Updated July 2024 by Stephen Cochrane
If you’re planning exterior house painting, don’t overlook painting garage doors! Over time, the hot Perth sun and strong winds from the coast can really wear down the exterior of your home – especially the garage doors. And they’re often the first thing you see when you pull into your driveway, so if they’re faded, peeled and weathered, it can detract significantly from your home’s curb appeal.
The AJ Cochrane team have been Perth house painters for four generations so we understand how to paint garage doors to withstand the Perth climate. However, if you’re keen to DIY, there are a few things you need to do to ensure you get a long-lasting finish you’ll be happy with.
Read on for our top 7 tips for how to paint garage doors!
1. Put Safety First
Safety is always number one when it comes to prepping and painting your home. But garage door painting seems fairly low risk, right? Well, no.
You’d be surprised how many DIYers fall off ladders. Always ensure your ladder is secured in place before climbing up. Extra points for having a spotter. If your ladder doesn’t allow you to reach the top of the garage door easily, don’t go stretching from the top rung! Investing in a taller ladder is also an investment in your safety.
When you’re prepping and sanding down the garage door, always wear a dust mask to protect your nose and mouth, and goggles to protect your eyes. You’ll be sanding off rust and paint which can be really toxic. That also means keeping children and pets away while you’re working.
2. Choose the Right Paint
Even the most talented DIY painter can end up with a disappointing finish by choosing the wrong paint. Starting again is a nightmare you want to avoid so get it right the first time by choosing a good quality exterior paint that is suitable for your garage door.
There are several things to consider when choosing the right products for painting garage doors. If you’re unsure, it’s worth seeking advice from paint specialists. Your local paint shop staff should be able to guide you. Give them as much information as you can about your garage doors including;
- Whether your garage door is made of metal or wood.
- The direction your garage door is facing.
- The make of your garage door (search online and print out the product information).
- What kind of sheen level and finish you want to achieve – gloss, matte etc.
Be sure to ask for recommendations on primers and protective top coats. Outdoor painting must withstand Perth weather conditions so always choose products that will enhance the durability of your paintwork.
A word about buying paint: It’s important to buy enough paint for your project but volume can be tricky to estimate. A paint calculator can help. Try this one.
3. Prepare Properly for the Perfect Finish
If you want to achieve a finish that looks as though it was completed by professional Perth painters, then you’ll need to prep like professional Perth painting companies do!
Before you paint your garage door, you need an even and clean surface so that your paint sticks and the finish is crisp. The poorer the condition of your garage door surface, the more prep you need to do. Peeling paint and rust need to be sanded down.
But that’s not enough! Now you need to clean the surface. Follow these steps:
- Using a sponge or cloth and a bucket of soapy water, scrub down every inch of the garage door, all the way into the corners. You can opt for special cleaning products, but dishwashing liquid, water and elbow grease can be effective.
- Give the surface a good rinse. Use a pressure washer if you have one.
- Wash again! Years of dust, grease and grime build-up can be difficult to remove. It might seem time-consuming, but the cleaner your surface is, the better your final paintwork will look.
- Rinse thoroughly again.
- Dry the surface well. Use a towel that doesn’t shed fibres (when it comes time to paint, you want the surface to be completely clean).
- Cover handles and trimmings with painter’s tape in preparation for painting.
4. Check the Weather Forecast Before Painting Garage Doors
Painting outdoors is different to interior house painting. Weather can play a big role in the success of your paint job. Check out the weather forecast for the week ahead. You’ll need a couple of days in a row with clear weather.
Painting when it is too cold (below 10°C) can make paint feel thick and hard to work with. It will also take longer to dry and make it difficult to do your second coat. You don’t want to have to wait too long between coats as the surface could get dirty.
Painting when it is too hot (above 30°C) can cause the paint to dry too quickly. This can impact the paint finish in several ways including:
- Patchy or streaky paintwork
- Reduced paint durability and resistance
- Poor adhesion of paint film – especially from the garage door expanding from the heat
And don’t forget, painting in sweltering conditions is not optimal for you either!
Ideally, plan to paint on a warm and dry day. Be sure to read the paint tin for the recommended drying time between coats and factor this into the overall time your project will take.
5. Choose the Right Colour
This is the fun part. Of course, you can paint your garage door whatever colour you want, but there are some things you should consider.
- Cohesiveness: Think about your front yard and other outdoor areas. Does it fit a similar feel or colour scheme?
- Curb appeal: Does the colour feel welcoming and attractive in the neighbourhood? Does it complement the architectural style of your home?
- Heat: Temperature is a big concern in Perth. Consider avoiding dark colours like black, especially on metal garage doors, as it absorbs heat as opposed to lighter colours which reflect it.
- Neutrals: When in doubt, soft whites, beiges and light greys are always a safe choice.
6. Know When to Use a Paint Brush, Roller or Spray Gun
If you are experienced with a paint spray gun – go for it. You will know how awesome a sprayed surface can look. But just in case you’ve forgotten, don’t use it on a windy day. Those minuscule droplets of paint can travel a long way. Not only can that mess with other areas you DON’T want to paint, fresh paint can be unsafe for people, plants and animals around you.
For the average DIYer, the good old paintbrush and roller are the preferred tools. Always start your painting at a joint or natural break in the door and go top to bottom. When using a brush, follow the natural direction of the door sections. This helps reduce the chance of brushstroke marks.
Don’t forget the corners and in-between sections. You can raise and stop the garage door at a slight angle to make it easier to paint around the hinged corners.
7. Include Other Outdoor Painting Jobs
Painting is a big undertaking so when you go to the trouble of getting everything set up for painting garage doors, it makes sense to complete other smaller outdoor painting projects at the same time.
This may include:
- Patio painting
- Fences
- Cubbies
- Outdoor furniture
If you’re considering painting exterior bricks, read this first!
Time To Paint?
Feeling unsure about how to paint garage doors? That’s okay!
We have a bonus 8th tip: If you want the job done perfectly, call in the professional garage door painters! Perth Master Painters AJ Cochrane & Sons will help you choose the perfect paint colour and the most durable paint type. We’ll prep with professional equipment and paint with expertise! No stress, no hassle – just gorgeous freshly painted garage doors.
