Paint For Garage Doors - The Ultimate Guide
Keeping on top of the appearance of your garage door is a sure-fire way of giving your house that consistent kerb appeal. Garage doors are no exception, and are front and centre for all to see. In this guide we are going to cover what paint is best to use on garage doors, how to paint them and answer some of the most common questions regarding painting garage doors.
Can You Paint Garage Doors?
Yes, you can paint garage doors, the good news is that any garage door surface material is suitable to be painted, as long as it is prepared properly. However, as will be discussed, different surfaces require alternative products in order to create the greatest adhesion possible to the surface of the garage door. It is important to remember that there are a broad range of possible materials that are used for garage doors, including galvanised steel, metal, UPVC and wood, which all require different solutions. Each material must be prepped differently according to the surface’s properties, understanding this early on will provide a longer lasting finish and minimise your maintenance of the door.
Another factor to consider when painting your garage door is weatherproofing, with the exterior at the front of the house it will exposed to the elements at a consistent basis, using the correct paint and primer combination will ensure the material is protected and will avoid rain and other damage from weather.
What Paint To Use For Garage Doors
Deciding on what paint to use for garage doors as previously mentioned will require deliberation as different materials will need varying paint to complete an adequate adhesion process to the selected material.
Paint for Metal Garage Doors
When deciding what paint to use metal garage doors, it is important to ensure that the paint you opt for can adhere to metal. This is usually provided in the form of primers, that can provide added adhesion and protection against rust, although some paints are self-priming.
The best exterior metal paint in the opinion of our experts is Combicolor Metal Paint, which is a specialist, solvent-based high-quality metal paint that offer long-lasting protection to exterior metal, without the need for a primer. This being said, Rust-Oleum offer a number of primers that provide added durability and protection from rust, such as their 3369/3380 Combicolor Anti Corrosion Primer.
The added bonus of Combicolor Metal Paint it is available in almost any colour, meaning you can get creative and personalise your garage doors exactly how you want them.
Paint for UPVC Garage Doors
UPVC garage doors are a cost effective, low maintenance form of garage door that is often a type of surface that homeowners are worried to paint. The reality is painting UPVC can be done easily using a multi-surface exterior paint such as Zinsser Allcoat Exterior.
Zinsser Allcoat Exterior is one of the best paints for UPVC garage doors, among a whole range of other surfaces that it can also be applied to, such as metal, wood & masonry. The benefits of Zinsser Allcoat are endless, as it can be mixed in any colour and is available in matt, gloss and satin finishes, meaning you can achieve any look you desire. Furthermore, as a water-based paint, it is recoatable in just one hour, does not require a primer and lasts up to 15 years on any surface.
Why not take a look at a full range of paint for UPVC?
Paint for Wooden Garage Doors
Wood is another surface material used for garage doors, popularised by the homely, rustic look it provides. Typically, wooden garage doors are used for the addition of a workshop/garage not as commonly seen in the UK, however they add some character to the home. Paint used for wooden garage doors comes in both water-based and oil-based forms. While multi-surface paints can be used on wood, using a paint specifically designed for wood surface may be the wisest option.
The paint you opt for depends on what finish you want to achieve, with varnishes, stains and paints all offering different looks for exterior wood. While a varnish enhanced the natural look of the wood without changing the colour, a wood stain can stain the wood in a number of colours, while paint creates a completely opaque coloured finish. We would recommend going for a wood treatment from the Sadolin range, that all offer excellent protection for exterior wood.
Sadolin Superdec is the best option for painting a wooden garage door, if you are looking for a solid colour finish. Available in any colour due its ability to be tinted, this is self-priming and highly durable. The paint erodes naturally by weathering, catering to the wooden surface as it helps it resists peeling and flaking of the paint.
If you would like a less bold use of colour on your wooden garage doors, Sadolin Classic is the best option.
How to Paint a Garage Door
- Before painting your garage door, preparation is key to make sure your surface will adhere the selected paint effectively. Depending on the surface different methods may be more suitable to prepare the surface. Using a wire brush to rub down a metal garage door would be most useful to remove any rust collected. Sandpaper would be the ideal option for UPVC surfaces and especially for wooden garage doors to eliminate any flaking of the wood and create a key for the paint to adhere.
- After preparing the door, washing it with soapy water is a must, this will eradicate any dust or additional features on the surface. No matter the surface, ensure it is completely clean before progressing, as dirt and paint do not go well together!
- While waiting for the garage door to dry, make sure nothing is obstructing your ability to paint the garage door
- If you are opting to use a primer for added durability, first prime the door with the appropriate primer, applying an even single coat of the primer and leaving to dry for a few years, or for the amount of time advised buy the manufacturer.
- Ensure all objects that you do not want to paint are covered. Wrapping newspaper around these objects is an easy and eco-friendly way to do this.
- Begin painting from the top of the garage door working your way down with plenty of application. Give the garage door a thin first coat of paint if you are using a two-coat paint, and leave to dry completely. If you are using a one-coat paint, ensure you apply an even, but more substantial coating as you do not want any blotchiness.
- Apply the second-coat of paint, ensuring there are no gaps and variances in the thickness of the layer.
FAQ's
Q. How much paint is needed to cover garage?
Most standard two-car garage doors will only need 5L of paint, which will provide two to three solid coats.
Q. Can you repaint a garage door?
All of the paints we have mentioned can be painted on to previously painted surfaces, exception Sadolin Classic as this is a stain and not a paint. Simply ensure that the previous paint is sound and not peeling. If it is peeling, then remove any paint that is peeling and continue the process.
Q. How much does it cost to paint you garage?
Based on a standard garage door that will require a 5L tin of paint, it will only cost a matter of £50 for the paint you require and the equipment to paint.
We hope this has answered any questions you may have had regarding painting your garage doors. If you require any more help, just send an email to the team at hello@paintersworld.co.uk. At Painters World we have a wide range of paints & decorating supplies available, so no matter the job, we've got the right tools for you.
