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How to Paint Metal Garage Doors
If you have a metal garage door and the paint is faded, peeling, or cracked, it can seriously detract from the curb appeal of your home and drag down its overall appearance. While we understand that painting a metal garage door successfully can be challenging, with the right method and a little help from the painting pros at Five Star Painting®, you can paint your mental garage door, give it a fresh, updated look, and improve the curb appeal of your home.
Here are the things we’ll review to help you successfully paint your metal garage door:
Choosing the Right Color
Choosing a paint color for your metal garage door is one of the most difficult aspects of the entire process, so there are a few things to keep in mind. If your door was previously painted, you may want to choose a color that's close to the original paint color.
However, if you're ready to completely change things up, choose a color that complements the brick, siding, doors, trim, and other exterior aspects of your home. In most cases, it's best to steer clear of loud or extremely bright colors, especially if you think you may put your home on the market in the near future. Or, if you live in an HOA community (Homeowners Association), it’s a good idea to get the color you intend to use pre-approved before you purchase it. This will save you the headache and cost of having to repaint your garage door if the color is not approved by your HOA. In this situation, it’s better to be proactive than reactive.
Your local painting pros can provide color recommendations that are best suited for your space. However, if the job seems too much for you to take on right now, contact a Five Star Painting pro in your area for a free estimate. Pros like Five Star Painting use only high-quality paints from Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Benjamin Moor, so you can be assured of a great looking, long lasting paint job. Once you’ve settled on the perfect color, it’s time to paint!
If you do decide to take a DIY approach to painting your metal garage door, here are some helpful steps you should follow:
How to Paint Metal Garage Doors
Before you can actually start painting, there is some prep work that needs to get done. First, you'll want to schedule your paint project for when the weather is comfortable and dry. This is important because the paint may not dry to the desired finish if it's too hot, cold, or if conditions are too damp or wet from recent rain.
Use the steps below to paint your metal garage door:
- Prep the surface: Remove any old, flaking paint and clean the surface area with a degreaser (or cleaner) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry. You can also use a pressure washer to remove any stubborn paint, dirt, and debris.
- Cover exterior fixtures: Mask off any windows and hardware, then lay a drop cloth in the area where you will be painting. This will save you the time and trouble of trying to remove paint from your driveway or walkway after your garage paint job is done.
- Apply primer: Apply a primer to give the garage door surface a smooth, even finish and to help the paint adhere better to the metal. You can use any primer designed for metal, whether it’s a spray-on variety or liquid that you apply with a paintbrush or roller.
- Paint: Once the primer has thoroughly dried (reference the manufacturer's dry time), it's time to paint. Acrylic latex exterior house paint is usually the best choice, as it adheres to metal surfaces really well. In most cases, a single coat of paint is all it takes (providing you applied a primer and use a similar color shade)\ Keep in mind that it could take more than one coat to achieve good coverage if you're painting the garage door a color that's much lighter than the original color.
Note: While this project will likely take a weekend to complete, once you see how it impacts the beauty of your home, you'll agree it was worth the time and effort.
FAQs About Painting Metal Garage Doors
What kind of paint do you use on a metal garage door?
Our pros recommend using acrylic latex exterior house paint because it can withstand temperature fluctuations and moisture really well. It also adheres to metal surfaces easily and reduces the chances of chipping and peeling over time.
Is it a good idea to paint a metal garage door?
Yes, it’s a good idea to paint a metal garage door, especially if the paint is faded, peeling and/or cracking. A new coat of paint on your metal garage door will enhance the overall appearance of your home, provide a protective barrier, and help it better withstand extreme weather conditions.
Do I need to prime a metal garage door before painting?
It’s recommended to prime a metal garage door before painting to help the paint adhere better to the metal surface. A primer will also help minimize bleed-through if you’re going from a dark color to a lighter color.
Can you paint over metal garage doors?
Yes, you can paint over metal garage doors using the advice and four-step method described in this article. You can also hire a local painting pro to ensure a high-quality, long-lasting paint job.
Need Help Painting Your Metal Garage Door?
While repainting your metal garage door can really improve the appearance of your home, it does require an investment of time and effort to ensure success. Choosing the right color and doing the necessary prep work are essential to achieve a quality, long-lasting paint job. If you have the desire, but lack the time and expertise required to get this paint project done, the pros at your local Five Star Painting can help. We know that painting a metal garage door isn't for everyone. Our team of professional painting experts have the experience and expertise to give your garage door, and any other part of your home a fresh, new look.
To learn more, explore our exterior home painting services or schedule a free estimate today!
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