The aesthetic value that a painted garage door can add to the exterior of your house only becomes evident after you see it painted, beautifully contrasting with the walls and roofs – it just gives your house a complete look. Not only is painting your garage door a great way to exercise your creativity, but it also makes for an enjoyable and rewarding outdoor DIY activity.
However, replacing the job of a professional is not easy, and therefore getting a flawless, finished look may require a bunch of tools and a step-by-step guide on how to paint a garage door. And that is exactly what we have shared below – let’s get started on this creative journey.
Table of Contents
What You Will Need
To get the job done with perfection, without help from any professional, you will need a bunch of tools and instruments before you start painting your garage door. We have listed the essentials below:
High-quality latex exterior paint
- Use for a variety of indoor and outdoor project surfaces including wood, metal, plaster, masonry or unglazed ceramic
- Water-based acrylic formula is low odor, resist chips and provides long-lasting protection
- Covers up to 120 sq ft and dries to touch in 30 minutes for quick project completion
- Flat finish minimizes surface imperfections, goes on smoothly and provides excellent hide
- Prior to application sand surfaces with 180/200 grit sandpaper, then wash with a degreaser, allow the surface to dry and apply paint
Latex exterior primer
- A good bonding primer is essential to ensure that topcoats adhere to tough-to-paint surfaces. High adhesion primer increases painting possibilities by bonding to a wide range of surfaces.
- KILZ Adhesion is a unique latex primer developed to bond securely on slick surfaces where a traditional water or oil-base primer will not adhere.
- Bonds to tough-to-paint surfaces including Kynar, PVC, Formica, vinyl, glass, tile, glazed brick, chalky paints, glossy finishes, fiberglass and metals. Topcoat with either latex or oil-based paint.
- Use on most interior and exterior surfaces where a secure bond is critical. This problem solving primer can be used under epoxies, lacquers, and products containing Xylene or other solvents.
- This is a 1-quart can of KILZ Adhesion High-Bonding Interior/Exterior water-based Primer in white. Covers approximately 300 square feet per gallon.
- Use on properly prepared surfaces free of dust, grease, chalk, mold, rust and peeling paint. Mix well before using. Apply with brush, roller, or spray.
- KILZ Adhesion dries to touch within 30 minutes and ready to recoat in an hour.
- KILZ has been making premium primers and paints for 40 years. KILZ was named Paint Brand of the Year in 2015 in the Harris Poll EquiTrend Rankin
Wire brush
- Three different types: The pack includes a brass, nylon and metal brush. Suitable for different surface types, they will address all your cleaning concerns
- Multiple uses: All our brushes serve different purposes! You can use the stainless steel wire brush for rust removal, while the nylon brush is perfect for delicate household appliances. The brass brush is ideal to clean metal surfaces without scratching them
- Ergonomic design: The handles of each wire brushes for cleaning are slightly angular for an optimum grip. Made with high-quality plastic, they will last you a long time
- Portable: 7-inch long, they are easy to pop in your toolbox or handbag! So, whether you are going on a cleaning spree at your office or a friend’s place, our wire brush set can go with you
- Customer satisfaction: We hope you like our product! Each wire scratch brush is versatile, effective and easy-to-use. However, if you have any concerns, please contact us and we will be happy to assist
¾ inch paint roller
- Easy to remove/replace on the roller and reusable for future projects
- 9” in length to easily paint large walls and ceilings
- 3/4” nap designed for rough surfaces
- Roller cover specially designed to distribute paint from the inside
- Compatible with Wagner’s SMART Roller and PaintStick collection
- Designed for Wagner 929, 949 and 959, PaintMate and StainMate, HomeRight PaintStick and HomeRight PaintStick EZ-Twist
- 3/4 polyester blend nap designed for rough surfaces
- Can be washed and used at a future time
- 9 roller len
Painter’s tape
- Designed for use on multiple surfaces such as smooth or lightly textured walls, trim, baseboards, tile and glass
- 14-day clean removal leaves behind no damage or sticky residue
- Medium adhesive
- UV and sunlight resistant
- Size: 1.88 in. x 60
Rubber gloves
- 100% FREE OF LATEX, RUBBER, POWDER, PROTEIN: Protect your hands from any nasty bacteria with the most skin-friendly vinyl single use gloves. Completely Powder, Natural Latex, Rubber & Protein Free, these multipurpose gloves are perfect for an array of uses without causing the slightest discomfort. A safe choice even for people with skin sensitivities or those allergic to rubber and latex.
