Painting your garage door is a simple project that can add a great deal of curb appeal to your home. Whether you use a roller or paintbrush, the process is easy and relatively quick.

Make sure to work under the right conditions, as it is important to avoid working in rain or hot sun. It is also necessary to have adequate supplies for clean up.

Preparation

It’s important to do a good job when painting your garage door. A sloppy paint job will stand out and leave behind marks. To prevent this, follow these steps to prepare the door for painting:

Start by washing the entire surface of the garage door. This will remove any dirt, grime or grease and ensure that your finished result is clean and crisp. This is especially important if you’re painting a metal garage door as it will promote the longevity of your paint job. You can use a sponge soaked in hot soapy water to wash the surface of your garage door. Be sure to rinse well with a hose and blot dry before you begin to paint.

Next, sand the surface of your garage door if necessary. This will give the new paint a smooth finish and help to get rid of any rough areas where the old paint has come away. Then you’ll need to vacuum and wipe down the entire surface of your garage door to remove any dust or dirt left over from sanding. Once your surface is free of any dust and dirt, you can move on to the priming stage.

When it comes to primer, there are a lot of different products available on the market, so choose one that is suitable for your door and the type of paint you’re going to be using. Many latex exterior primers will work well on both metal and wood doors, but if you have any doubts, consult an expert for advice.

Once your prime has dried, you can begin the actual painting process. It’s best to paint your garage door using a quality brush rather than a roller as the bristles will enable you to get into all of those nooks and crannies. Start at the top of your garage door and work your way down if you have vertical panels or side-to-side if you have a horizontally-oriented door. It’s also a good idea to apply two coats of paint – allow each coat to dry overnight before opening your garage door.

Primer

Before you start painting, it is vital to prepare your garage doors. If you skip this step, your finished job won’t look as good and will likely not last as long.

You can’t just go out and buy any old paint for your garage doors – you need to use an exterior primer specifically designed for the material they are made from. You should also purchase a high-quality brush and roller for this project to help ensure you get the best finish possible.

Before starting to apply any primer or paint, make sure you clean the surface of the garage doors thoroughly to remove any dirt, grime or mould. Hose down the surfaces and wash with hot soapy water – be careful not to use too much pressure as this can dent metal or score wood. Rinse the surfaces and let them dry completely.

Once your garage door is clean, it’s time to apply your primer. Depending on your product, you may need to apply more than one coat. Remember to give it at least 12 hours between each coat to allow it to dry properly. If you’re planning on painting your garage doors a dark colour, it’s important to prime first with a light color such as white. This will ensure the darker colour goes on evenly.

A high-quality brush is ideal for priming a garage door, as you need to be able to get into the corners and any small gaps. A roller is also suitable, but you may need to work in sections to get the smoothest finish. If you’re using a roller, it is recommended that you use a foam roller for the smoothest finish.

Ideally, you should use an acrylic or direct-to-metal exterior primer when applying your first coat. This will prevent the garage door from rusting. Once the primer has dried, you can start to paint the doors. Start with the bottom panels, working your way up, then move onto the middle and upper panels. It’s usually easier to paint the top panels from a ladder or step stool rather than standing on the floor.

Paint

If your garage door has a lot of wear and tear or simply is not the right color for your home, it may be time to give it a makeover. You can either paint the doors or replace them entirely with new doors that match your house’s design and your style. You can choose from a wide array of colors, finishes and textures that will create the look you want. If you choose to repaint your existing doors, it is important to use exterior latex paint for the best results. This will provide the longest lasting finish, as it protects your doors from the elements and holds up to abrasions.

To get the best results from your painting job, you will want to have a high attention to detail and plenty of patience. It can take up to a week for the paint to cure properly, and it is recommended that you park your car in another location while this work is being done to avoid damaging the freshly painted surface.

When you are ready to begin, lay down a drop cloth below your work area to protect it from drips and spills. Mix your paint well, and allow it to sit for the amount of time recommended on the label. You can use a paint tray, a paint stick, or a brush to apply your primer and paint. Use a large brush for the flat areas of the door, and a roller brush for any textured or recessed panels. Allow each coat of primer to dry completely before applying a second coat.

After the second coat of primer, you will be ready to start painting your new color. Depending on your color choice, you will likely need to apply a few more coats of paint for full coverage. To speed up the process, you can use a power sprayer to quickly cover a large area. If you are using this tool, be sure to practice on a piece of cardboard first to get the hang of it.

A good tip is to use a rag with denaturated alcohol or nail polish remover to rub down the panel edges where you have been working. This will give you an idea of whether the previous owner used latex or oil-based paint, and it will help ensure that your new coat is compatible with your existing finish.

Finish

A little bit of elbow grease and some patience can get you a garage door that looks brand new. A quality paint job can last years, and a good finish will make your home look better too. If you have the time and attention to detail, a DIY project like this is within reach, but if you’re not up for the challenge, there are professional painters who can do the work quickly and for a price that’s comparable to what you’d spend on materials.

Before you start painting, take a good look at the door and decide what color it will be. Choose a high-quality exterior acrylic or direct-to-metal paint that’s formulated to weather well and resist fading. If the garage door is metal, you’ll also want to apply a rust-inhibitive primer before your topcoat.

If you’re painting a metal or PVCu door, it’s best to use a specialist metal paint. A range like Hammerite’s will do the trick, and you can also purchase metal-effect primer to help ensure your final coat of paint sticks to the surface.

Once the primer has dried, it’s time to start on the paint. Whether you’re using a brush and roller or a sprayer, it’s important to prepare the area surrounding your work by laying drop cloths and taping areas that might be susceptible to overspray or smears. If you’re using a sprayer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set it up and operate it safely.

You’ll want to apply two or three coats of paint to your garage door, depending on the color and coverage you prefer. Aim for even coverage and a thick, solid layer. After each coat, allow the paint to dry for at least 12 hours – or according to the manufacturer’s guidance.

When the final coat of paint has dried, you can apply a clear glaze to give your garage door an attractive gloss. When the glaze is dry, you can drag a whisk-broom across the finish to add a wood grain effect and give the door more depth. If your garage door is made of metal, you can also drag the end of a wire brush through the glaze to create faux-rust.