Owning a home is an investment. Whether you plan to spend the rest of your life in your house or are definitely looking to sell, you never know what will happen down the road. That’s why it’s always a good idea to work toward enhancing the property value, especially when the work is cheap. The exterior of your home is the first thing people see, which makes it one of the most important factors in maximizing your curb appeal, and thus your property value. Solid paint jobs on Germantown garage doors are the kinds of initiatives that can turn a home’s exterior from looking moderately nice to being a must-buy-now. Here’s your very own amateur’s guide to making your Germantown garage doors paint job look professional.
Step 1: Check The Weather
This is crucial. Obviously, you don’t want the rain washing off all your hard work as soon as you finish it. But that’s not the only factor. Temperature should also play into your planning. Ideally, you want to shoot for half a week’s worth of 50 to 70 degree weather, give or take. The less humid the better, as moisture will slow the drying process.
Step 2: Gather Your Stuff
The right tools can make a world of difference. Pick up your paint along with a primer from the store. Ask an expert at the store about what kinds of paints and primers go best with your door. Modern doors are typically made of aluminum, although the older ones are wood. Depending on what kind of door you have, you should select between one and several options. Moreover, if you’re looking to apply a light color over a dark one, you’ll need extra coats. But for your standard, all white two-car garage, about a gallon of paint should be more than enough.
You’ll also want to have the following:
- 2-inch paint brush with nylon bristles
- ¾ inch roller
- dependable pair of safety goggles
- dust mask
- gloves
- wire brush
- sand paper
- sponge
- door cleaner solution
- drop cloth.
Step 3: Prep
Okay, so now you’re ready to get started. Go ahead and smooth out the door using your wire brush so there’s no rust, jagged splinters, or chipped spots. Then sand the areas that you caught your attention with sand paper to make it even. Then wash it with your sponge and cleaner solution. Make sure you’ve got your gloves on, just in case you happen to run over any splinters or jagged edges.
Once it’s nice and smooth, rinse the door down with water, using a hose or bucket of water and let it dry for about an hour. You can also wipe it down with a towel to speed up the drying process. Once it’s all dried up, lay a drop cloth for the inside and outside of the garage so you don’t track paint onto your driveway or inside the garage. If you’re going to paint the trim then tape the edges.
Step 4: Priming
Start priming the inset panels and the stiles with your paintbrush and roller respectively. As a side tip, keep the door at a height so that the area that you’re painting is at eye-level. If you have an electric powered door, be sure to disengage it before starting, as this will allow you manual power of the door’s position. Now you won’t have to keep bending over in uncomfortable positions and walking away with a sore back for the rest of the week. Let the prime dry for at least twelve hours.
Step 5: Painting
Paint from bottom to top using your roller. Start with the inner panels and then work your way to the outside. Make sure to take a few steps back periodically to make sure you haven’t missed anything. In addition to missed areas, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for uneven sections. The goal is to get it as smooth and even as possible. Seeing the garage from a distance makes it easier to spot sections that need extra attention. Then let the door dry overnight.
A newly painted garage door not only looks nice, but it also makes it more durable, as a fresh coat of paint makes it more resistant to the elements. Especially with older wooden doors, a paint job can make a world of difference, as the years are hard on the wood. Without proper maintenance it’s only a matter of time before it rots.
But what’s the point of painting a door that you think won’t even last you? If you think your home could use some new editions, a new garage door could be just the thing. To learn more about how to get your new and improved Germantown garage doors installed, contact Hudson Valley Overhead Doors at (845) 876 2772.