- EXCELLENT QUALITY DURABLE SYNTHETIC VINYL – NITRILE BLEND GLOVES: Made of the highest quality synthetic vinyl and Nitrile materials, the Medpride latex-free gloves are extra durable yet comfortable to your skin. Stronger and thicker than regular nitrile gloves, they offer improved tactile sensitivity and work great for both commercial or industrial use!
- AMBIDEXTROUS GLOVES – BULK VALUE OF 100: Form fitting with an ambidextrous design, these medium single-use gloves are extremely easy to put on and remove without taking a toll on your dexterity. Coming in a great value-pack of 100 gloves, in a handy dispenser box for easy use and storage, you will always have access to a fresh pair of protective gloves!
- ENDLESS USES FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS & BEYOND: The medical quality exam gloves are great for doctors, medical experts, nurses, dentists, caretakers, veterinarians or any other health professional. Practical and versatile, they can be used for cooking and food prep services, pedicure, painting, cleaning and more. Plus, they double as protective gloves to safeguard your hands from common bacteria.
- ORDER WITH PEACE OF MIND: Medpride is your trusted supplier of effective, top quality medical products that you can count on to equip your personal medical kit. Backed by a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, you have every good reason to choose the Medpride for all your at-home medical suppli
2-inch paintbrush with nylon bristles
- Soft brush tips provide a smooth and even finish with all latex and oil-based paints
- White nylon and gold polyester with chisel trim
- Brass-plated steel ferrule
- Pearl-yellow solid plastic Kaiser han
Fine grit sandpaper
- MEETS ALL YOUR NEED - Including 3 sheets of each grit: 120/220/320/400/600/800/1000/1200/1500/2000/2500/3000, total 36 sheets.
- PREMIUM QUALITY - Made of waterproof silicon carbide, electro coated ensures the grit distributed homogeneously, good for wet and dry sanding.
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL - Suitable for use in art and craft, wood work, automotive, metal, and plastic applications for buffing and polishing.
- EASY TO IDENTIFY - The grits of the sandpaper are printed on the back for easy identification.
- Product size: 9 x 3.6 inches, also can be cut into any smaller size you need easi
All-purpose cleaner
- Kills 99.9% of germs in 30 seconds on hard, nonporous surfaces
- Cleans, disinfects and deodorizes; cuts through tough grease and grime
- Comes in a convenient, trigger bottle; no need to dilute
- Lemon Breeze sc
Drop Cloth
- SAFE AND ECO-FRIENDLY - Much better than plastic disposable drop coverings that clog landfills and end up in waterways. This is made from natural cotton and is reusable for hundreds of applications. This is the big multi-use cloth that can serve for all kinds of activities and needs.
- DURABLE DUCK CANVAS - For long lasting durability, you can wash and reuse this over and over again for years of convenience and easier painting. Tough double stitching lets this canvas go the distance without rips, tears or unraveling.
- SUPER ABSORBENT - To keep spills and drops from spreading. Prevents paint from tracking so you dont get hard to clean marks on floors. Spread this out for big rooms, fold for narrow areas and hallways. This may be the only canvas drop cloth you ever need.
- HEAVY DUTY CANVAS DROP CLOTH - Our professional grade canvas drop cloths is made of premium 100% canvas fabric that has double stitched seams and heavy rot resistant thread. The pack offers 2 pieces of 6’x9’ of the paint drop cloth that is ideal for protecting furniture paint, floor covering or being used as the drop cloth curtains . It Provides you With the stress-free experience for both indoor and outdoor use.
