You will agree that garage door becomes a focal point for the visitors and passersby, to comment even about the interior of house. If garage door gives an unpleasing look it also creates a bad impression of whole of your house. The garage door is mainly exposed to open atmosphere and changing weather conditions thus more susceptible to rust due to moisture and rain. Painting will not only improve its look but will increase its life as well. If you have decided for facelift of your house, it will do wonders for the whole of the house as well. Hence it should not be ignored at all and properly renovated.
Time Factor:
You may select some suitable date for painting, keeping in view the under noted two points:
- A moderate temperature is required to dry the paint appropriately.
- Better to start the painting early in the morning so that the whole process may be completed in time for your convenience.
Surface Preparation:
You may like it or not but sanding is inevitable for glory of the paint. Start sanding the metallic door and its hinges, handles , locks etc. Choose medium or high graded sand papers for this purpose according to the condition of surface of the metal. Make sure that entire surface should have been sanded properly. This whole process will make the surface rough and will enable paint to stick with it firmly.
Proper Cleaning :
Spray the gate with speedy water you may use some power shower or use garden pipe inserting a narrow nozzle in it to build up pressure. This will remove all kinds of dirt, stains, residue and grime. Now, vigorously scrub the entire surface with abrasive sponge soaked with detergent and then wash it again with water. Let the gate, get dry for the next process.
Primer Coat:
Primer coat though it is not compulsory but works as adhesive material between paint and the metallic sheet of the door and produces better results. It becomes necessary if you drastically change color of the gate from too much dark to light one. Use a primer that is suited for outdoor use. Before applying the coat spread some news paper beneath the gate to avoid it from paint stains. Moreover cover up those areas, with masking tape, which are not going to be painted. Apply one coat of primer, use brush on corners and smaller portion and roller on wide areas of the door. You may use the step ladder when applying coat on the out of reach areas of gate, better someone hold it for safety purpose. Wait until the paint gets dried and becomes ready for final painting.
Paint Coat:
Two layers of paint will be sufficient. Apply first coat initially when it dries up, give the second one and leave the door till it again gets dried. Remove the newspaper and masking tapes etc. Now your door will look as if it is a brand new one.
Safety tips during Painting Process:
The following points needs your special attention.
- Your working tools are in order and in proper condition.
- Your protection is absolutely necessary, keep yourself safe wearing gloves, goggles and face mask to protect yourselves. The dust, removed during surface preparation, includes lead and may prove harmful during inhaling. The direct exposure of skin to the paints may cause skin infections.
- Keep children and animals away from the working area to avoid their exposure with paints.
