<p style="text-align: justify;">It may seem like a simple process, but that doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean it will be. Garage doors are similar to the kinds of material that make up siding and more, but it&#8217;s not identical. Some paints work much better for exterior purposes rather than interior and vice versa. A <strong>garage door</strong> is going to require exterior paint to weather the conditions of the climate. If you don&#8217;t get the right paint, expect flaking and more. Things like the quality of paint job are also going to come into play, so don&#8217;t forget those either. Below is a summary how to paint just about any kind of door, regardless of its size, and complexity.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Choose Your Paint and Begin</strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Before starting, obtain garage door paint that can handle the environmental and climatic conditions of your location. Essentially, grab some exterior paint in the color of your choice. Some come with primer applied in directly. Depending on the budget, either buy the primer separately (some argue this results in a much better finish) and apply it yourself or spend the extra money for a 2 in 1 paint and primer. Avoid interior latex paint as it will simply degrade over time. Next, mix your paint and prep brushes. You&#8217;ll need these for the garage trim and door accents. Don&#8217;t forget painter&#8217;s tape or masking tape, which can be found in the same area in most hardware stores.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Top Down</strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The best way to paint something is the top-down method. First, seal the edges you don&#8217;t want to mess up in the wrong paint with masking tape. Painter&#8217;s tape is a little more expensive and does the job somewhat better than its cheaper older brother. Using a brush (the polyester kind works great here), paint the trim in slow, steady strokes. Modern paint has additives that fight odd looking strokes, but you still want to paint evenly across the area. Next, grab your paint bucket and rollers. Depending on the type of material will either need a rough style roller or one designed for semi-smooth surfaces.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Apply ample paint to the roller and roll evenly across the garage door paneling. This will take the longest aside from prep work and require more than one coat. Once you&#8217;ve finished several coats, take time to let it cure and dry for a few hours. Come back and repeat the process again if you feel it necessary. Also note exterior sealants can be purchased that lock in the paint and prevent it from falling victim to water damage. They&#8217;re typically a bit more expensive, but can be bought by the five gallon bucket. Check your local hardware store to see if they have any. If possible, buy something with a sealant already in it and tint it to the color of your desire. Aside from letting it dry and a good clean up, the job is done!</p>

Painting Your Garage Door
