Keeping your paint job fresh on your wooden garage door is important for two reasons: health and beauty. A chipping faded garage door looks terrible. It not only reflects poorly on the aesthetics of your home, but can actually bring down your property values. Chipped and peeling paint can also expose the wood of your garage door to the elements, leading to early decay.
The good news is a paint job is an easy DIY garage repair you can do yourself with a couple buckets of paint and a few hours.
Remove the Old Paint
First, remove the flaking, peeling paint with a scraper, as well as any rotten areas in the wood. Fill or patch any holes with wood fiber. If there are areas that have rotten away considerably, you may consider new panels or replacing the garage door with a new one altogether.
Apply a Primer Before Painting to Protect the Paint and Door
Before you start applying the fresh coat of paint, apply a primer to the wooden garage door. The primer acts as a prep layer that helps the paint adhere to the surface. It provides an additional protective barrier against moisture, sunlight, and other elements. It also helps to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture, reducing the chances of decay and warping over time. To apply the primer, use a paintbrush or roller and make sure to cover the entire door evenly. Allow the primer to dry completely according to instructions before moving on to the next step.
Getting Down to Business
Make sure your paint is mixed well before beginning. Pour a portion of the paint into a painting cup or roller slab and begin applying it to the door. Start with upper panels and work towards the recessed region of the door.
Pro Tip: Slide cardboard or a drop cloth under the door before you begin to catch any paint drips. Add masking tape to any edges you don’t want painted.