- MULTI PURPOSE AND ECO FRIENDLY - The cotton fabric is reusable that prevents wastage which is more likely while using plastic sheets that are not only degradable but also not affordable to buy new sheet for each use. This cotton cloth is extremely useful Because It can be used as protective drop cloth or paint tarp to protect floors, carpets, equipment, furniture, or absorbing spills, traps dust and debr
Step 1: Planning and checking the weather.
Unlike other DIY activities around the house, this one will need the right weather conditions for the result to be flawless. You do not want to paint on a rainy day! Therefore, you will have to check the weather forecast beforehand and plan your painting endeavor accordingly. The ideal weather conditions for painting your garage door would include low humidity, a temperature anywhere between 50-75 degrees, and indirect sunlight.
Try to take out three consecutive days as close to these weather conditions as possible. Second, gather all your painting essentials – you do not want to realize that you are out of paint in the middle of a coat. Ideally, a gallon of paint will be more than enough for a two-car garage door. Just make sure you have everything before diving in.
Step 2: Cleaning the garage door before beginning to paint.
This step is crucial for a perfect matte finish. Clean your garage door by sanding, washing, and removing rust. First, make sure to put on all the protective gear: rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a dust mask for extra protection. Now, use a wire brush to scrub off any rusted or chipping spots.
Next, use fine-grit sandpaper to make the surface of your garage door smooth. Now, wash the door with an all-purpose cleaner to get rid of any leftover dust and residue – your garage door is now a smooth, clean, empty canvas for you to start painting.
Step 3: Covering and protecting spaces you do not want paint on.
Make sure you cover everything that you do not want to paint or stain while painting. To cover handles, windows, locks on the garage door, you will need heavy-duty painters’ tape. Similarly, to protect the insides of the garage and your driveway, spread out some drop cloth properly both inside and outside the garage.
Step 4: Setting the garage door on manual for ease of movement.
This is another thing you should do before you start painting your garage door – more for your own sake than that of the door. It will be much easier for you to adjust the height of the door as you paint along, so manually opening it at different lengths will be a great way of avoiding backache. Why lower down for the door when the door can do that for you? Hence, do not forget to disconnect the electric opening mechanism before you begin to paint.
Step 5: Priming the garage door for paint.
So, this is the stage where you finally get your hands dirty (not if you cared to wear your protective gloves). Before putting a coat of paint, apply an exterior latex primer for a professional end look. If you think this step is unnecessary, think twice. Priming your garage door will make the paint last longer and give it a finer finish.
First, prime the inset panels (if your garage door has any) with a 2-inch nylon bristles paintbrush. Next, prime the stiles using the same brush or the ¾ inch paint roller. Make sure to get in between the ‘lips’ of the horizontal panels as well. Lower the door as you keep moving bottom-up, priming the trim at the very end. You will now need to let it dry for at least 12 hours.
Step 6: Painting your garage door.
Now that your garage door is cleaned and primed, you can finally start painting your garage door. Follow the exact same sequence, painting the inset panels first, shifting toward the stiles, and finally moving up the door to the trims. Make sure to use high-quality latex exterior paint so that your effort lasts longer.
Step 7: Evaluating the final view.
Finally, stand back and look at the result of your creative efforts. Evaluate if there are any faded spots you would want to put a second coat on or if you’d want to do a different color on top to make the combined color more aesthetically pleasing.
If you see any patches, spots, or old colors are showing through – you may want to go for a second coat of paint. Just wait for at least 12 hours before going in again. Once you are satisfied with what you see, remove the painters’ tape, and let the paint dry overnight before opening the garage door.
Our Final Thoughts
While painting your garage door on your own is a brave decision to make, the result is super rewarding when you see a good-as-new garage door every time you have to drive your car or get something from the garage. It is a great way to unleash some of those creative juices and saves a great deal of money once you learn how to paint yourself. With our easy step-by-step guide on how to paint a garage door, we hope you are ready for your new DIY project.
