How to Prep & Paint an Aluminum Garage Door in Mussel Shoals, CA the Right Way

Having an old, dingy garage door can be a real eyesore. This is a simple, yet fun way to spruce up the look of your home and add curb appeal. Your garage is one of the first things people see when they drive by or come over. You want your home to be a representation of you. Painting your garage door is a great way to add some personality to the exterior of your home, without having to break the bank. You don’t want to dive into a project like this without knowing the fundamentals first though. McKay’s Painting is going to break down how to paint your garage the right way, step by step for a flawless finish every time!

Tools, Supplies & Equipment Needed to Paint Garage Door

– All-purpose cleaner
– Clean disposable cloths
– Drop cloth or flattened cardboard boxes
– Wire brush or fine grit sandpaper
– Painter’s tape
– 2-3 inch and wide paintbrush or Paint sprayer
– Dust mask/rubber gloves/safety goggles
– Primer and Paint of choice (Be sure to choose a paint that is specially formulated for exterior use)

Prepping Garage Door for Painting

Before beginning, check the forecast to ensure the next three days will have good weather with no rain, low humidity and no extreme temperatures. These factors are huge when it comes to the quality of your paint job. You don’t want to paint if it’s going to rain as it will ruin the paint and cause bubbling, chipping etc. Proper surface prep before painting is perhaps the most important part of this process. Begin by spraying your garage down with a good all-purpose cleaner and give the garage a good scrub down with your clean cloth to remove any dirt, dust or debris on the surface. If there is any superficial rust or chipping paint, use your wire brush or sandpaper to sand the door until smooth. This will allow the primer and paint to adhere to the surface of the door. After it’s all clean, use a garden hose or pressure washer to give the door a good rinsing. When the door has completely dried, lay down your drop cloth or broken-down cardboard boxes beneath the door. Then use your painter’s tape and mask the windows, handles and trim on and around the door.

Prime Garage Door

This part is especially important if you are changing the garage door from one shade to another. It also lays out a foundation for the paint and helps it to stick to the metal or aluminum surface more efficiently. The shade of primer you use will be based on the tone of paint you’ve chosen. Consult with your local paint store to determine which prime and paint will work best together for your project. Apply the primer using a wide paintbrush or paint sprayer. Then once the whole door has been primed, allow 24 hours for the door to dry completely.

Paint Garage Door

Using the paint you’ve chosen, you can now begin painting your door. If using paint brushes, use your 2-3-inch-wide brush to paint the recessed areas first then move onto the rest of the door using your wide paintbrush. If you’re using a paint sprayer you should apply the paint to a piece of cardboard first to ensure no adjustments are needed, you don’t want your paint to drip while painting. Allow 24 hours for paint to dry completely, then apply a second coat. Your second coat will cover up any blotches or light spots left behind on the first coat. Allow another 24 hours for the paint to dry completely before operating garage door.

Painting Services & More in Ventura, Ojai, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills & Santa Barbara California

McKay’s Painting hopes these helpful tips will help you on your journey to a more aesthetically pleasing garage door! If this sounds like a laundry list of to-dos, you’re right. Painting takes patience and expertise for a flawless finish. McKay’s Painting offers garage door painting and can assist you in choosing the right shade for your home. If you have further questions, give us a call! We’ll be there.