How to Paint Metal Garage Doors

Faded, peeling, or cracked paint on your garage doors can detract from curb appeal, dragging down the appearance of your entire home. If you have metal doors you may wonder if they can be painted, and if so, how to go about it. Painting a metal garage door involves some time and effort, but in the end it's a great way to give your home a fresh new look!

Choosing a Color

Choosing a paint color may be the most difficult aspect of the entire process, and there are a few things to keep in mind. If the doors were previously painted, you may want to choose a color that's close to the original paint or similar to it. If you're ready to completely change things up, be sure to choose a color that complements the brick or 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 market in the near future.

Now let's get to what you really want to know!

How to Paint Metal Garage Doors

There is a little preparation work involved before you actually start painting. You'll want to paint when the weather is comfortable and dry, as paint may not dry to the desired finish if it's too hot or cold outdoors, or if conditions are damp or wet from recent rain. CLICK HERE to read more about optimal painting temperatures and conditions.

First, prep the surface by removing any old, flaking paint and cleaning with a degreaser or cleaner and a brush. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.

Next you'll want to mask off any windows and hardware; lay a drop cloth in the area where you will be painting.

We recommend applying a primer next because it gives the surface a smooth, even finish and helps the paint adhere better. You can use any primer designed for metal, whether a spray-on variety or liquid applied with a paintbrush.

Once the primer has thoroughly dried, it's time to paint. Acrylic latex exterior house paint is the best choice, but be sure to choose a high quality paint.

In most cases a single coat of paint is all it takes, but keep in mind it could take more than one coat to provide good coverage if you're painting the garage doors a color that's lighter than the original color.

This is a project you could complete over the weekend, and once you see how it impacts your home's beauty you'll be glad you put in the time and effort!

At Five Star Painting we know painting a metal garage door isn't for everyone. Many people live super-busy lives, and others prefer to have someone else take care of those small jobs around the house. If you just don't have the time or painting isn't your thing, no problem! Our team of professional painting experts will be happy to take care of it for you. CLICK HERE to schedule your free estimate online or give us a call: 888-261-3633.

As long as you're sprucing up the garage, why not get it organized? We have some great tips to make the job easier. You'll also find some wonderful ideas for clearing the clutterLink opens in a new tab from our fellow Neighborly®Link opens in a new tab company, Molly Maid.