One of the questions we get a lot of from people is, “how do I Paint my garage door?” The right paint can also give your Garage Door The Illusion of Being Larger. While you can always hire a professional to do the job, you can save a few bucks by doing it yourself. Fortunately, it isn’t as challenging or labor-intensive as some people imagine.

Your paint of choice will need to be semi-gloss or mat latex, which is a water-based paint that’s used to mainly cover up imperfections in the metal. To ensure the perfect finish, you will want to use a brittle synthetic brush to contour the raised panel and a 4” or 10cm roller.

You should be able to find the paint at most branded paint stores, and they have a color measurement instrument that can be used to find the right color formula. All you need is to take a sample of the color with you to the store so that you can get one exactly like it.

The same can be vinyl or PVC or maybe fiber cement siding. You can even go super simple and choose a color strip from any of the best brands available.

The steps we will go into are going to remain the same for whatever brand of paint you choose. That said, we strongly urge you to read the entire article before attempting to paint your garage door.

If you have PVC overlays (white), then follow these steps

If you have PVC overlays (white), then follow these steps

How To Paint Your Garage Door:

  • The first step would be to wash every section using trisodium phosphate, which will help eliminate any grease and oil residue and chalking. Then rinse the door until the water that runs looks clear. Later dry the door to prep it for the next step.
  • The second step is to roughen the surface of every section, starting with 220-grit sandpaper to create a good adhesive surface. You will want to stay away from using steel wool. Make sure to eliminate dust with a vacuum or a tack cloth.
  • You will then want to use a primer coat if the enamel has been stripped off and bare steel is visible or if you see some rust. In these cases, you will want to use zinc phosphate primer or maybe Benjamin More series 163. Then give it 16 hours to completely dry before painting.
  • Finally, apply two finishing coats of latex paint of any color you choose.

Painting Township Collection Doors sing Decorative PVC Overlays:

You start with all the steps above to deal with the steel part of the door.

Painting Township Collection Doors sing Decorative PVC Overlays

Painting Township Collection Doors sing Decorative PVC Overlays

If you have PVC overlays (white), then follow these steps:

  • Now before you paint PVC surfaces, ensure that the surface is prepared and then cleaned, removing chalk, dirt, oil, and mildew using a diluted solution of trisodium phosphate, in addition to the steel portions. Finally, consult with the product manufacturer for instructions.
  • Later rinse with clear water and allow the door to dry completely.
  • In the end-use a high-quality paint like 100% acrylic latex exterior house paint.

Things to keep in mind

Using dark colors means that the garage door will absorb lots of radiant heat from the sun, making it hot. You don’t want to paint a raised PVC overlay using paint that has a light reflectance of under 56.

Repainting it will void the garage door’s lifetime warranty. Also, don’t repaint PVC overlays of Township Collection doors.