5 Tips on Painting Your Garage Door
Home improvement season is in full swing and the Overhead Door Company of Augusta has the perfect project to make your home pop this summer — painting your residential garage door. This high impact/budget-friendly option is the perfect weekend to-do that can add some serious curb appeal to the front of your home. Below, we’ve listed five tips to help you pick the perfect color, prep, and paint.
Pick A Color, Any Color
There couldn’t be another first step, could there? It can also be a daunting task due to the sheer amount of options available to you. Lucky for you, there are plenty of online resources available to help you pick a color or scheme to suit your home and your vision. Whatever the color, make sure you pick up enough paint so you can thoroughly cover the surface and have some leftover for touch-ups later on. And, if you can, make sure the mixture is a paint and primer two-in-one so you can cut out a step. If not, you’ll have to wait at least 12 hours for the primer to dry.
Preparation Leads to Perfection
You may be tempted to start shellacking as soon as you get back from the hardware store. Before you do, take a little time to prep your door and ensure that it’s ready for the new coat to come. First, remove any rust spots or corroded areas with a wire brush and smooth the resulting areas with fine-grade sandpaper to create a paint-friendly surface. Next, give your door a quick bath. Scrub any visible grime with a good all-purpose cleaner or gentle dish soap, rinse with a high-powered blast from the hose, and give it roughly an hour to dry.
Time to Tape
To achieve sharp lines, lay down a layer of painters tape around the frame of your residential garage door. Doing so will also allow you to go back and highlight the new paint job by adding an accent color to the frame later on. Additionally, make sure to lay down a few layers of newspaper around the base of the door to avoid any unwanted spillage on your driveway.
Paint with the Panel
Now that your door is prepped and ready, it’s time to start the garage door updates. Starting at the top, use a nylon brush or small roller and apply an even coat to each panel. If your door has stiles — those raised surfaces around the edge of the panels — outline each one individually before filling them in. Be sure to wipe away drips or splatter while painting your garage door to ensure a smooth, even coat. Let it dry for at least 12 hours before applying a second coat or moving onto the trim.
Just Replace the Door
Sometimes, a garage door just isn’t worth saving. If that’s the case and you’re in need of a brand new garage door, call the Overhead Door Company of Augusta and we’ll send out one of your experts to talk you through all your options. Or, download the Doorview App, snap a picture of your home, and experiment with our endless selection of doors, finishes, and accessories.
