aside from that, opening your newly painted garage door will prevent debris from settling on the wet surface. It will also minimize the risk of runs or drips if you mistakenly apply a very thick coat.
5 garage door painting ideas for maximum curb appeal
If you’re planning to paint your garage door but are still unsure about the color or style, the following ideas might suit your exterior well:
- Pastel shades for coastal homes. If you live in a coastal area, pastel shades would complement your garage door style. They have a bright and airy feel and reflect light and heat well.
- Rustic finishes are ideal for rural settings. Rustic garage door paints would surely add curb appeal to country-style homes. However, rustic finishes may require more maintenance to maintain their earthy look.
- Faux wood finishes for natural appeal. Whether you have a wood or metal door, faux wood finishes are a great choice. You can opt for light shades, which will reflect sunlight while blending well with your property.
- Bold colors for an eye-catching design. If you want to make a statement, you can go for solid, bold colors. However, if you live in a California HOA neighborhood, make sure you check the rules first. Some HOAs may have specific standards when it comes to the appearance of your door.
- Textured paint for added dimension. Textured finishes, such as faux stone, stucco, metallic, or wood grain types, will add depth to your garage door. They’re also a great way to blend the new paint with the rest of your home’s exterior.
Mistakes to avoid when painting a garage door
Aside from knowing what to do, you should also be aware of the things you should avoid when doing a door paint job. With that said, make sure you don’t commit these mistakes many homeowners make when trying to spruce up their garage doors.
- Using interior paint. We’ve seen this mistake in some DIY painting projects in LA when we’re called for garage door repairs. Take note that interior paint can’t hold up on exterior elements. It will peel off easily and leave ugly marks on your door.
- Not using a primer. Applying a primer before painting will ensure good adhesion. Skipping this step will leave you with an uneven finish, especially if your garage door is made of wood and other porous materials.
- Applying too much paint. Avoid applying very heavy or thick coats because they will only drip on hinges and other moving parts of your garage door. When this happens, your door may not open or close smoothly, straining the opener and leading to a garage door opener repair in Los Angeles in the long run.
- Rushing between paint coats. It’s important to let each coat dry well before applying another one. Rushing between coats will cause wrinkling, bubbling, or a muddy appearance. It will also cause the two coats to stick, which will mess up the entire paint job.
- Ignoring garage door damages. You should never paint over rotting wood or rusted metal panels. Ensure you get it repaired or replaced first to maintain your door’s structural integrity. Painting over damages will only hide the problem and make it worse over time.
Need help fixing your garage door before painting? Call Rock Garage Door Repair today!
Take note that your garage door’s functionality is as important as its aesthetic. So, if your door panels are damaged, feel free to contact us at Rock Garage Door Repair for a quick fix!
For problems that garage door painting alone can’t fix, we are your go-to experts. We provide openers, tracks, garage door spring repair in Los Angeles, and fixes for any components!
All our technicians are licensed and insured for your peace of mind. We’re also on call 24/7 for any garage door problem you may have, wherever you are in LA and surrounding areas. Feel free to reach out to us for same-day and emergency repairs—our specialists will restore your garage door fast!
