How to Paint a Garage Door

How to Paint a Garage Door

If you have a garage with a dedicated garage door, painting this is an easy way to transform the exterior of your home.

You may have just got a new front door and want the garage door to match (without the added expense). Or maybe you’ve just painted your UPVC front door but have no idea where to start on your metal or wooden garage door.

Below is a guide to painting your garage door from Speedy.

 

Step by step: How to paint a garage door

The most important thing to consider is the material of your garage door. Most modern doors are made from metal, but an older door could be wood, so buy the correct paint. It also needs to be appropriate for external use.

Painting needs to be done in the correct conditions. For optimum drying, the temperature should be between 8°C and 25°C. So, pick a lovely day in spring or summer for this job.

 

START HIRING TODAY

 

You will need:

• Palm sander
• Sanding block
• Plastic scraper
• Sugar soap
• Paint sprayer
• Dust sheets
• Suitable paint (exterior, weather, and door material friendly)
• Primer (if painting wood)
• Undercoat (if painting metal)
• Paintbrush

 

When hiring from Speedy, you can also purchase any consumables or PPE required for the job. When using a sander and paint sprayer, always wear a dust mask, eye protection, gloves, safety boots, and protective clothing.

 

Step 1: Prepare the door

If your door has previously been painted, there may be signs of flaking paint or other weathering. Use a plastic scraper to try and remove as much of this as possible, and then a palm sander to remove any leftover paint.

Use coarse sandpaper to remove as much old material as you can. Remember the edges, so open the door and sand visible parts, too.

You want the surface to be as smooth and close to the original door as possible. Use a coarse sanding block to get into any minor grooves. Then, use your sugar soap and a sponge to rub the door down and remove any remaining dust and grit.

 

Step 2: Cover surfaces

Now that your garage door is prepared, you must protect your surrounding surfaces. Move as much away as possible, such as plant pots. Use a dust sheet on the ground to protect your driveway, and cover any walls with plastic sheeting and tape.

Then, cover any hardware with masking tape or plastic sheeting. This includes handles, hinges, and anything else you don’t want painted.

 

Step 3: Paint

Once all the above is complete, it is time to paint. If you have a wood garage door, you will likely have to prime it first, so use a brush and small roller to ensure every section is primed and then allow it to dry before moving on.

Most metal paints don’t require a primer if you have a metal door, but you may need an undercoat instead. Do check your paint instructions before you start.

Once your primer or undercoat is dry and ready to go, prepare your paint sprayer.

You can also use a brush and roller, but it will take longer, and you must be aware of streaks. A paint sprayer will give you an even coverage. You may still have to use a paintbrush on any corners and edges when the door is open.

Wait for the paint to dry before giving it a second coat.

 

Step 4: Aftercare

Once your second coat has dried and the edges have been painted, all that is left is the aftercare.

Remove any masking tape and check this over to ensure nothing needs oiling and no screws need replacing.

Then, it is just a matter of washing down your garage door every few months to ensure it looks its best. Just use a bucket of warm, soapy water and a sponge; a pressure washer may be too powerful and chip the paint.

 

READY TO HIRE?

We have paint sprayers to hire, making your internal and external painting jobs quicker, more efficient, and smoother.

Speedy also has thousands of other products available to hire, so we have you covered whether you’re into spring cleaning, gardening, or DIY.

With more than 200 local service centres nationwide, hire availability in B&Q and nationwide 4-hour delivery, it has never been easier to hire the tools and equipment you need.

 

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