How To Paint A Garage Door: Step-By-Step
- Devin Spahr
- Jul 3
- 5 min read
Painting your garage door is a quick way to refresh your home’s exterior. Whether you choose a similar color or make a drastic change, it’s important that you know how to paint a garage door the right way.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process, step by step. From tools you need and the best paints and primers to techniques for painting, we cover the steps you need to take for a flawless finish.
And should you decide to hire some professionals to tackle the job, Spahr’s Painting can help. We serve Tucson and the surrounding areas with our professional painting services. If you're looking for a painting company, we serve the entire Tucson area, including Marana and Sahuarita.
Tools Needed
Painter’s tape
Wire brush or sanding block
Medium-grit sandpaper (120-150)
Hose or pressure washer (optional)
Angled paint brush
Roller
Airless sprayer (optional)
Ladder
Safety glasses
Towels
Paint scraper
Exterior paint
Exterior primer
Drop cloths
Mild detergent
Wood filler (if needed)
Preparation
Prepping your garage door properly is essential if you want the paint to stick well and last for a long time. Working over a dirty or flaking garage door will lead to paint that peels and cracks. Here’s how to prepare your garage door before painting:
Clean the garage door and frame. Dirt, grease, and mildew can prevent the paint from adhering. Mix a bucket of warm water with mild detergent, such as dish soap. Scrub the entire door with a sponge or soft brush. Pay extra attention to corners, edges, and the bottom where grim builds up. If there’s mildew, add a little household bleach to the cleaning solution. Rinse thoroughly with a hose or pressure washer on a gentle setting. Let the door dry completely, which might take a few hours.
Remove loose paint, rush, and flaking areas with a wire brush or paint scraper. For metal doors, scrub off any rust spots with a wire brush or sanding block.
Sand the surface to roughen it up for better paint adhesion. Use medium-grit sandpaper to sand any glossy areas to a dull finish. For wood doors, check for splinters or rough spots and sand smooth. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth.
Look for damage. Fill dents or holes with exterior-grade filler or wood putty, depending on the door materials. Let repairs dry and sand them flush.
What Type of Paint Is Best?
The best type of paint for painting garage doors is exterior acrylic latex paint. It works on wood, aluminum, steel, and some fiberglass doors. It’s both flexible and UV-resistant, which helps it avoid cracking, peeling, and fading. Plus, acrylic latex is easy to clean up and dries pretty quickly. Look for “Exterior Door & Trim” or “Exterior Acrylic Latex” on the label.
If your garage door is made of fiberglass, you may need to use a specific coating. Check the door’s manufacturer recommendations before you start painting. High-quality acrylic latex is usually safe, but it’s a good idea to verify.
When choosing the sheen, gloss or semi-gloss are ideal. Both finishes are easier to clean than flat paint and last longer, resisting weathering and damage from bumps and scrapes. Satin can be a good choice too, but it isn’t as durable as gloss or semi-gloss.
Top paints to consider include:
Behr Ultra Stain Blocking Paint & Primer
Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Acrylic Paint
Zinsser Perma-White Rust-Oleum
Behr Premium Direct-to-Metal Interior/Exterior Paint
Diamond Brite All-Purpose Enamel
Sherwin-Williams Duration or SuperPaint (Exterior)
What Primer Is Best?
Before painting garage doors, it’s always a good idea to prime. The right kind of primer depends on your garage door. For example, for a metal door, you’ll want a rust-inhibiting metal primer. Oil-based and latex primers are both fine, but oil-based offers extra protection against rust. We recommend Rust-Oleum Professional Primer (oil-based) or Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 (water-based, with excellent adhesion).
For wood doors, look for a stain-blocking wood primer. These are designed to seal wood, prevent tannin bleed, and improve adhesion. We recommend Kilz 3 Premium Interior/Exterior Primer, Zinsser Cover Stain, or Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Exterior Primer.
Fiberglass or composite garage doors can be tricky to paint. Smooth surfaces make it hard for paint to adhere, so you’ll need a primer that grips. Consider Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 or Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond Primer.
What Temperature Is Best?
Before you start painting your garage door, it’s essential that you take a look at the weather forecast. Ideal temperatures for painting your garage range between 50°F and 85°F (10°C to 29°C). Too hot, and the paint will dry too quickly, leaving lap marks and streaks. Too cold, and the paint won’t cure well, causing peeling or cracking. Also, consider the temperature of the surface. Metal doors, especially, can heat up well above the air temperature when in direct sunlight.
How to Paint a Garage Door
Once you have your paint and primer, it’s time to get to work. Here’s the step-by-step process for painting garage doors:
Clean the garage door, using water and a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely.
Remove loose paint with a wire brush or sanding block. Lightly brush the surface. Wipe off dust with a damp cloth.
Prep the area. Lay down drop cloths to protect the driveway. Tape off trim, handles, window, and weather stripping.
Prime the door. Let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Paint the garage door. Go from top to bottom. Start with recessed panels, if your door has them. Use a brush for edges and corners. Roll the flat surfaces with a foam roller for a smooth finish, applying thin, even coats to avoid drips. A paint sprayer can also be a great choice, but make sure to tape everything off to avoid overspray. Let the first coat dry completely, usually 4 to 6 hours, before applying a second coat. Avoid painting the edges between sections, as fresh paint can stick together when the garage is closed.
Leave the garage open while the paint dries, usually 24-48 hours.
Does the Door Material Change Anything?
Yes, the material your door is made of can affect a number of things when painting, including:
Metal doors: The biggest concern with metal is rust, peeling paint, and temperature fluctuations. You’ll want to remove rust before painting and use a rust-inhibiting metal primer. Avoid dark colors, especially here in Tucson, as too much heat can cause the door to warp. Metal doors expand and contract with temperature, so a flexible paint like acrylic latex is ideal for resisting cracking.
Wood doors: The biggest concern with wood doors is moisture damage, peeling, and wood grain bleeding through. Before painting wood, you’ll want to sand rough areas and fill cracks or holes. Use exterior wood primer with stain-blocking if knots or tannins are visible. Check for peeling every few years and repaint as needed to keep your garage door looking fresh.
Fiberglass doors: For fiberglass, the biggest concern is poor adhesion. Fiberglass is slick, which can make it difficult for paint to stick. Lightly sand the door to roughen up glossy areas, and use a bonding primer for best results. Some modern fiberglass doors are factory-finished. Check the manufacturer's guidelines before painting.
How to Paint a Garage Door Conclusion
Painting your garage door is a simple but effective way to boost your curb appeal and change up the look of your home. Even better, it’s a project you can take on in a weekend, even if you aren’t an expert painter.
But if you decide you’d rather have a pro handle the job, Spahr’s Painting can help. With our attention to detail and expertise, we provide results that look good and last for a long time. We serve customers all over Tucson and would love to talk to you about your next painting project.
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