Paint a garage door

Clean, mask, prime any bare patches, then paint your garage door in two coats for a lasting finish.

PGD-01Pick a dry, mild dayCheck the forecast. You want a dry day, ideally 10-25°C, with no rain expected for at least 4 hours after you finish each coat. Avoid painting in strong, direct sun - it dries the paint too fast and shows brush marks. Early morning or late afternoon in summer works well.

PGD-02Protect the surrounding areaLay a dust sheet on the drive underneath the door. Mask off hinges, handles, locks, any glass panels, and the brickwork or frame around the edges with masking tape and paper. Wear rubber gloves to keep paint off your hands.

1 each · Dust sheet

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 roll · Masking tape

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 roll · Masking paper

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 pair · Rubber gloves

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PGD-03Check the surface is properly preppedYour door should already be cleaned, sanded and rid of flaking paint. Wipe it down with a sugar soap solution to remove any dust and grease, then let it dry fully - a damp surface will trap moisture under the new paint and cause it to blister.

1 bottle · Sugar soap

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PGD-04Prime any bare patches - the method depends on the door materialSteel up-and-over door: any bare metal exposed by sanding needs a metal primer, or it will rust under the topcoat within months. Timber door: bare wood needs a wood primer to stop the paint soaking in unevenly. GRP (fibreglass) door: these usually come factory-primed, so only bare spots from heavy sanding need touching in - check the paint tin for a GRP-compatible primer.

0.5 litre · Metal primer

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

0.5 litre · Wood primer

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PGD-05Apply the first coatSteel doors take a satin or gloss exterior metal paint. Timber doors take an exterior wood paint such as satinwood or gloss. GRP doors need an exterior acrylic paint rated for GRP - check the tin, as the wrong type can peel. Use a brush for panel edges and mouldings, and a small foam roller for flat sections. Work top to bottom and keep a wet edge so you don't get overlap marks.

2.5 litre · Exterior metal paint

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

2.5 litre · Exterior wood paint

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Paintbrush

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Foam roller

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

PGD-06Let it dry, then apply a second coatCheck the tin for the recoat time - usually 4 to 16 hours depending on the paint and the weather. Once touch-dry and not tacky, apply a second, even coat the same way. Two coats give a much more durable finish than one thick one.

PGD-07Remove the masking and check the finishPeel off the masking tape while the paint is still slightly tacky if you can, as this gives the cleanest edge. If it's already fully dry, peel it slowly and carefully instead. Look over the door in daylight and touch up any missed spots with a small brush.

PGD-08Clean up and dispose of waste properlyClean brushes and rollers with water for water-based paint, or brush cleaner or white spirit for solvent-based paint. Never pour leftover paint, solvent or dirty rinse water down a drain or gully - it's against water company rules and can pollute watercourses. Let empty tins dry out and take them, along with any leftover paint, to your local recycling centre.

RULES

1 litre · White spirit

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

KNOW THE RULES

Don't pour paint, solvent or paint-rinse water down any drain - this breaches water company trade effluent rules and can pollute rivers. Take leftovers to a household waste recycling centre instead.

Some links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Save this as a project

Back to all guides