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How to prep and paint a garage door

By Bunnings magazine /

A bicycle, surfing board, ball and a bag in front of a painted garage.

Make an impression

Garage doors tend to take up a big percentage of a house’s façade, so keeping them in good condition makes a big difference to the overall impression of your home.

Giving your garage door a fresh coat of quick-drying, self-priming paint with a hint of gloss helps to repel dirt, as well as freshening up its overall look. This easy D.I.Y. task can be done in one weekend. Be sure to choose a dry, still day to avoid debris blowing onto the wet surface while you’re working.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) and follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Clean the door and sand the grooves

    First things first, give the door a good clean. Brush both sides of the garage door with a cobweb broom. Remove any rust, loose paint and dirt with a wire brush. Use a sanding sponge to clean along the grooves; this will also help the paint stick to the surface.

    Sanding sponge on garage door.
  2. 2

    Clean with barbecue wipes

    Use barbecue wipes to remove any remaining dust and stubborn spots. Set up a ladder to work along the higher parts of the door, wiping along the top, down the sides and over the back.

    Barbecue wipe on garage door.
  3. 3

    Apply self-priming paint

    Place a drop sheet on the ground. Mask around the garage door’s handle, lock and down its sides with painter’s tape. Before applying the self-priming metal paint with a roller, use a 50mm angled paint brush to cut in around the tape.

    Angled brush with paint and painters tape on door.
  4. 4

    Paint two coats from the base up

    Drag a loaded 160mm roller along each groove, finishing the row by rolling back over the face. Work upwards from the base of the door and apply at least two coats, leaving the paint to dry after each coat.

    Roller with paint on grooves of garage door.
  5. 5

    Keep in mind…

    • Garage doors attract insects, so protect yourself by wearing gloves and closed footwear.
    • Always wear a mask and gloves when wire brushing and scraping paint.
    • Choose the right ladder for the job: make sure it has non-slip feet and set it up on a flat, stable, solid surface. Maintain three points of contact on the ladder at all times (for example, both feet and one hand) and make sure another person is nearby. Never stand on the top rung.
    • Paint colours may vary on application.
  6. 6

    Ready for more garage door updates?

    Check out our D.I.Y. guide on how to change the weather seal.

    Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

     

    Photo Credit: Natasha Dickins

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.