Is your garage starting to look old, tattered and weathered? Maybe the sun has got to it, or maybe there’s a few scratches on it from things that have brushed against it.
If this is the case, you may be asking yourself “how do I freshen my garage door” or “can I paint over a painted garage door?”
The short answer, yes you can!
In this article we will be walking you through “how do you restore a faded metal garage”, and how you can slap on that fresh coat of paint with ease. If you would prefer a professional spruce-up your garage, we also have that option here.
Before we do anything
Before you do anything to your garage, you need to make sure it is clean, tidy and organised. Taking more time to prepare the garage for your garage paint job will save you time and effort in the long-run. Additionally, you may as well take this opportunity to completely clean and organise your garage.
Make sure you:
- Clear all of the things from your garage so you don’t get paint on them and they are not in the way
- Give the garage a good dusting and sweep
- Clean the walls of the garage and the door
- Wash your garage windows
- Clean garage door tracks
- Clean storage cabinets
Steps To Revive Your Garage Door
Reviving your garage door from weathering and garage door rust can seem like a daunting task and you’re probably wondering where do I even start? How do you restore a faded metal garage door? It’s easy to put this task on hold but considering your garage contributes to almost fifty percent of your home’s front exterior image, having a rundown garage can drastically bring down your home’s appearance. Here are some quick easy steps to bring your garage door back to life with a fresh coat of paint, and hide the rust on garage doors.
Step 1 – Choose your paint
Before we begin the whole process it is a good idea to have chosen and obtained the correct paint needed before prepping your door. Depending on the material, whether it’s aluminium or wood, the process and paint will differ. You are going to need paint and primer, or to make things easier, you can use an all-in-one which will save you having to do multiple coats. Questions like how many coats of paint do I need for a garage door will depend on what door you have, as well as what paint. Some key points to take note of when purchasing the paint:
- Less paint is required if using the same colour
- Wooden garage doors require more paint than aluminium ones
- Different tools will use different amounts of paint
- When in doubt, consult a professional on what paints and primers are best suited for your door
Step 2 – Equip the right tools
There are three different ways you can apply the paint while painting a roller door or sectional door.
- Brushes – are good for getting into tight spaces to ensure you cover every single surface but can be very time consuming and may leave brush strokes.
- Spray – allows for quick application of paint across a large surface area. This option is not ideal if you are only painting your garage door as it can be quite wasteful, messy and expensive.
- Rollers – Excellent for the job as they cover large surface areas and provide a smooth finish. The only downfall is that rollers cannot get into hard to reach places and this is where brushes come in handy.
Step 3 – Prep and clean the door
Before you begin painting you will need to strip and clean it first. Depending on the material of your door, use a sanding tool, remove any old paint, rust or grease that could cause your new paint to chip or peel. If your door is metal, then a wire brush is recommended.
Next step –It’s as easy as it sounds. Proceed to give your garage door a quick wash using an all-purpose cleaner or detergent mixed with warm water. Use a small cloth or brush to wipe away anything loose on the surface and caught in between crevices. Finally, rinse off the soapy water and allow for the door to dry before we begin the next step. Cover any surfaces you do not want to get paint on as it can get messy, this includes tarp under the door and painters tape to cover trimmings.
Good preparation will lead to an excellent execution
Step 4 – Let’s paint
Make sure you have checked the weather before painting. Ensure that it’s not too hot, not too cold and that there is definitely no chance of rain. Once the door has dried you can go ahead and apply the primer you have chosen during step 1, if you are still unsure we recommend consulting a professional. Allow for 24 hours for the primer to dry before applying your first coat of paint making sure you paint in one direction – e.g. horizontal or vertical. If applying a second coat, ensure that the first coat is touch-dry and then paint in the opposite direction from the first coat. The second coat should cover any patchy or blotchy areas providing a uniform appearance giving you that perfect finish.
Need more ideas to increase your curb appeal? Have a look at our previous post on how to freshen up your house exterior.
Where to get your garage door serviced, repaired and installed
Gryphon Garage Doors is one of the best garage door companies for sectional and roller door repair in Perth, and have been helping Australians protect their homes and commercial spaces in stylish ways for over 25 years. Why is this important? Well it means we’ve come across countless different jobs, and have had to overcome each one. So no matter your situation, you gotta get a Gryphon. We have:
- Finger proof safety
- Quietest motors on the market
- Trained professionals
- Customised products
- Warranty up to 7 years!
- After sales service
Your garage broke down and you need it to open ASAP? Not a problem, give us a call and we will try our best to get to you today and open your space. We look forward to hearing from you.
