Avoidable Mistakes Everyone Makes When Painting A Garage Door
Garage doors play an important functional role, but they also have a major impact on curb appeal considering how much of your home's exterior they consume. In fact, your garage door might be hurting your home's resale value if it looks old or faded. Replacing a garage door can let you recoup 193.9% of the costs, according to The Journal of Light Construction, with an average cost of $4,513 and a resale value of $8,751. Not every home needs a new garage door, though. If yours still works well, painting it is an easy way to refresh the look and boost your curb appeal. The problem is there are common mistakes many people make when painting a garage door, from choosing the wrong paint type to skipping proper preparation.
Making common garage painting mistakes could cause your door to look worse and leave it exposed to the elements. For example, if you don't prep the surface correctly or if you paint in less-than-ideal conditions, the paint likely won't dry and cure correctly. It could crack, peel, or bubble, which decreases protection against weather in the future. If you don't protect the area around the door, paint splatters may get on your trim or driveway, making those areas look less attractive. Being aware of common garage door painting mistakes will improve your results.
Common garage door painting mistakes during the prep phase
The preparation phase is an important part of painting the exterior of your home like a pro. A common mistake is choosing the wrong type of paint. You need a durable exterior paint option that's compatible with the garage door material. Exterior acrylic latex or oil-based paints work well on wood doors. Vinyl garage doors expand and contract, so they require paint formulations for vinyl surfaces to ensure the paint adheres well while maintaining flexibility. If you're painting a metal garage door, choose paint made for metal to ensure it bonds well to the surface while protecting against rust and corrosion. For any material, semi-gloss and gloss finishes offer durability and easy cleaning, which is helpful for a garage door that is likely to get dirty frequently. Satin finish is also an option for a less shiny look that's still cleanable.
Painting over chipped, peeling, dirty paint is another big mistake. Scrape loose paint with a scraper or wire brush and sand rough patches, being careful not to damage the material. Cleaning your garage door well is also essential due to dirt, grass clippings, and other outdoor debris. Pressure washing could damage the garage door, so manually wash it with a garden hose, mild detergent, and a sponge. Rinse the garage door well and let it dry fully before priming and painting.
Another important step you shouldn't skip is protecting the area around the garage. Use drop cloths to keep paint splatters off your driveway and garage floor. Painter's tape along the trim, hardware, and windows will protect those areas from stray paint.
Mistakes to avoid while painting
Failing to check the weather forecast is a big mistake when painting your garage door. The weather impacts the results of painting, especially when you're painting in an area that's exposed to weather. If you paint on a hot day, a cold day, or a rainy day, you'll likely have issues with the paint drying correctly. Ideally, you need a stretch of a few days with temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit with no rain or excessive humidity, direct sunlight, or strong winds in the forecast.
Another mistake people make is starting in the wrong spot and using the wrong painting tools. If your garage door has recessed or inset areas, start in those areas using a brush to cover all of the nooks, crannies, and details. Then, continue with the flat sections of each garage door panel, starting at the top and working toward the ground. For the larger, flat sections, you can use a roller to apply the paint faster. A paint sprayer is also an option. As you paint, watch for drips or excess paint and brush them away before they dry.
Avoid patchy coverage by priming the garage before applying two coats of paint. However, you might be able to skip the primer if you're repainting the garage door the same color and you don't have any major flaws to cover. Don't rush the paint job — allow each coat of primer and paint to dry fully according to the product instructions and weather conditions for the best results. Primer usually needs at least 12 hours, while paint coats need 8 to 12 hours.