Your garage door plays a huge role in the overall look and appeal of your home, which means that painting your garage door can further increase the curb appeal of your home. Painting your garage door may seem like a daunting task, which is why we’ve created this guideline for painting your garage in one weekend.
Before you begin, there are three key factors to consider when choosing your paint: type, color and the size of your garage door. To ensure the beauty and longevity of your paint job, let’s take a deeper dive into each of these three factors.
Before you get too excited about choosing the new color for painting your garage door, we need to determine what type of paint (and primer) will work on your particular garage door. You’ll be able to determine this based on the type of material that your garage door is made of. We’ve put together this quick reference guide:
| Garage Door Type | Paint Type |
| Steel or wood | Latex- or oil-based paint |
| Vinyl (or has a plastic overlay) | Latex-based primer and paint that contains a bonding agent |
| Aluminum | Acrylic paint |
Regardless of your garage door type, make sure to choose an exterior paint that will withstand the elements.
Your color palette for painting your garage door is endless! So how do you choose the perfect hue(s)? That depends on your desired effect. Do you want your garage to:
Once you’ve decided on your color(s), make sure to pick a shade that will compliment the overall look of your home. Clashing colors often don’t work and may even reduce the value of your home!
Most standard two-car garage doors will only need one gallon of paint, which will provide two to three solid coats. However the exact amount is dependent on your garage door’s material, size, and the color of the paint you’re using as it compares to the color you’re painting over. For example, if you’re painting over a darker color with a lighter color, you will need more coats of paint than when going from light to dark.
Painting your garage, while not difficult, will take time to do it right. That’s why we recommend being as prepared as possible at the outset of your project. We recommend using the following items:
You’ve picked your color and purchased all your supplies, so now it’s time to paint, right? Yes, but first we recommend checking the weather. You definitely do not want to get caught in the rain while painting your garage! Ideally, you’ll want three consecutive days of 50-80 degree weather with low humidity. Also, it’s a good idea to disengage the automatic opener to ensure the door won’t be opened while you’re painting Once you’re ready, follow these four easy steps for painting your garage:
1. Prepare and clean the door
This is a crucial step that will ensure your paint will adhere to your garage door. We recommend wearing protective eyewear and a dust mask before you scrub or sand your garage door to remove any dust and loose paint. Once that’s done, use dish soap or an all-purpose cleaner to scrub it with a sponge. Hose to rinse it off, then wait for it to completely dry.
2. Prime the door
Once your garage door is dry, line the edges with painter’s tape, covering any hardware that can’t be removed. To protect your driveway from paint splatters, lay down a drop cloth that covers both inside and outside the door. Next you’ll want to apply your primer, one panel at a time by working from bottom to top. Use a small roller to cover the larger areas, and a brush for areas with texture. Allow for a minimum of 12 hours to dry before applying your first coat of paint.
3. Paint the door
Whatever painting method you used to apply your primer, we recommend using the same technique for painting the door. Use long, slow strokes to avoid streaking, and make sure to leave plenty of time for the paint to dry between coats.
4. Paint the trim
Once the garage door is dry, it’s time for the trim! Whether you’re painting your trim the same color as the garage door or using a different color, make sure to tape off accordingly to ensure crisp lines.
Once you’ve achieved the desired coats of paint, remove your painter’s tape and drop cloth, and voilá! Your garage door is done! We hope this guide to painting your garage door has been helpful, and if you need any garage door maintenance or repair, our team of trusted professional garage door technicians is standing by! And if the steps to get your door painted out seem too daunting, you can always explore the colors and finishes available on a new garage door, possibly for less than you might think!