Being In Touch With Your Garage Door

Add exterior primer and paint to a plain, metal garage door with the following instructions. The primer and paint will give the door a fresh appearance and will protect the metal from corrosion if you use products that contain a rust inhibitor.

Materials

• scrub brush
• metal cleaner
• water hose
• lint-free cloth
• masking tape
• drop cloth
• dust mask
• paint sprayer
• exterior primer and paint 

Clean The Door 

Close and lock the garage door so that it does not open while you are completing each step. Remove dirt from the metal with a water hose. If any stains are present, loosen and remove them with metal cleaner and a scrub brush. Apply a liberal amount of the cleaner to the door and allow it to penetrate for a few minutes before moving the scrub brush over the door's surface. Rinse away the metal cleaner with plain water and wait for the door to dry. You can speed up the drying process by wiping the metal off with a lint-free cloth.

Add Tape To The Door And Apply Primer

Cover the ground in front of the door with a drop cloth. Place strips of masking tape over trim or hardware or around windows that are on the door. Put on a dust mask so that you do not breathe in the fumes that the primer and paint emits. The fumes can be harsh and irritate your nose or throat if they aren't protected. Fill a paint sprayer's tank with primer that is designed for exteriors. Select a product that contains a rust inhibitor to protect the metal surface.

Apply the primer evenly, beginning with the top of the door and working your way downwards. Wait for the primer to dry. If it is warm or humid outside, the primer may take longer to dry than it would if it were applied in cooler, dry weather.

Apply Paint

After the paint sprayer's tank has been emptied and cleaned, fill it up with exterior paint that contains a rust inhibitor. Select a color that complements the rest of the garage or that matches the color of your home. Apply an even coat of paint over the primer. Allow several hours for the paint to dry. Inspect the door after this occurs. If the primer is showing through the door's surface, add a second coat of paint. Do not remove the masking tape until after the paint dries.

The door will look newer and will add beauty to the garage. Keep the painted surface maintained by cleaning it with soapy water and a scrub brush and rinsing it off with a water hose. For more information on maintaining a garage door, contact a company like Jayton Door Corporation.