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Paint Your Garage Door
Painting your metal garage door is an easy do-it-yourself home improvement project that immediately enhances the look of your home. By taking the time to properly paint your garage door, you also extend its life expectancy. Be cautious and careful. There is a correct procedure to accomplishing this exterior painting task.
Head to your local True Value hardware store for the right advice and products you'll need to update your garage door and follow the do-it-yourself steps below to get started!
Step 1. Prepare the Door
Garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds and can be very dangerous to maneuver. Do not try to dismantle any parts of the door. If you want to uninstall it before painting, hire a professional to remove the door. To begin the project, spray the entire area with an all-purpose cleaner and thoroughly clean off any dirt or dust with a cloth.
Use painter's tape to cover handles, trims and flooring. Put a drop cloth or tarps below the door to protect the driveway.
Step 2. Sand the Door
Clear off any loose paint with a wire brush and remove any rusted areas with a paint scraper. If necessary, use a chemical stripper followed by a sanding sponge to remove all old paint. For a flat surface, use a palm or circular sander. Make certain to sand all exposed areas.
Safety Alert!
- Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask while sanding.
Step 3. Prime the Door
The majority of garage doors are made out of metal, so prime the area with a latex primer like True Value WeatherAll® latex primer before painting. Apply primer using a wide paint brush, paint roller or paint sprayer. If applying with a paint sprayer, use a piece of cardboard as a shield to protect surrounding areas. Allow primer to dry for at least a half hour.
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Helpful Tip:
- If your garage door is relatively new, chances are it has already been primed. There is no need to re-prime unless it's been damaged.
Safety Alert!
- When painting inside the garage, make sure you are in a well-ventilated area. Wear both a dust mask and safety goggles.
Step 4. Paint the Door
As with priming, you can use a wide paint brush, roller or sprayer to apply True Value WeatherAll® latex paint to the surface. If using a paint sprayer, practice spraying on a piece of cardboard. Make adjustments to the sprayer if needed. Once you're comfortable with the operation, start spraying the door using the same technique you did when applying the spray primer. Be careful not to get any runs and paint both inside and outside of garage door. Let paint dry for 30 minutes, then apply another coat.
Helpful Tips:
- A semi-gloss sheen is recommended for easy maintenance.
- Paint under proper weather conditions. Do not paint when it's too cold, too hot or when it's raining or freezing. It's also best to avoid painting in direct sunlight or when surface is warm to the touch.
Step 5. Clean Up
Thoroughly rinse your paint brushes or roller covers in water until the water runs clear. Store in plastic bags or hang them on nails or hooks to dry. Remove the drop cloths and pull off painter's tape at a 45-degree angle to avoid removing any fresh paint.
Great job! You've completed a do-it-yourself home improvement project that improves the overall aesthetic of your home while protecting it from the elements. Head to your local local True Value hardware store for any future exterior painting projects and advice.
For more projects, go to TrueValuePaint.com. >
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