How to Paint A Garage Door
While many of us in Western Pennsylvania consider a puck-kissed garage, or exterior door for a garage, a work of art, there comes a time to reclaim that canvas. PPG Paints makes it quick and easy. Follow these painting advice steps to paint an exterior door for your garage.
How to Paint an Exterior Door for Your Garage
How To Paint A Garage Door
Step 1 - Get The Tools For the Job
Necessary tools:
- Sandpaper
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Painter’s Tape
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1–2” Angled Brush
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Paint Tray
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Roller
Optional tools:
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Tarps
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Roller Extender Rod
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Paint Stripper or Heat Gun
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Exterior Primer
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How to Paint an Exterior Door for Your Garage
How To Paint A Garage Door
Step 2: Sanding Your Garage Door
If the exterior door to the garage is made of wood and has cracked, peeling paint or blistered paint, you will need to sand it.
For a metal door, if the surface of the door is cracked or peeling, you will need to remove the paint with a paint stripper or heat gun. Follow the product's instructions.
If there are no cracks or peeling, lightly sand the door.
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WARNING! If you scrape, sand or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. Contact the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD, or log on to www.epa.gov/lead.
How to Paint an Exterior Door for Your Garage
How To Paint A Garage Door
Step 3: Cleaning Your Garage Door
Wash a wooden door with a mild cleaner and rinse well.
If the door is made of metal, wash it with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner and rinse well.
Let dry thoroughly.
How to Paint an Exterior Door for Your Garage
How To Paint A Garage Door
Step 4: Applying Primer To Your Exterior Door
Some paints are not meant to be applied directly to metal, and require an appropriate primer to adhere to aluminum or steel.
If you are changing from a dark-colored door to a lighter color, you will want to use primer so that you do not need to use as many coats of paint to cover the old color.
Also, if you are going from light to dark, have grey added to the primer to lessen the number of coats of paint needed for full coverage.
If the paint you are using is SunProof or Permanizer, you can also “spot prime” with Pitt Tech primer, as needed.
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How to Paint an Exterior Door for Your Garage
How to Paint an Exterior Door for Your Garage
How To Paint A Garage Door
Step 5: Painting Your Exterior Door
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Use the angled brush for any recessed or beveled panel areas.
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Roll on one light coat of your exterior paint on the flat areas of the door.
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Let dry.
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Follow the directions on the paint can for the recommended waiting time before painting the second coat of paint.
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Once the first coat is dry, add a second, light coat and let dry.
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Touch up if needed.
If there are no bare spots and the previous coating is intact, firmly adhered, and properly prepped, use either Permanizer or SunProof.
But if there are any bare spots, we recommend using a DTM – or “direct to metal” – product like Pitt Tech.
How to Paint an Exterior Door for Your Garage
How To Paint A Garage Door
Step 6: Admire Your Handiwork
You've prepped, sanded, washed, and painted. Now that the project is done, don't forget to enjoy the result! A properly executed project deserves to be admired.
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